<p>Alright, my problem is as follows. I moved into the dorms for fall quarter, and was assigned a new roommate. There was a complete personality clash but hey, that's fine, we don't need to be best friends. </p>
<p>The problem stems from his sleeping habits. He literally plays video games and watches porn (yes, with me in the room...) until 3-5 AM, and then sleeps past noon. I have morning classes; not early, but if I have to be at class by 10, I can't be getting to sleep after 5. It's further complicated by the fact that I need to take sleeping pills to get to sleep, which put me out for a solid 8 hours. They aren't strong enough that they can put me to sleep with his incessant noise, so if I take them at say, midnight (in hopes of waking up around 830) they won't put me to sleep at all and I'll miss my sleep window. If I decide to take them when he goes to bed, it's a guarantee that I'll miss my morning classes.</p>
<p>I've asked him to be quiet/take it outside, and in no uncertain terms he's told me to **** off. I've complained to the RA, and I've been informed that there is no designated quiet time, lights out time, etc. if you aren't in the honors dorm (which this isn't.) I've applied for a room transfer, but I was told by the housing office that I'll definitely be in this room winter quarter, and probably spring as well; there are more people in housing than they'd like as is, and they don't have room to transfer people. I've also tried a sleep mask/earplugs, but it was no help.</p>
<p>Right now my grades are atrocious because of my sleep deprivation. I typically go 2-3 days without sleep, and then miss a class, meaning I average 1-2 mornings per week of absenteeism (something that's completely unacceptable.) Prior to this quarter I had over a 3.7. Now, there are 2 classes that I'm honestly on the fence about PASSING (let alone getting an A in.)</p>
<p>I feel like I've exhausted all avenues available to me, and I really don't know what else I can do. Does anyone have a suggestion of something I might be able to do, or a word of advice if you've had a similar problem?</p>
<p>Go buy earplugs. They are cheap at any pharmacy and then set your alarm louder. You can also buy those funky masks to cover your eyes if the light bothers you. Good luck.</p>
<p>If that doesn’t work try passive aggressive and be really loud in the morning.</p>
<p>As I mentioned, I’ve tried a sleep mask and earplugs…didn’t work. To be more accurate, I’ve tried 3 different kinds of earplugs…maybe my ears are wonky, but they all failed. </p>
<p>I don’t see how the alarm thing helps at all.</p>
<p>Sorry, read it too fast. I do think that the RA should be able to sit down with the two of you and come to a compromise. You might go to the resident director if your RA is not helpful. Two of you share the room and both people need to be respectful (not that you are doing anything). </p>
<p>If the earplugs work, your alarm would need to be louder to wake you. Mom advice.</p>
<p>Akhman24: My mom (who is paying for my university, since I’m ineligible for any financial aid) thinks that living in the dorms is an essential part of the “college experience,” and has made it quite clear she’ll stop paying for college if I don’t live in the dorms. I can’t pay for it, and don’t want to sink into the debt of a full college education (once again, literally NO financial aid.)</p>
<p>MD Mom: I spoke to my RA, and she basically said that there’s nothing she can do about it. I didn’t mention that I spoke to the residence director for my building, mostly because it went about the same as speaking to the RA. He said that he couldn’t do anything about it because it wasn’t a violation of the rules.</p>
Tell your mom another essential part of college is “getting a degree” and if you have to live with this guy year-round, you’ll end up failing and so much for the “college experience” after you’re flipping burgers.</p>
<p>how about next quarter you schedule your classes in the afternoon instead of mornings? that way you can go to bed later and get more sleep…like a 3am-10am sleep schedule instead of 12-8am?</p>
<p>Alix: I’m a science major getting into the upper level courses, and some of them are only available as one section per quarter. As an example, my molecular genetics class next quarter is only offered at 1030 AM, and only during winter quarter. </p>
<p>MD Mom: I haven’t been overt about looking to switch, but from the guys I know on my floor (perhaps 30 people, 50/50 male/female) a lot are actually living with friends from HS, and the rest are good friends with their roommates.</p>
<p>What kind of noise is he making by playing video games? If it’s on the PC, then ask him to wear a headset. You could always wage war and bother him like he bothers you >=]. Pull some pranks on the kid… ;D</p>
<p>Sounds like asking isn’t working. Tell him that you NEED him to keep it down/take it outside. Get angry/upset/some type of emotion, tell him how it’s hurting your grades, remind him that there’s two of you in the room and you both need to respect each other’s rights.</p>
<p>In the mean time, actively ask people if they would want to switch with you. Your RA and residential director sound like they’re no help. Go to someone else who can help you by at least telling you’re roommate he’s being a giant d**chebag, whether that be someone employed by the university or even another student.</p>
<p>If all else fails, tell your parents that your GPA is suffering because of this roommate and that you’re worried about your ability to pass classes if you don’t get out of there. Tell them you understand that they want you to live in the dorms but that it should be of higher priority that you pass your classes.</p>
<p>Gotakun: He actually says that the cord from his headphones crosses his keyboard, and interferes with his gaming. Basically, he isn’t malicious, but he acts with complete disregard for anything but his own interests. I also think pranks would escalate the problem, and I just want it to go away.</p>
<p>Steeler: When I say ask, I really mean a progression from asking, to requesting, to ordering, to no avail. I’m not a very confrontational person, and I don’t think I can tell someone they NEED to do something in a very convincing way. </p>
<p>I’m speaking to my ODS advisor about the problem before going home for Thanksgiving Wednesday, but I honestly don’t see what she’ll be able to do about it. </p>
<p>Finally, my mother isn’t going to be swayed on this. I think part of the dorm thing is because I have a mental health problem, and one of the chief concerns of it is social withdrawal. I can definitely see her reasoning that “forcing” me into a social environment will help prevent this.</p>
<p>Yuki: for FPS games, some people consider it essential to be able to talk to (and listen to) their teammates.
EDIT: I’m not saying that justifies it, just saying I can anticipate why he’d refuse to mute it (especially when he has no reason to, other than to avoid being a dick.)</p>
<p>Somni: I’m 6’6 and weigh 225 lbs, it’s not my physical appearance that needs work in the intimidation department.</p>