According to dictionary.com, obsessive-compulsive disorder is “a psychoneurotic disorder in which the patient is beset with obsessions or compulsions…” I’ve never been clinically diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, but I know I have it.

I discovered this in the dorm.

At Baptist Bible College, we have the daily routine of “room-checks.” One of the resident assistants (RAs) of each section of dorm rooms will check every room for certain levels of order and cleanliness. Guys’ dorms are less strict about this daily routine than girls’ dorms (go-figure), but the daily room checks still take place.

If you fail to meet the specific criteria for cleanliness, you receive a “check” for that category – the most minute form of discipline imaginable. Eventually you can wind up getting a “point,” and then you can wind up getting a financial fine for multiple “points.” Without describing the more intricate details of the disciplinary system here at BBC, let’s just say there are multiple levels for room checks – the pinnacle of which is a financial fine,  then moving down to multiple points, then moving down to a point, then moving down to multiple checks in one week’s time, then moving down to one check – the smallest thing you could imagine.

In three and a half years in the dorm, I only received 2 checks.

This is basically unheard of and should merit some kind of financial reward (which I’m still waiting for). And – keep in mind – I did this with roommates too. (We won’t mention that my one roommate for 3 semesters was OCD just like I am). Regardless, I discovered my OCD problem in the dorm. My books always had to be stacked in order from shortest to tallest. Everything on my desk had to be arranged perfectly. On top of all this, I also discovered how incredibly minimalistic I am (but that is for another blog).

So, when you get to college, do you think you’ll be OCD? It’s something to think about…