Mesa Legend - Features - Roomates take plunge into the good, bad, and ugly

August 21 ,2006
FEATURES

Roommates take plunge into the good, bad, and ugly

Ami Johnson
Mesa Legend

While some students are busy buying books and school supplies and trying to figure out when would be the best time to start reading the first chapters for the new school year, others are busy unpacking, grocery shopping, and getting to know their new roommates in addition to all the added pressures of the first week of school.

Roommates are a blessing but they can also be hard at times. They are there when they are needed and sometimes when they are not. There is someone to talk to when returning home from school or work and someone to look after the place while on vacation. Roommates can be the best of friends or worst of enemies. To avoid becoming enemies, here is a survival guide for first time roommates from the experiences of others.

Don’t smother

Respect other’s space and belongings. Okay girls, this means asking before borrowing clothes and shoes. People usually notice when something was taken without asking. Also, give them some space if they seem upset.
“Don’t take up more oxygen then needed. If possible, take time away from home and go for a drive,” Stuart Levitt, 42, said.

Be easy to live with

Resist behavior that might make others uncomfortable or upset. A perfect example would be walking around naked. Some people don’t want to see other’s nudity first hand. Also, to avoid upsetting and irritating roommates, be considerate.
Nicole Piccoli, 21, said she likes a roommate “who understands not to be loud during finals.”

Living with roommates who are also in school or around same age will be a more suitable living arrangement.

Don’t be judgmental

Living with a roommate is different from going to high school with them. They might end up having quirky habits that were never revealed in high school. Don’t get on their case for being themselves. It’s their space as well and they have a right to enjoy it.

Share chores

Josh Bently, who rents a house with 5 other people, uses post-it notes across the house to remind his roommates to take out the trash or do the dishes. A simple schedule or reminders help avoid a messy place as well as an unnecessary argument.

Be open-minded

Some people can be night owls or early birds usually depending on their school, work and social schedule. If a roommate’s hours are bothersome it should be brought up to discussion. Roommates should never settle for something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Talk it off

Hold meetings where each roommate can get what they are feeling out in the open. Bently said his house meets once a month and there have been occasions where they have had to give a roommate “the boot” for being too difficult to live with.

While there is no on-campus student housing at MCC, there are plenty of neighboring apartment complexes. University House of Tempe, on Apache Boulevard and Price Road house mainly MCC and ASU students. Like most complexes, someone can request to be placed in an apartment with others and share the expences of rent and utilities.