Articles of the Month

How to Survive Life in a Residence

How to Survive Life in a Residence (or, The Saga of a CEGEP Student ;))

Imagine your favourite soap opera coming to life. Or a summer camp. Yes, that's it, it's a summer camp for older kids that lasts all year or longer... and there are no counsellors. Adventure unlimited. At first I wasn't too thrilled at the idea of living in a residence for two years with people I had never even met. But the time passed really fast. So here are some lessons I learned (more often than not, risking life and limb) at CEGEP...

First of all you have to make a clear list of chores for everyone (for the common areas)... Who takes out the garbage, who sweeps, who cleans the washroom. When the same person has to clean the washroom for 5 or 6 weeks straight, they might be a lot less enthusiastic about the chore at the end than they were in the beginning...

Then there are pets. They keep you company, which is good, except:

1. When pets are not allowed on your lease.
2. When one of your roommates is allergic to them.
3. When the kitty litter can be smelt all over the building.
4. When the kitten you just smuggled home has a good voice and meows so loudly while you're out that it can be heard in the supervisor's quarters . . . over the television AND the radio. ;)
5. All of the above. (Guess how the story ends!)

Important Rule Three: be ready for EVERYTHING! Learn how to put out your burning dinner (before the rest of the building catches fire). Keep the number of Info-Health or the closest clinic at hand. Keep a stock of all kinds of medicine, ESPECIALLY the indispensable thermometer (I must have lent mine to at least ten people over the year!). Also, have a number to call if the bathroom ceiling (and door frame!?!) starts spouting huge streams of water...

You have to have some party rules as well. There's no reason not to go out if your class is at noon the next day, but your roommate (who has to get up at 5 a.m. to go to her internship) might be a bit mad at you if you if you have friends in till the wee hours . . . and people in neighbouring buildings aren't too happy about music outside after 11 p.m. I bet the police will come and remind you if you forget! ;)

And finally, as it says on the little cinnamon heart boxes: Say nope to dope!

Residences are not just housing, they are an adventure, and I hope all of you have a chance to experience them one day!