As a freshman, you're required to live in the dorms if you aren't commuting from your home. Most freshmen have only a vague idea of what to expect from living in the dorms even though most are excited to make the move away from home. Luckily, some of the questions many students new to Housing and Food Services might have are easily answered.
Why should I have to share with my roommate or people in my hall?
Maybe you don't feel like you should have to share your food, dishes or other items with your roommate or hallmates. But Resident Director Ann Igbre said if you do share, it's easier to avoid conflicts.
Electrical engineering junior LeRon Mitchell said even though he doesn't like sharing, he does it anyway.
"You should share because you might need something from someone else later on," he said.
Even though sharing can make things easier with your roommate, Mitchell said you have to know when to retrieve your things.
"It's okay to let people borrow things, but when you're ready to have it, you have to go get it back because some people are irresponsible and will forget about your things," he said. "So it's best to go get [your things] so you don't end up angry."
Why should I lock my doors?
Computer engineering sophomore Anthony Robinson will be a resident adviser this fall and said it's important to lock your doors because you can't trust everyone who lives in your hall.
Igbre agrees. She said residents should keep their doors locked to keep their belongings safe from visitors.
"Locking you door is something we stress to residents because sometimes people in the dorms aren't supposed to be there," she said. "Sometimes people will just be walking around opening people's doors. And if you have a laptop sitting on your bed, it could be gone when you get back."
Rene Bowie, a recent geosciences graduate, said you should lock up because it doesn't take a key to get into most dorms.
"Most of the time, people will open the door for other people who are waiting there without a key," she said. "Anyone can get into the building."
Some theft is from people you don't know, you still have to watch out for people you do know.
"I knew someone last year who had some of their stuff stolen by their roommate," Robinson said. "That's someone who was somewhat trusted and had unlimited access to the room. Don't give others the opportunity."
Why is it important to have good communication skills?
Igbre said communication is the best way to solve most roommate problems.
"Most problems are petty things, and the other person doesn't realize they are upsetting you because you don't say anything," she said.
It's good to talk to your roommate in the very beginning and make a set of rules, Igbre said.
"Talk about your personalities, talk about how often you're going to clean the bathroom, talk about those things from the jump so you have a standard that's already set."
Robinson said you should speak up about what's going on with you, good and bad, so your roommate will know how to address or compromise with the situation.
What if I don't like my roommate?
Robinson says you should try to figure out what it is you don't like about your roommate so that it can be resolved.
Although you don't have to be your roommate's best friend, Robinson said it's important to "at least have a cordial relationship."
Elementary education senior Ashlee Gibson said you should try to make friends with the other people on your hall so you can hang out with them.
But Bowie warns that you shouldn't visit friends too often.
"It's easy to become a burden on a friend if you're hanging out in their dorm room all the time," she said.
Igbre said most roommate problems are petty problems or communication problems. But, if all else fails and you still aren't getting along with your roommate, it's possible to be moved in with another person or try to get a single room if any are available.
What's the difference between meals, meal points and meal exchange?
Most freshmen are confused about the difference between the three. For example, if you are given eight meals a week with 400 points, you have eight meals a week in the cafeteria that start over every Monday, Igbre said. Using meal points is like using a debit card, she said.
"You can purchase food, and you don't have to present any physical cash," she said.
Meal exchange can be used in campus restaurants when the cafeteria is closed. When you use meal exchange, it comes out of your weekly meals. These are the same meals that you use in the cafeteria.
Why should I learn better decision-making skills?
You should make better decisions in college because you need to learn to manage your time, Igbre said.
"You have to balance time between when you work and when you can play," she said.
Since this is the first time for most students living without parents, Robinson said the decision-making process is part of being an adult.
"Growing up and college life is learning to make your own decisions and knowing what you want and what you don't want as far as education and many other things," he said.
But the decision-making part doesn't mean you have to be strict on yourself.
"Now is the time to follow your heart and do what makes you happy," Bowie said. "You should make decisions based on being true to yourself and living the life you want."
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