"My Side of the Room" — Spatial Identity in Shared Dormitories

In a world where personal space is often limited, especially in residential schools, the concept of spatial identity becomes a silent but powerful expression of individuality. “My side of the room” is more than a claim over a bunk or a desk—it’s a reflection of personality, habits, and unspoken rules between roommates.

In a Girls boarding school in Bangalore, students who stay for extended hours often observe how shared spaces evolve with time. While they may not sleep overnight, their lockers, shared study areas, and even benches reveal subtle marks of ownership and identity. In full-time residential dorms, these expressions are even more visible.

What Is Spatial Identity?

Spatial identity refers to how individuals personalize and emotionally connect with the space they occupy. In dormitories where two or more students live together, each person begins to shape “their side” using cues like:

  • Placement of personal belongings

  • Choice of bedding or posters

  • Preferred lighting or seating

  • Books, gadgets, or photos kept within reach

These elements create a miniature version of comfort and self within a shared world.

How It Begins

When students first enter a dorm, everything feels neutral—clean, organized, and uniform. But slowly, items begin to find a place. One child may hang a cricket jersey on the wall, another might line books alphabetically on a shelf. Over time, the division of space becomes unofficially permanent.

  • First-week phase: Students start observing each other’s habits and carve out invisible boundaries.

  • Adjustment period: Negotiation over shared shelves, fan speed, or light timings takes place.

  • Stabilization: Eventually, a silent agreement forms. Each side reflects its occupant’s world.

Emotional Anchors of Space

Students often bring small items from home—pillows, soft toys, or photo frames. These are not just for decoration. They offer emotional security. The smell of a pillowcase or the sight of a family picture helps anchor the child in a new environment.

Some dorm rooms show a clear line—one side colorful and full of stickers, the other neatly stacked and minimal. These contrasts don’t just represent taste; they mirror personalities. One may be extroverted and expressive, the other calm and private.

Unwritten Rules Between Roommates

In shared dorms, communication is not always verbal. Respect for space is often guided by silent agreements:

  • Don’t sit on my bed without asking.

  • My charger is not communal property.

  • Don’t move my books.

These “rules” are learned through daily interaction, often leading to stronger roommate bonds when respected, or silent friction when crossed.

Role of Schools in Maintaining Harmony

Schools play a vital role in helping students understand and respect personal boundaries. Wardens and house parents guide newcomers on how to share spaces respectfully. Some schools even encourage students to personalize their space within limits, allowing emotional grounding while maintaining discipline.

Weekly room inspections, chore rotations, and group activities subtly instill respect for shared environments. By giving children ownership and responsibility, schools turn dormitories into training grounds for future co-living experiences.

Why Spatial Identity Matters

Understanding and establishing spatial identity at a young age has lasting effects:

  • Encourages responsibility: Students care more for their belongings and surroundings.

  • Fosters independence: Organizing their side of the room helps build daily routines.

  • Builds empathy: Living with others and navigating shared spaces teaches emotional intelligence.

This small personal corner becomes the foundation for life skills—negotiation, collaboration, respect, and self-discipline.

Something to Think About

In every shared dormitory, the story of “my side of the room” is written quietly. Through clothes hung on a chair, books beside the bed, or the way a desk is arranged, students create identity within a common ground. It’s a silent journey of growing up, understanding others, and discovering oneself.

Over time, they may leave the dorm, but the habit of creating personal identity in shared spaces remains a lifelong lesson. From college hostels to workspaces and homes, the skill of claiming space with respect for others becomes an asset far beyond school life.

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