Not Your Average Dorm
It's been a little more than a month since I completely moved out of my first-year dorm, and I've been feeling nostalgic. So I figured there's no better time to reflect on what it was like living at the Courts at Professors Row 95, Tufts’ most unconventional first-year residence hall.
When my housing assignment came in over the summer, I was kind of confused. "The Courts at Professors Row 95” didn't ring any bells, so I immediately texted my friends who were also heading to Tufts and they reminded me about the buildings constructed on tennis courts back in 2022. Unlike the traditional multi-story residential halls, the Courts were originally built as quarantine housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of the three buildings is essentially one long hallway from end to end, with bedrooms, common spaces, and bathrooms lining the central walkway.
My initial reaction wasn't exactly excitement. But then I found out the Courts are the only first-year residential hall on campus with air conditioning, and suddenly I was pretty stoked. A scroll through the Tufts First-Year Undergraduate Housing website, which has plenty of photos of the rooms, only added to my excitement.
Move-in day arrived and, since I was participating in TWO, a pre-orientation program, I got there before my roommate. Walking in for the first time, my first thought was simply that this is actually really nice. The room had everything you'd expect: a bed, desk, chair, closet, and two drawers. The layout also felt just right. Not too cramped and not overly spacious. Most importantly, that air conditioning was a lifesaver in the August heat.
What I grew to really appreciate about the Courts was the layout I'd initially been skeptical of. That single long hallway meant you inevitably crossed paths with pretty much everyone in your building at some point, which made it surprisingly easy to put faces to names early on. The location was another bonus. Sitting right around the middle of campus, you're never far from where you need to be, and the dining halls are a quick walk away.
Looking back after a full school year, I can genuinely say I loved my time at the Courts. Sure, like any residence hall, it had its downsides. But a few close friends living in the same building made it feel like home, and I think that’s really what made the difference. At the end of the day, your first-year housing experience is largely what you make of it, and the Courts gave me plenty to work with.