Each resident brings with them a different set of expectations. However, when those expectations are not discussed, conflict will occur (Guide 5). It's an exciting time, moving into your dorm. You"re almost on your own, keyword almost. You thought living with your parents was bad; wait till you see the rules you have to follow. Compared to University Housing, your parents were a piece of cake. Then you meet your new roommate and things get worse. Well, I"m here to save the day. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to follow my simple rules and survive dorm life with a terrible roommate. .
Over the summer, I wondered how it would be to live in a dorm. I knew it was much different than living at home, but I was excited nonetheless. When I got the envelope in the mail that told me who my roommate would be, I wondered what she would be like. Her name was Heather Baker and she lived in Panama. I wrote her an e-mail shortly after I received the letter so that I could get to know her better. I would be living with her for an entire school year after all. The more we wrote each other back and forth, the more thrilled I got. Who cares if I have to share my room with someone else? We will probably become wonderful friends and end up sharing all of life's little moments together. I couldn't have been more wrong.
My roommate is the epitome of all that is evil. I am water and she is oil; we don't mix. I like to sleep in, and she likes to make the most of her morning by waking up before the sun comes up. Every time she listens to the music on her computer, I get in a depressed, suicidal mood. It's just so whiney! Apparently, she is extremely involved in her church and goes to numerous church related events. She even hosts some of these events in our room! All of these little things add up and can really stress me out. "Give it a few months," my sister said when I asked her for advice on my roommate (Beus 2001).
