Setting Ground Rules

Okay guys. Second blog. This is probably going to be really short, but that's okay. It's straight to the point. Also, I know this is incredibly late, seeing as I am now beginning my Sophomore year.

Tip 2: Setting the Ground Rules

This can go one of two ways: well, or not so well. You need to make sure that you and your roommate, whether you two are the same person or polar opposites, can find common ground when setting up the ground rules. My dorm actually made my roommate and I make a set of rules and sign a contract to enforce those rules. But not all dorms do this.

Set up rules from the get-go. Compromise a time that no more visitors should be allowed in the room due to study time. If you're in a suite-style dorm, set a schedule or some kind of chart showing when each person will do some type of cleaning duty in the restroom (these things aren't going to clean themselves.) Ask yourselves these questions"

-Is everyone going to take turns buying toilet paper and share, or are we just going to keep the toilet paper we buy to ourselves?

-Who is going to provide a trash can for the restroom, and who is going to take it out when it gets full? (the "whoever tops it drops it" rule doesn't work well, because everyone will deny that they were the ones to top the trash can)

-Who is going to buy what cleaning supplies for the restroom?

-etc?

All of these things are relevant. It's crucial to get rules set up at the beginning of the semester/year, because if something starts bugging you further in, it's probably already too late.

Living Arrangements

Sorry guys, I'm a little late on keeping up with the blog parallel to keeping up with my actual Freshman year. I needed something to keep me sane.

We'll start off with a short introduction. I'm Steigen, I'm currently a Freshman the University of South Carolina, and have been for about two months now. I aspire to be accepted into the International Business Program while minoring in German and Mandarin.

Well...there you go.

ALSO. I'm sure a lot of the beginning tips will be things that your orientation leader or parents or older friends tell you, but I PROMISE, sooner or later this blog will become more personal.

Disclaimer: If you're reading this blog and you're not a college Freshman or younger for the time being, then obviously this blog isn't for you.

Tip 1: Thinking Ahead

To people who are still in high school and going to college soon: do NOT room with someone that you know, specifically your best, or even a close friend.

Why not?

This will most likely result in immediate hermit-like behavior, and later lead to fights that could potentially damage the friendship: for good. If you're already developing a comfort zone before entering college, you'll be less likely to "put yourself out there" and more likely to latch on to your roommate for dear life for any means of communication. Your roommate will get annoyed, they'll tell you to fuck off, vice versa, yada yada yada. It's just not a good idea. People are different when you live with them, no matter how well you think you know them.

As far as choosing a roommate, that's all based upon your personal experience. Taking a survey to find your potential roommate is a good idea, but just because you're made for each other on paper doesn't necessarily mean you're made for each other when it comes to living. Take the survey if you want to try it out, or if you're feeling frisky, allow the school to give you a completely random roommate. I've heard it works...sometimes.

And hey, if worse comes to worse, you can already request a change of roommates. Right?