Roommate: Part of the freshman experience

So, you're graduating from high school.

Undoubtedly you've been pondering the possibilities of posthigh school days, and I'm sure you've wondered what will happen as you enter the so-called "real world."

Many of you will throw yourself into the arena of higher education.

For those of you heading off to college, I'd like to offer some humble advice.

As a 2002 graduate of East Valley High School, I feel compelled to share a little bit of my first-year experience. After much contemplation I enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University in the fall of 2002. I lived in Foss Hall, a dormitory that characteristically had smaller rooms and fewer "quiet hours."

I was paired with a girl from Lynden, Wash., a small town one hour north of Bellingham. To avoid divulging all of the gory details, I will simply say that my first year, I struggled academically, mentally and physically. This year, as a sophomore transfer attending Spokane Falls Community College, I have made considerable progress out of the rut I found myself stuck in last year.

I simply wasn't prepared and figured out too late what my purpose at PLU was.

This year, at the sweet age of 19, I have decided on a major, received high marks in all my classes and made plans to start at Gonzaga this fall.

I was considering describing my experiences with academics, finances and the dreaded "freshman 15" - all important issues. But, as much as I would enjoy delving into the above issues, I felt it would be more important to discuss a broader topic.

It's a subject that is frightening, complicated and rewarding all at the same time.

I'm talking about roommates - your college of choice placing you and another person (quite possibly a stranger) in a room that appears to get smaller as the year progresses. It is a reality that those of you moving into the dorms will have to face head on.

First of all, differences will exist individually. Some of you may be moving in with your best friend, and you may even be convinced this situation will be conflict-free. The rest of you, leaving the decision to a higher power, will answer a short set of questions in order to assist your school in selecting you a roommate.

Either way there are certain things that are unavoidable.

For one thing, get used to the idea now that your mother is not going to be there to do your laundry, cook your dinner or pull the blanket off of you on the mornings when your alarm clock doesn't have you convinced. Major and minor adjustments will have to be made, starting with being aware of the increasing amount of responsibility that you will soon be presented with.

At the top of this list of adjustments is taking into consideration someone other than yourself when it comes to a room that is often the size of a walk-in closet.

Those of you receiving a random assignment will receive a letter midsummer of whom you will share a cramped living space with.

Contact them. Ask questions about what they like to do and what items they are bringing. This avoids unnecessary duplication of items such as TVs, stereos and furniture.

The main thing, as you become acquainted, is to establish an open and comfortable level of communication. Even if you don't end up best friends with this person (which you probably won't) it is important to be able to talk with them and smooth any bumps that will inevitably come up.

When conflicts do arise, talk to each other honestly. It does no good to let issues build up until they blow up. At the same time, choose your battles wisely and realize that living in the dorms is not like Mom and Dad's house. Consideration of each other's personal space is essential to a positive roommate relationship.

Your first college roommate will be someone you will always remember. It may not be because you were particularly close with the person, but there is something about that initial experience that sticks with you.

You may find yourself tempted to smother them with a pillow when they are snoring loud enough to wake people down the hall.

You may even mutter a few choice words when you realize you only got to eat one Nutri-grain bar out of a 36-pack because your roommate ate the first 35.

But your freshman year only happens once and after it's all said and done you will probably look back on dorm life and be thankful it's over, but grateful that you had the experience.

Where else will you live that will require sandals in the shower?

It's part of the whole freshman experience. And what an experience it is.

Copyright 2004 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.