Living in Residence

One of the big choices with going to school is deciding whether or not to live in residence on campus. Personally, I took the plunge and moved away from the home to live in residence.
Now, I'm not really sure what it's like at other universities, but there there's two different types, traditional and non-traditional. The traditional is how you would think a normal dorm room would be, just a bunch of furniture - but here that's divided down even further. You can either be in a single or a double, and depending on what building you get put in, you could end up sharing a bathroom with your whole floor or 1-2 other people. The non-traditional puts you in a townhouse with 4 other people, along with 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen. Again, divided up into doubles and singles.
Anyway, now that you've heard about the boring-ness of how the residence system works here, the point that I'm trying to say is that you're ALWAYS AROUND PEOPLE.
You are never really alone when you're living in residence. Whether you're seeing other people, living with them, hearing them, or anything else - there's always someone.
And the fact about people is that we're not perfect, and there's always going to be the people that annoy you, and that make you crazy. Dealing with these people suck, but it's a big part of being in residence! Here are some tips for dealing with residence and the people involved in it.

1. Give People A Chance
Within 15 seconds of meeting someone, you've already judged them, you've already made up your opinion about them. How much can you lean about someone in 15 seconds? Nothing. Because you never really truly know someone. Something I've learned over the course of my stay here so far is that you really need to give someone a real chance before you make up your mind about them. People will really surprise you. You might become best friends with that person who you thought was a complete bitch, or you might realize that the really nice girl a few doors down is a backstabber. Please, just try not to make a snap judgment about someone.

2. If Something Is Bugging You, Speak Up
Obviously something that you're going to encounter at university/college is parties - anywhere and anytime. They can be loud and obnoxious and bug the hell out of you. If the people above you are partying every night until 4am, and it's getting in the way of your sleep and studies and just your life - you need to speak up. There are ways that you can 'anonymously' complain, call your don (in my residence each room has a phone), facebook them, text them, or whatever. If something is bugging you that much, then it's not right for you to have to put up with it.

3. Be Respectful
On the other hand, if you're the one that's partying, try not to do it all day every day. Friday and Saturday nights are acceptable - Monday nights, not so much. If you want to play music, keep it quiet! No one wants to her Gangam Style while they're trying to study for their midterm. Keep the common room clean, it's called a common room for a reason - everyone uses it!

4. Try To Make Friends On Your Floor
Obviously you're not going to be best friends with every single person on your floor. Some of the people you're going to love, while just the sight of some of them will piss you off. Ignore the people who you don't like - no one like floor drama. But really, it is nice to have friends on your floor.

5. Come To Terms With The Bathroom Situation
If you're sharing a bathroom with your whole floor (like me) it's going to feel pretty weird at the beginning. I was so scared to shower for like, the first month! (don't worry, I still showered... Just at weird times) I was scared I would be like, walking out in a towel and one of the guys was going to come in or something, I don't even know what I was scared of now. Looking back, it seems pretty silly, but it definitely took some getting used to. Really though, don't hog the shower in the morning! Some people need to get to class and that's not going to happen if you decide to take your sweet time.

6. Keep Food In Your Room
Vending machines can get expensive, and sometimes you just don't want to talk to the cafeteria. I really suggest having a mini fridge if you're living in residence. Keeping food in your room is great because then you can decide what you have, and what you don't. If you know you're going to be temped to eat something, then just don't keep it in your room. If you have a morning class and the cafeteria isn't open yet, then keep some granola bars or fruit or cereal in your room.

7. Take Advantages Of Residence Events
At my university, every Sunday we have this thing called crew. Crew is when people from the whole building are invited to get together and participate in something, whether it's a movie night, playing capture the flag outside, watching the superbowl (tonights activity) or even carving pumpkins! I never go, and sometimes I regret it. Okay, well, usually I don't, but when there's food involved I do. But that's just not my thing, but if getting together with a group of people and doing things is yours, then make sure to see if your residence has anything like it - if not, suggest something!

8. Take Advantage of the Caf, But Beware
As much as cafeteria food sucks, take advantage of not having to cook and do dishes while you can. Yeah, it sure sucks eating the same stuff every day, but next year you're going to have to find time to grocery shop, cook, clean and whatnot. Just make sure to not have fries and a dessert with every meal - you WILL gain weight. The freshman 15 is not a myth, it is a real thing and if you're not careful it does actually happen.

9. Don't Go Too Crazy With Your Newly Found Freedom
While it is really tempting to always just do what you want and party and drink and have tons a fun - ultimately, is that the reason why you came to school in the first place? I'm paying $15,000 to be here, and I'm going to get my moneys worth and not flush it down the drain. While it can't be all work and no play, it also can't be all play and no work. Find a good balance for yourself, and don't go too crazy.

10. Be True To Yourself 
All the way through school we're taught about peer pressure. I'm not going to lie, there definitely is pressure at university to do certain things. But the pressure isn't in the way that they always told us it would be. It's not always going to be someone standing there with a beer or a joint or whatever saying "Take it or you're going to be a loser." It's kind of invisible pressure. Honestly, I think most of the pressure is pressure that we you put on yourself. It sucks to be an outcast, and the only person not doing something. I know how it feels, because I don't drink. Frosh week was horrible because it was just people partying the whole time... And I doubted my decision to stay sober a few times. Sometimes it's just easier to go along with what everyone else is doing instead of sticking to your decision. I'm totally not saying that you can't drink - if you want to, go right ahead. Just remember that it's just as bad to judge someone for not doing something as it is to judge someone for doing something. Stick to your decisions and just be who you are - you will find people who have the same views on things as you do, don't you worry.

Well that's all for now, I have a midterm to study for! :)
Keep in mind these are just a few things about living in residence that I've learned! I still have a few more months to go, and I'm sure I'll learn a hell of a lot more.
If you ever have a topic that you want me to do a post about, or some advice - feel free to write a comment! You can do it anonymously if you don't want me knowing who you are, if that's what's holding you back.