An Insider's Look at Switching Rooms

I will be one of the first to say that college life has treated me well. I have made a lot of really great friends and I feel completely at home on campus. I even started using the toaster to cook my bagel in the mornings! (That was a big step.) If there was one thing I would want to change about Saint Mike's, it would be my housing situation. So guess what I'm doing this week?

It's not that I absolutely hate where I am living. I was placed in Ryan Hall, first floor- not a bad place to be. It's usually pretty quiet, and the construction secludes us from the other halls. It's a nice get-away from regular college life. It's not that my roommate was a terrible person, either- sure, we aren't best friends, and yeah, we don't communicate as well as we could, and there have been a few awkward encounters and moments of inconsiderateness, but we didn't see each other that often and things tended to only get weird when one of us came home past midnight. (Doctor Who marathons for the win.) I also have really wanted to live in Joyce Hall since the second week of school, when I discovered that every single one of my friends lives there.

There have been some fun times in Joyce already. There was that time Jan-Luis and Erica were watching Doctor Who for the first time:

(photo cred to Emily)

That time Jan-Luis stuck googly eyes onto my cardboard cutout of Edward Cullen and we walked around the res halls, scaring people:

 That time Jan-Luis and his roommate, Ryan, kicked Erica and I out after a particularly long homework night:

 And last night, at the birthday party social. It wasn't really anyone's birthday, but darn it, we had a party!

(I am drinking a delicious F'Real mango smoothie, sold at Cumby's or the Knightstand)

I was so nervous about requesting a roommate change. I had spoken to a few of the RA's and one of the RD's about it, so I knew it would be somewhat easy. I already had my roomie chosen- Erica, one of my friends whose roommate moved out earlier in the semester. I was mostly just nervous about telling my roommate I was leaving. I didn't know how to approach her and say "Hey, this isn't really working out, so I'm moving" without it being awkward.

After about three full days of procrastination, I finally bit the bullet and told her. And guess what? It was easy! She totally understood, and said that she had also considered moving out of Ryan.

I'm really excited to move into Joyce. I'll be closer to my friends Emily, Jan-Luis, Erica (my new roomie), Katie, and Lauren (who is very funny, cough cough). It's closer to my classes, so it won't be as stressful to leave my building in the morning unsure of whether or not the Alliot printers will actually print my homework. (They are always broken or out of paper right before the 8am's.)

Now that I've told my roommate, I just have to fill out the paperwork. That does sound like a complicated process- I have to get signatures from all kinds of people- but I have been reassured by many, many people that it will be easy. Everyone is so civil and helpful. I love it!

I can't wait to be a Joyce resident. I was told I should be moved in by the end of the week or next week if I can get my paperwork in ASAP. So anyone who comes to Saint Mike's and ends up in a housing situation you're not comfortable with, rest easy! It's a pretty simple process to switch rooms. Everything will be okay. :)