Special Edition Spring 2023: Unpacking Personal Space in College

Photo by Sophie Gibson

By Leah Keith

When people think about personal space, they often refer to physical distance between themselves and others in public. However, personal space can mean much more than just physical distance, especially in the context of college. During a time when we are constantly surrounded by our peers, having your own space can be crucial for a person’s well-being. Natalie Nemes ‘24 (English, she/her) says, “Having space physically means having a place where I feel comfortable being alone. It’s a safe haven where I can rest and recharge.”

Transition to college

In college, students often find themselves living in close quarters with others, such as in dorms or shared apartments. Although students may gain independence and personal space by moving out of their parent’s house, sharing a room with a roommate may mean that you have less physical space to yourself than you’re used to at home. Jasmine Koch ‘25 (Public Health and Public Policy, she/her) discusses this dilemma of personal space in college.

“I would say that I have both gained and lost personal space,” Koch says. “In the physical dimension, I live with a roommate in the dorms so there is less tangible space but in the mental or emotional dimension, I think I have gained lots of personal space for the way I perceive myself, others, and other societal topics of discussion.”

Significance of space

As Koch mentions, college can give students the space to grow, but certain physical spaces might either encourage or hinder that growth. Liz Bolsoni ‘23 (Communication Studies, she/they) studies how that concept relates to spaces on campus in her current honors project. “My project uses a collaborative autoethnography approach to document and map how students engage with spaces on campus,” Bolsoni says. “Through interviews, photography and website creation, I collect and compare representations of spaces on campus where students feel safe versus censored.”

Bolsoni goes on to explain the significance of space within their life and how their unique positionality and experiences impact their relationship with space. “I myself am a first generation immigrant/adoptee, and a lot of my personal journey in relearning language and culture are intimately related to space,” Bolsoni says. “On a larger scale, me and so many of my colleagues’ experiences have been shaped largely by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community’s space has been disrupted in really significant ways, both intentionally and in unplanned circumstances.”

Navigating boundaries

Although the pandemic greatly hindered people’s ability to socialize, many college students still managed to form friendships with each other despite the challenging circumstances. For many, college can be a great opportunity to expand your social circle, meet new people and step outside your comfort zone. “I live with my friends, so there’s never an unwanted lonely moment,” says Fern Schiffer ‘25 (English, any pronouns). While forming these relationships, it is important to set boundaries, such as communicating your preferences, being assertive about your needs and respecting others’ boundaries as well.

College students might also experience social burnout from constantly being surrounded by their peers, so it is crucial to prioritize your needs before getting too overwhelmed. “I’ve learned to recognize when I need to take a step back and watch Netflix in my room and be alone,” Nemes says. “Spending every minute of every day around other people is never good for anyone. It’s important to take time for yourself.”

Understanding your own personal space is crucial for maintaining a sense of autonomy and well-being in college. By recognizing the importance of personal space and balancing time spent alone with time spent socializing, college students can create a healthy and supportive environment for themselves and others.