How are college dorms paid?

I think it depends on the college. My school had a payment plan option. I got a scholarship which ran out my very last semester so I had to pay $200 out of pocket. It was very reasonable but my school literally told me I had until the end of the semester to pay it. I paid it a month before my graduation without any additional fees. My school was willing to work to with me as long as I told them what was going on. I didn't even have to meet with them in their office. I just called them and told them and they put a note on my account. 

no you pay for them yourself

Tuition, room and board are paid together, in whatever way the college requires of the student--paying in advance of each semester makes the most sense.  If a student is going to live off campus, room and board are not part of the equation, and tuition is the only payable.

In the US, you typically send in one payment for the entire semester, or for the entire academic year, in advance.  They don't want to get involved in trying to evict you if you start missing monthly payments, or trying to find someone to replace you if you stop paying.

By depositing your tears at the front desk...

Pay for the semester in advance.

Arrangements vary by school, and can even differ between dorms at the same college.  Many larger universities, for example, have both university-owned housing and dorms owned by private companies.  The housing contracts could be different in such a case.

It depends on the university, but most offer payment plans.  Some don't do monthly payments - they might only split it in half each semester, so you pay at the beginning of the semester and again at midterm - but some form of payments seems to be available everywhere. 

I personally would off the whole semester to make sure it was done, however that caused a

significant drop in my savings account. But see if the housing department can put you on a monthly plan - Just be sure it's paid off by semester's end without interest or with a balance.

Either one. Most colleges have a payment plan, where the payments can be spread out monthly.