I just received my rooming assignments for the 2016-17 school year. I was placed in a suite at has one bedroom that four people will all be living in. As an introverted person (INFJ Myers-Briggs type), this is giving me bad anxiety just thinking about it. Both me and my best friend are going to this college, and we requested just each other on our contracts. We both did get placed in this assignment, but some two other girls as well (obviously, four people, duh^^). Like I said, we are both very anxious about this placement because we’re afraid it will really affect our academic performance and we require some sort of privacy. Has anybody gone through this sort of housing, if so what advice might you give?
Is there a way to change your rooming assignments by calling the Residence Life office? The website says that the rooming assignments aren’t final yet, but it doesn’t feel like it’s likely going to change. The college I’m attending is expensive enough (32000 a year), and I really don’t want to pay that if I am going to have a horrible time there due to my dorm life.
Thanks for your time!
Most suites have 2 people in each bedroom with one bathroom shared by 4 people. Is this the set up that you have?
Nope, it has a “common room” with a kitchen and living area, with one bedroom off of it that all four of us are sharing and one bathroom.
No experience with that set up , sorry.
It’s alright, thanks for your time!
D was in a similar set up that worked out great. She liked that they could cook, study, talk, listen to music, etc., without disturbing a roommate who was sleeping. There was no need to be silent in the dark when they were on different schedules.
It is just for the first year. And you might have a good time, go into it with an open mind.
I’m sorry you didn’t get either of your requests!
I was in a quad this past year that was just the one room. It was a bit cramped and there were a few weird moments, but despite my being pretty introverted it was really fine. I do have a few tips. First, if you have the opportunity and are anxious about having your own space, try arranging to arrive a day early. That way you can have the room arranged the way you like and you can establish your own area in the room. Which brings me to: have space in your room that is clearly yours. You can keep control over that area’s cleanliness, even if your roommates create a mess or clutter. If you can bunk your beds, do so! It clears off space in the room for desks and gives you room to move around. Be sure to get in touch with your roommates and have serious chats (when you get there if necessary) about alcohol, drugs, and visitor policies, as well as what times you like to study and how easily you fall asleep. Personally I can fall asleep with the lights on and my roommates talking, but if you are a light sleeper be sure to let them know. Also discuss how much privacy you need. If you have these discussions over a group chat of some sort it might make it a bit less nerve wracking.
As for switching rooms, you can surely contact Residential Services and try to switch rooms, but a lot of colleges are a bit short on space, especially for freshmen, so I wouldn’t expect them to switch you without a really good reason.
And even if you aren’t psyched about the idea now, a less-than-ideal dorm situation will not totally ruin your college experience unless you let it. Good luck and try to have fun with it! Having lots of roommates may be a hassle, but if you get along it can also be an awesome experience!
Buy the biggest container of the highest decibel disposable earplugs you can find at walgreens and an eyemask.
Depending on the exact layout of the common room (including what furniture is provided and if you are allowed to store said furniture elsewhere), one potential option that might make things feel a little more bearable is to essentially scrap the common room and have 2 bedrooms with two people in each. I assume the front door opens directly into the common room so 2 of you will have to be ok with the other 2 having to walk through the bedroom to get to the other room, but that might be preferable to 4 people sharing a single bedroom.
If you do not speak up the first time a roommate annoys you, they will assume their behavior is okay. So even though you will be nervous about confrontation, realize it will only get worse if you stay silent.
Try your best for some group communication and setting of basic ground rules. Especially issues like overnight visitors, or a roommate wanting to kick the rest of you out in order to have sex. Figure out morning and night schedules, alarm clocks and hitting snooze button over and over while others are trying to sleep, etc