Going into my sophomore year of college is such an exciting feeling. The butterflies in my stomach are gone, the shopping list is more organized and my suitcases are still not packed - but that’s alright. However, the one feeling that brings a twinkle in my eye is the fact that I am not living in a forced triple anymore. For the upcoming freshmen and upperclassmen who will be rooming in a forced triple; my advice to you is to avoid the top-bunk at all cost. First, never volunteer for this because it is not like having bunk-beds back home with your younger brother or sister. Second, if they say students can come on campus at 10:00 a.m., try to get there an hour early, wait for the gate to open and rush to your assigned room as early as possible in order to secure any bed other than the top bunk. Three, whatever you do just avoid the top-bunk at all costs, even if you have to pay your roommates. Bottom-line is that two semesters in that bed is not worth it. You all might think you could switch around every few months so that one person does not have to sleep on the bed for two semesters, but that will not happen because no one has that kind of effort to move their stuff around. If all my advice to avoid the top bunk does not work for you and you are stuck on the bed that is alright because I myself survived the two-semester prison sentence of living on the top bunk.

One advantage that I have to state is that I was lucky enough to have two great roommates that made this living arrangement a lot more tolerable, but aside from that it definitely was a challenge. Make sure to bring an extended charge I’d say get the biggest one possible never make it exact because you will use your phone in bed especially if you are supposed to be sleeping. So you want to make sure it can handle all of that extra moving around in your bed. Get wire holders that can stick to the wall because the worst feeling ever is when you drop your charger and your roommate underneath you is asleep. Make sure to have a pair personal slippers because most of the time colleges do not get ladders they just assume you will just climb up the bed railing. Even though it may not bother you stepping on the hardwood railing. It will make your life just that much easier.

This personally has not happened to me, but I have heard it from friends of mine who were in forced triples. I am referring to bringing your laptop up to your bunk. Whether you plan to watch Netflix or do your homework take all caution to ensure that it never slips out of your bed. If you are done using your laptop take the time to get down and put it on your desk before you take a nap or leave the room because the damage on your laptop is not worth it at all. Also for the people who plan to game while they are in college or just to bring a TV along, you will probably struggle to use it while in bed. Biggest recommendation to try to make this better for you is secure the desk closest to your bed or get really comfy pillows to enjoy maximum comfort.

My final piece of advice is how to make it up there when you may not be in the right state of mind. The weekends are a time to celebrate let loose your friends and forget about all the work you have to do on Sunday night. It would be terrible to ruin it with a trip to the emergency room because you fell trying to make it up your bed. All I can say it take it one step at a time. Like a super complex project you need to take your time because you have a lot of it. You may try to act normal around your roommates, but your roommates are more concerned about your safety than whether or not you had too much at a party. Stay calm, cool and collected have your comfy slippers on carefully go up those steps.

Good luck to you all and I hope this advice can help make getting adjusted to living on the top bunk. It is tough at times because there just so much more you have to do, but definitely, will make you appreciate staying on a leveled bed. You will leave this stronger and willing to take on anything ahead of you because only a small group of people went through what you went through. You are awesome and you can do anything you put your mind through, you are the top-bunk survivor!