Community bathrooms tend to evoke the image of high school PE class where everyone had to use the dreaded group showers. Let’s be honest… that was the worst.
But I can assure you that modern-day college community bathrooms are not like that at all.
In fact, at many schools they are probably cleaner than private bathrooms, simply because they are cleaned daily — sometimes even multiple times a day. That’s one less thing your student has to worry about, and one less thing for roommates to argue about.
And if you’ve ever dealt with messy roommates, you know that’s a big win.
Community Bathrooms Can Actually Save You Money
One benefit parents don’t always think about is the money you save.
When your child has a community bathroom, they usually don’t have to supply things like:
- Toilet paper
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper towels
- Shower curtains
- Bath mats
That adds up quickly over a school year.
I remember when my son had a semi-private bathroom his freshman year that he shared with his suitemates. Out of all eight boys, my son was the only one who ever bought or replaced the toilet paper and paper towels.
He used to get so frustrated — and honestly, I didn’t blame him.
One time he decided he just wouldn’t replace it to see what would happen.
No one replaced it.
Eventually he broke down and bought more. Typical college boys, right?
That experience alone made me appreciate the simplicity of community bathrooms where everything is stocked and cleaned regularly.
The Must-Have Items for Community Bathrooms
If your student is living in a dorm with a community bathroom, there are just a few essentials they’ll need.
1. A Good Bathrobe
A bathrobe is a must.
Your student will want something comfortable to wear while walking from the shower back to their dorm room to get dressed. Dorm hallways can be chilly, so a soft, absorbent robe makes the walk back much more comfortable.
It can also be a fun part of dorm life — they can choose a robe that matches their dorm colors or fits their personality.
2. Shower Slides or Shower Shoes
Slides or shower shoes are essential for one main reason: preventing athlete’s foot or other fungus.
Even though the floors are cleaned regularly, it’s still smart not to take the risk.
When choosing shower shoes, make sure they have:
- Good grip on the bottom so they aren’t slippery
- Drainage holes so water can escape
- Rubber or PVC material (not fabric)
Once your student gets back to their room, they should place their shower shoes somewhere ventilated so they can dry completely and avoid mold or mildew.
3. A Shower Caddy
A shower caddy makes everything easier.
Students can keep all their shower essentials in one place and simply grab the caddy and head to the bathroom.
Typical items inside a shower caddy include:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Razor
- Face wash
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
It keeps things organized and prevents constant trips back and forth to the dorm room.
If you’re trying to stay organized during the whole college prep process — from packing lists to dorm planning — I actually created a Mom’s College Prep Binder Kit to help keep everything in one place. It includes planning pages, packing lists, and sections to track everything you need before move-in day.
Trust me, when you’re juggling dorm lists, orientation information, and tuition paperwork, having it all organized in one binder makes life a lot easier.
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Privacy Is Usually Not a Problem
One of the biggest worries students have about community bathrooms is privacy.
In reality, most people are just doing their own thing and not paying attention to anyone else.
Students also tend to find times when the bathroom is quieter.
For example, my son liked to shower late at night. He would often go around midnight and have the whole bathroom to himself — basically like having a private bathroom anyway.
My Daughter Said “Never”… Until She Didn’t
When my daughter started looking at colleges, she had a very strong opinion.
Her number one rule was:
“No schools with community bathrooms.”
It was a deal breaker.
But guess what?
She ended up choosing a school where ten girls share a community bathroom.
The school was such a perfect fit that she decided the bathroom situation wasn’t worth giving up the opportunity.
And honestly, she’s embracing the experience.
Plus, we save money because we don’t need to buy things like shower curtains, bath mats, or toilet paper.
Community Bathrooms Build Life Skills
At the end of the day, sharing a bathroom is just another small part of the college experience.
Students learn:
- Sharing
- Patience
- Flexibility
- Resilience
And someday they’ll probably look back and laugh about it.
So if community bathrooms are making you or your student nervous, take a deep breath.
They’re really not that bad at all.
Most students quickly realize that everyone is simply focused on their own routine, and no one is paying attention to anyone else.
Take a leap of faith — it will all work out just fine.
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