Idea for dorm furniture: what do you think? (long)

College Life
81

<p>I feel a lot of compassion for you, it's clear that you come from a rough background and trying very hard to make a better life for yourself. But please think for a moment about the signals you are sending and how they might be interpreted by others.</p>

<p>You are worried about your things that are important to you. What about your roomie? Do you think that maybe she is worried about her things, too? Does she need to worry about you stealing her things? In one of your previous posts, you mentioned how easy it is to break into other's rooms and take their things, and that you've done this in the past (post # 66). That's a pretty unusual past--most people don't make a habit of breaking into other people's living quarters, for whatever reason.</p>

<p>Your roommate won't be after your computer--she'll have her own. And also her own phone and music. Why would she steal your tv, and where would she hide it? </p>

<p>It makes sense to buy a laptop lock to secure your computer. It makes sense to buy a trunk you can lock and keep under your bed for small valuables that could be taken by some random person. </p>

<p>Do these things. And also talk to your roommate about your sense of privacy and possession calmly. Explain things to her . Ask her about pet peeves. And set up some guidelines about how you will live together with mutual respect for each other and each other's belongings.</p>

<p>And enjoy your freshman year. Expect good things of people and make a lot of friends.</p>

<p>Let us know how things go. You're a kid who deserves a good life.</p>

82

<p>I think a trunk with a lock would work better, yeah. </p>

<p>I don't really think you're crazy. Everyone deserves some privacy. I'm a bit freaked out by the roommate thing too. I've never shared a room. Ever. Like I have SEVEN siblings and every has their own room. lol. I can't get an apartment either. </p>

<p>Just invest in some locks and a trunk and I think you'll be fine. Don't worry so much. =]</p>

83

<p>I'm not worried about my roomate because honestly, if she had something of mine, considering how packed those rooms get, I would know it unless she pawned it or something. Really, that isnt my concern. My only thing with a roomate is privacy, but thats not really a huge issue, and it is something that is easy to get over with mutual respect for the other person. I just dont want other students (and again, I dont think that my roomates friends are the ones that would do it either) to be able to access my room, even with the doors locked when I am gone, and have easy access to my stuff. </p>

<p>I definately need to talk to my roomate first. From reading so many of those books on roomates and stuff, and from even having several before, thats like the first step once you both have your stuff moved in. First impression, first chance to make sure you dont get off on the wrong foot, Definately important. </p>

<p>This is kind of a stupid statement, but maybe its relevant, but as it is, since my parents lost the key to their house, when we lock the door and leave we get back in by "carding" the door and it isnt that hard.</p>

84

<p>damn i wish i knew how to do that</p>

<p>then i could easily pawn your stuff! i'm not even joking.</p>

85

<p>I like the idea of incorperating the "lock boxes" or whatever you would call them into the rest of my furniture so that it takes up less space. Those trunks are HEAVY...I've moved a lot of them before, and they start at like $100. Makes for Ok seating though, if the top isnt round.</p>

86

<p>Life in the ghetto, baby. </p>

<p>But I mean, maybe that helps you get the point, and I know that a lot of kids are like ***? how the hell do you do that. </p>

<p>Thats what I was saying before....what if I've got residents in my hall that grew up like me?</p>

87

<p>my asian friends put their important stuff in the shrine of their ancestors</p>

<p>but seriously who do you do that, cause right now i'm uh locked out of my house and i have a credit card..</p>

88

<p>Just find 'secret' places to hide stuff MP3 players or whatever. lol.</p>

89

<p>rotflmfao </p>

<p>it takes practice...seriously...want me to tell you? No gaurantees that I mean, you'll get it right, but as long as the door isnt dead bolted, or you have a side door that isnt dead bolted, you're good...</p>

<p>and for those of you that think that i am ignorant for beleiving him, I am only considering it because there are families out there who can afford all of that wireless internet s***...and he just said, the only card hes got is his credit card. </p>

<p>++++just so you know, that credit card is going to get scratched up, so you'll want to make sure that the scan bar thingie is not the side that you put in the door+++++</p>

90

<p>and that is another thing...I've lived with a lady who thought that would work too. She has some serious medical problems and is loaded with prescription meds that sell on the streets (morphine, methadone, vicodin, xanex, percs, etc) and she tried every single little nook and corner in her house, and she even resorted to keeping the stuff in her pants or bra...</p>

<p>of course, the people who we are dealing with here are drug addicts, but still, it ALLLLLLLLLL ended up stolen. She then went and got a safe, AND IT WAS STOLEN.</p>

91

<p>Hmm interesting. Good for unlocking doors when sneaking out at night...</p>

92

<p>whatever floats your boat.</p>

93

<p>I am not sure of what school you are going to but the dorm room locks at UW Madison are darn near impossible to pop, even by experienced people. My guess would be that most schools would be the same; colleges are very aware of student security esp. in the dorms. I think that you will be pleasently surprised at how secure your dorm will be.
I love rooms that are redone by the residents, I think it is neat, but your 'box' idea sounds really creepy for your room mate and the other folks on the floor.</p>

