Question: I know that this is a really dumb question, and I'm sorry for taking your time because of it, but I don't know who else to ask. I'm afraid that if I asked it in a college interview, the admissions person would think I was spoiled or lazy but I'm really not. I help out around the house a lot, I always mow the lawn, and I really want to dorm when I start college, but I just can't stand the thought of cleaning someone else's toilet.

Over the Christmas vacation, I was talking to another girl from my high school who is in college now. She mentioned that she cleans the bathroom in her college dorm. Now I can't stop thinking about that and wondering if it's normal for college students to clean bathrooms. I'm worried that it's something I just can't do. Even in my own house, it makes me gag to clean the toilet. I don't mind cleaning the bathtub or the kitchen sink, but I can't bring myself to touch the toilet, even the one that is mainly used by just me. So when I get to college, will I be expected to do this? Does this happen at every college or at most?

This is the second time today that “The Dean" has received a “dumb" question that really isn't dumb at all. College life can seem very confusing and overwhelming to someone who hasn't yet experienced it, and asking questions beforehand—even those that feel silly or awkward—is really a wise way to prepare and not stupid in the least.

Fortunately for you, toilet cleaning is not usually a mandatory part of college life. The typical college freshman lives in a dormitory room with a bathroom on the hallway, and that bathroom is serviced by professional janitorial staff. Sometimes, however, freshmen live in suites (a cluster of two or more rooms sharing one or more bathrooms). Commonly, residents of suites are responsible for bathroom maintenance.

However, the majority of colleges that offer suite-style residences for freshmen will usually offer a more traditional dorm option (with hallway bathrooms) as well. Yet even if you were to live in a suite where residents are expected to clean the latrine, you could probably beg your suite-mates to take over this duty if you take on other unwelcome responsibilities (e.g., laundry, dishwashing) in exchange.

Some students who hold “work-study" jobs as part of their financial aid “package," may have the option of serving on a maintenance crew and could encounter the dreaded toilets, but this situation is both infrequent and avoidable because students—even freshmen–do have some leeway when it comes to selecting a work-study assignment.

However, after your freshman or sophomore year—which is when traditional dorms are most popular—you may be more likely to land in a suite or in an apartment, either on-campus or off-campus. In those situations, you will have to clean your own toilet or cajole your roommates into doing it. (Or you could endure a bathroom that will not thrill your friends–and, especially, your parents!–when they visit.)

Being able to tackle unpleasant but not truly heinous tasks, like toilet scrubbing, can help you to navigate your colleges years and adult life beyond. So it wouldn't be a bad idea if you try to find your comfort zone at the comfort station before you leave home. But, if not, all you need to do is to research housing options at the colleges you're considering and, if traditional dorms are available, you can probably bypass the dreaded commode-cleaning. And don't give up on a top-choice college just because only suite-style living is offered. Instead, just start saving your money so that you can bribe your roomies with pizzas or double lattes when it's your turn to sweeten the potty. 😉