Listen Here
By: Madelynn Greenslade
Email: greensladem@findlay.edu
Twitter: @Madelynn_G15
One of the biggest things in college is that this may be the first-time freshmen get to live on their own. You finally get out of your parents’ house and you have freedom to do anything you want, sounds great right? With that, comes living in a dorm and that may not be for everyone. For some, it may actually be the worst part of college.
Roommates, small spaces, and new routines can be some of the toughest adjustments that you have to make during your first year of college. Living in such small spaces with someone totally new to you can be very overwhelming and even get frustrating. But if you take some measures to make it easier on yourself, you may end up liking it.
To help alleviate some of that stress of living in a new place, the first thing you’ll want to do is make it feel like home, according to Junior Resident Assistant Kassidi Sullivan.
“Something that I cherished a lot, aside from my comfy mattress pad and my Keurig, would be the pictures and keep sakes,” said Sullivan. “Bringing a few décor pieces that feel like home isn’t a bad thing.”
Living on campus also puts you very close to events and activities going on. Sullivan says going to these events and staying on campus on the weekends have brought her great opportunities.
“Everyone can experience homesickness at some point,” said Sullivan. “I know my freshman year there were times I wanted to skip out on a weekend at school and just pack up and head home. However, once I stayed, I found new organizations to be a part of and my now best friends.”
The University of Findlay requires students to live on campus for their first two years of school. Laken Polega, a sophomore living in the Deming residence hall, says she loves the simplicity and location of living on campus.
“If I forgot something in my room that I will need for my next class, I often have time to run and get it before class starts,” said Polega. “I also like that if I have an awkward amount of time in between classes I can sometimes fit in a quick nap.”
Polega also agrees that living on campus and staying on the weekends is a great way to get involved and meet new people. She also encourages fellow residents to meet others that live on the same floor.
“Get to know the people that live on your floor,” said Polega. “Some of my best friends here at UF lived on my floor my freshman year.”
Polega is not sure where she plans to live in the future but says she may just stay in Deming for a third year.
Thomas Wolfe, a freshman, is experiencing on campus living for the first time this year in The Village. He says everything is going well so far and him and his roommate.
“In The Village, we have our own bathroom, which is nice,” said Wolfe. “There is also plenty of room in the dorm for my roommate and I.”
Wolfe has realized that communicating with his roommate is a key to living together. Making sure they are aware of what the other is doing and being respectful is important, especially when one is completing homework. Sullivan agrees with Wolfe on that.
“Communication is huge in all aspects of human interactions,” said Sullivan. “Things like guests coming to the room, cleanliness, and lights out should be discussed and communicated sooner than later to avoid any confrontation.”
Wolfe says in the future he would like to live in an on-campus house.
Although on-campus living can get a bad rep in some peoples’ eyes, it can be a wonderful experience. As Polega says take advantage of the simplicity of being close to everything on campus and be sure to get involved.
