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Student Life

The Dos And Don'ts Of Communal Living

Written from the perspective of a grumpy sophomore.

Laura Maple

Feb 22, 2016

Gonzaga University

280

Gonzaga University

Living with other people is really difficult sometimes. There's a lot to learn when it comes to living in a dorm, and one of these things is learning how to live with others. I have compiled a list of ways to be respectful towards others and how to not be "that person."

1. Kitchen

Do: Run the disposal

Don't: Leave dirty dishes in the kitchen for an extended period of time

Do: Clean sponges by boiling them or putting them in the dishwasher, and switch them out regularly so as not to spread bacteria (sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria)

Don't: Use what isn't yours without permission

Do: Unplug the toaster when not in use to save electricity

Don't: Steal someone's colander and never return it (still salty)

2. Bathroom

Do: Clean up any water around the sink

Don't: Put food in the bathroom sink

3. Rooms

Do: Use headphones while Netflixing if your roommate is doing homework or sleeping

Don't: Install spring-loaded mattresses to get your roommate out of bed in the morning

4. Common spaces

Do: Respect others' property

Don't: Leave your stuff out indefinitely

5. Music

Do: Feel free to listen to music

Don't: Believe that everyone wants to hear your music

6. Quiet hours

Do: Respect quiet hours and courtesy hours

Don't: Get defensive and mad when someone tells you that you're being too loud

7. Laundry

Do: Set a timer for laundry

Don't: Disrespect others' laundry (i.e. putting it on the floor, transferring it to the dryer and starting it)

Do: Clean out lint screen in the dryer

Don't: Fold others' laundry

8. Shower

Do: Remove used bandages from the shower

Don't: Play shower music so loudly that people can hear it in their room with their door closed

9. Food

Do: Clean out communal fridge by discarding expired foods

Don't: Eat food that belongs to other people

10. Study spaces

Do: Use study spaces to your advantage

Don't: Ruin this advantage for others by being too loud

11. Parking

Do: Park well so others have room to park

Don't: Drive fast near pedestrians

Nobody's perfect, but it's important to consider how you're affecting others when living in a communal space. The most important thing is to be respectful of others and their property.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Dos And Don'ts Of Communal Living

Written from the perspective of a grumpy sophomore.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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