LOUD FACETIME ARGUMENTS WITH PARENTS—ON SPEAKER.

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We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That distinct, disembodied voice echoing through the thin dorm walls, a parent on speakerphone, every emotional crescendo and parental query broadcast for the entire floor. It wasn't just noise; it was an intimate, unfiltered soundtrack to our collective college experience. Whether it was a discussion about grades, future plans, or the perennial question of why you hadn’t called them sooner, these conversations became an involuntary part of the dorm's soundscape.

Remember trying to focus on a challenging problem set while simultaneously absorbing the full dramatic arc of a family financial discussion happening two doors down? Or the awkward silence that would descend when someone’s parent launched into a particularly personal anecdote, audible to everyone in the communal study lounge? It was a strange blend of public spectacle and intensely private moments, a unique form of sound pollution that became an almost iconic feature of our living situations.

These moments, for all their occasional annoyance, built a strange sort of community. We developed an unspoken code, a shared understanding of boundaries—or the lack thereof—that only true dorm life veterans could comprehend. For those of you currently navigating the daily symphony of the residence halls, you know exactly what we mean. And for those who have walked these hallowed grounds before, a wry smile and a nod of recognition are probably forming right now. It wasn't just noise; it was part of the beautiful, chaotic, unforgettable tapestry of our formative years.