“You can’t room-ban your own roommate, apparently” – Fischer W, Privett ‘15
My roommate and I are quite different: I am from frosty Fort St. James in north-central BC. He is Californian; I love to row; he plays rugby; I am stunningly handsome; he is not.
As I write this article, my roommate, Fischer W, sleeps. My fingers are cumbersomely clanging the keyboard of my extremely bright laptop.
My roommate, Fischer W, thinks that I am peevish. And he is right, I have my idiosyncrasies. My barely worn, still-clean clothes, scattered across our hardly visible floor, mingle with my sweaty sportswear (although in my defense, his kangaroo pelt sprawled across the carpet takes up most of the floor).
I am impulsive, a lion in a zoo, and Fischer is my tamer. As I become closer to being domesticated, for every dreaded inspection, I’m a little cleaner; for every prep, I’m a little calmer. I am learning, and it has only taken me two years...
During this time at Brentwood, I have learned that my room is my safe port. For me, it is the spot on campus to relax: it is my happy place. I have also learned that in order to preserve this, the coaptation of roommates is vital.
This can, at times, be hard, and, at times, you might just grow weary of your arranged partnership, but I have some tips, knowledge acquired firsthand from the frontier of love and annoyance, fought tirelessly for the past two years. These are the insights of Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, a man “wiser” as a result of his experience.
Don’t hang out with your roommate all the time -- at first. Realize that, over the course of the year, you will be spending a lot of time together; however, this does not mean shun them. It is a balance unique to every partnership, and it is only discovered through trial and error.
Recognize each other’s “pet-peeves”. If something you do, regularly, puts your roommate on edge, try to avoid doing that thing; but, if your roommate is simply being ridiculous with their requests, try and help them solve things so that it doesn’t bother them as much. If you can eliminate as many irritable habits as possible, it is more likely you and your roommate will get along harmoniously.
Help each other out. Your roommate is entitled to special treatment the same way a puppy needs to be pampered a little. If an integrant member of your dorm is absent for an inspection, don’t let them fail miserably: clean their stuff and welcome them home with open arms.
These tips are not guaranteed to work every time. There will be moments when you and your roommate won’t get along, and tension, there will be. Don’t fret. Just know that soon enough, it will be well again.
Wishing you the best, from Privett House, Dorm 8.
Jackson H, Privett ’15 (while Fischer sleeps!)
