it’s my senior year of school and i haven’t had any issues in the past with roommates but this year seems to be way different. My roommates are random people because all of my friends live off campus whereas I have a housing accommodation meaning I am guaranteed housing on campus to help with my anxiety issues. Anyways, I moved in earlier before anyone else and went home because we had a lot of free time before classes started. When I returned the night before class with my mom dropping me off there were at least 3 packs of cigarettes in the common area and kitchen. It reeked of smoke and staleness. I really cannot stand the smell it was so gross. I went out to dinner with my mom and when she dropped me off for good I was finally able to meet two of my new roommates who happened to be smoking outside at the time.
Yes they smoke outside but the smell drifts inside and it is gross. The unfortunate thing is that they seem really nice well at least two of them because the third basically hides in her room so I don’t know her. I usually feel comfortable in my apartment but this year feels off.
I am torn because I can put my name on a list to move but I might not get to move or I could be moved but what if the people are rude yet non smokers.
Honestly, I really would appreciate if someone could give me advice or just share any thoughts. I think my lack of sleep and general anxiety is making things worse.
Do your roommates know you hate cigarette smoke? Would they care?
They did smoke outside. Plus.
Cigarette smoke follows you around. I get it. I HATE it!
Febreze. Suck it up. Get used to it. Don’t think it’s going to change.
Choice one: Stay and put up with reasonably decent roommates.
Choice two: Take a chance with new roomies.
My real question is why you didn’t follow your friends to off campus housing. IMO there is a lot less anxiety living with known friends than signing up for living with strangers.
What is the smoking policy at your school? (A lot of campuses have a no smoking rule). Also, have you tried talking to your roommates? I’m all for the direct approach: tell them that the smell of smoke makes you sick, and ask if they can take their habit away from the room, where the smoke won’t drift in. If they are truly nice, as you say, they won’t want to impose.
Back when I was in college in the 1970s there was only one choice of roommate: smoking or non-smoking. Sorry you were not give that choice. If you really hate smoking, I’d put in for a move ASAP. Like you said, when they smoke outside, the smoke comes in. They will reek of smoke 24 hours a day. Even if your new roomies are rude, at least you can escape to your room, unless they are loud. I assume you had a good reason not to go off campus with friends.
The reason I didn’t follow my friends off campus is because technically I am a year behind because I transferred to my school. A lot of my friends graduated but the ones that haven’t yet are locked into off campus housing and have other roommates. Also I really need to be on campus just because I have a lot of anxiety and other issues.
I have decided to put my name on the list and chances are it will take a while for them to figure everything out and maybe in the meantime it won’t be so bad.
It’s just weird because I have always checked off that I am a non smoker who prefers living with non smokers as well.
Anyways, thanks for all the responses and helping me out when my anxiety was high but my brain was mush
Maybe you could talk to someone in housing? Explain your anxiety issues and the smoking issues. And you can honestly say that the smokers were nice folks, it just was not the living environment for you. Good luck!
^^^Exactly. If it were me, being forced to room with smokers would have a significant impact on my anxiety issues, and I would bring that to the attention of the housing people.
Determine what the smoking policy is on your campus. If it is a no smoking anywhere, then go to the Residential Life office and say that your roommates smoke (not in the building), but the smell is permeating your suite. What do they suggest?