<p>One thing to think about is that having a box that would completly enclose you and only have one access door is proably against the fire code. Enclosed, occupied spaces need to have two independent exits in case there is a fire in the room. One your floor resident sees your "unit", my guess will be that he will have it inspected by the residence hall administrator and they most likely will look for reasons to make you get rid of it.
Just lock your stuff up in a case under your bed. It will work just as well and you'll fit in much better with the rest of the floor.</p>

94

<p>notice the last idea that there was. Completely open.</p>

<p>Like I said, I am willing to compramise...so long as:</p>

<p>my cabinets are consistantly locked, I have an overhead so that I can have lightweight light fixtures, have a desk at one end of the bed that fits the size of the bed, andhave a house for my tv that is easy to see and secure,</p>

95

<p>what about plexiglass walls with curtains.</p>

96

<p>well...
-cost$$$$$
-way too hott
-if youre talking about my origional idea, well, I cant do plexiglass cabinets or anything crazy like that.
-then I really would feel crazy....living in a glass box</p>

<p>-I know, next response is going to be "theyre not that different, if youre crazy for living in a glass box than youre crazy for living in a wooden box.</p>

<p>I assume you were kidding, but anyways, if you really were serious (?)...that wouldnt be an option</p>

97

<p>Just FYI - most roommates share the microwave and fridge, and if there is one, the room phone. They usually contact each other before the year starts to determine who is bringing what. So there is not two of everything.</p>

98

<p>That is the thing though, when you go to college, the vast, vast majority of people you are dealing with are not drug addicts and gangsters. I've dealt with druggies and gangsters, and I've dealt with the average college student, and let me tell you, they are two completely different kinds of people. The majority of college kids out there are decently well off, and the majority of them are good kids. They wouldn't have made it into college unless they too had good grades, good SAT scores, and good extracurricular activities.</p>

<p>Look, in the end there is absolutely nothing that can keep you 100 percent safe. If someone really wants your stuff and they know what they're doing, there will be a way to do it. What exactly makes this box so impermeable? A friggin dead bolt? That's right, Mr. Professional Criminal is going to get through dorm security, pick your room out of hundreds of available choices, get in somehow, and then see a dead bolt and go "oh hell naw".</p>

<p>You've got to adjust to your surroundings and take reasonable measures to be safe. So one of my jobs is near Beverly Hills, but when I park my car for the day I make sure I lock my car, hide all valubles, maybe throw the club on. Reasonable. It's not gonna stop any real thief, but given that it's Beverly Hills and my car is a crappy 89 Honda Civic, I think I'll be ok. But should I go to work strapped in a bulletproof vest carrying around a nine driving around in my bulletproofed car? I mean shoot, Biggie died right around the corner from where I work (no really, he did). But in my case, that's overkill. The chances of me getting shot at in Beverly Hills is very slim, especially given that I have no any enemies that I know of (that would kill me). If someone really wanted me dead, they would find a better way to murk me.</p>

<p>You are painting yourself as a giant target by going through with the whole box idea. If I decide to drive through Compton in my brand new SUV with spinning rims and bulletproofed windshields, and say I just decide to wear the wrong gang colors too, I might feel safe but I've definitely made myself a target as well. A giant box would make you an easy target for pranks and ridicule... just wait til the people on the floor think its funny to TP your enclosure or lock you in by shoving a bookcase in front of the door or drawn male reproductive organs all over it. If your roommate really hates you what's to stop them from waiting til you're gone to have them or one of their friends bust open your lock to steal you stuff out of pure spite?</p>

<p>Anyway you seem like a good kid, if a bit paranoid, and I can understand some of your concerns. Your second idea sounded much more reasonable. I mean, I too had a lock for my closets all through my time in the dorms, but as it turned out I found out my need for them really wasn't that great. I was in the room a decent amount of time and my roommates weren't retards who brought over a million strange people or left the door wide open when no one was home. I didn't have anything cool to steal anyway. Best of luck to you.</p>

99

<p>McGizzle is always the voice of reason.</p>

<p>And yeah. I understand the OPs history and I get the concern, but you cannot compare the situation of drug addicts stealing your friends things to going to college and living in a dorm. I am fairly confident that it would'nt even occur to your neighbors to pick your locks, let alone actually attempt it. </p>

<p>Building any sort of bizarre structure (even your bookcase idea) will only bring you more attention.</p>

100

<p>i still do not understand why anyone else would care if my cabinets had locks on them or not...*** is the big deal. The bookcase thing, maybe, but locking my stuff up isnt hurting anyone else, getting in anyone elses way, or making something inconveinent for someone else.</p>