Assistant Editor's Two Cents

Hello, Bowie State University roommates! Let's talk about getting along with one another and lay down some rules when it comes to living with one another.  We must be positive because we are faced with touchy decisions and challenges especially class work every day.  I've been faced with all sorts of attitude issues while here at my stay at the old mighty powerful Bowie State.

Living with a roommate can cause a lot of drama and is not all it's cracked up to be. Think about it, you have options; either live by yourself and have you own freedom and come and go as you please or watch what you bring in the refrigerator and bringing people into your dorm room. Unless you are a freshman then you do not have a choice, but to have a roommate and even though you think you know a person as well as you think, but you are wrong because you never know a person until you live with them.  

Here are some short rules to surviving living with a roommate:

Number one: Have your own fridge and if it helps put a lock on it because it is a cruel world and people steal.

Number two: Keep your personal business your personal business because people will say stuff and turn it all against you in the long run especially when you get into arguments they will stay stuff and tell it to their friends

Number three: You are not a maid and some roommates love to cook and not clean up their mess and if you have a trifling roommate who does not want to clean then you must make it known and do something about it. Now when I say make it known, do not cause a scene, just sit down and talk with your roommate. It is all about your approach and how you say certain things that can be a positive rather a negative statement.

Number four: "What's mine is mine and what's yours is yours," unless it is a table or a chair and it is something that you have to share. At least have the common courtesy to ask. Do not ask too much because eventually you going to have to get your own and the more you ask for stuff the more you will not get it because you borrow too much.

In my past roommate experience, I had the type of roommate who did not want to tell anybody anything. I mean how would you feel if you came home tired from a long day of work and see 20 people in your living room making loud noises at a Super Bowl party that you were never aware of until you walked in the door?  It makes it easier if you just lay down some rules rather than just jump into something.

Now don't get me wrong, having a roommate is not always a bad thing but it not always a good thing either.  The good thing about having a roommate is that you have someone to keep you company when you have nothing to do. If it is your best friend then you have someone to talk to and share your thoughts and not think about anyone knowing your business.  If you need any help with an assignment or any advice especially if they are older then you have someone to help you out.  If you cannot figure out what to wear to the club they are there to help or just go with you. It all depends on who your roommate is and how well you know them. You be the judge; if you are going to have a roommate then set some ground rules. I know that everyone does not like rules, but it is for your own security and your own personal space. Good luck roomies!