I got into residence on campus!...

[Locut0s]

Last edited Tue Sep 3, 2013, 05:20 PM - Edit history (1)

Just picked up my keys and I'm in my room now. Really sudden change but I think it will be good for me as it gets me away from my parents into an environment where I can always concentrate on my school work. I have been very worried as this semester approaches. I have my own room but share bathroom, kitchen and living room accommodations with 8 others.

Another nice aspect, aside from getting away from the parents is that I don't have to worry about the 30min - 1hour commute (depending on car or transit) too and from home every day. More time for work and leisure.

I had the idea of trying for residency only about a week ago and talked to my parents and psychiatrist both of whom thought it was a good idea. I was very lucky to get a place as they were full but I managed to snag one of the early clear outs.

I'll have to make sure to monitor myself and make sure I don't get depressed or anxious as my emotional issues may react to this. But I think it will be a positive. Again very sudden change, didn't know I was going to do this yesterday, having to move my stuff quickly tonight.

But its kind of exciting too.

[Xyzse]

1. Congrats!

Good luck!

[Wait Wut]

2. Gratz!

I think this will be a very positive move for you!

[HarveyDarkey]

3. You can do it, I know you can

You're gaining a lot more confidence lately. let it build.

[Locut0s]

10. Thank you Harvey...

Indeed I haven't had this much confidence in a long long time. However it's still confidence that's not backed up by much experience or success, and I have a long history of failure after failure due to giving up.

[HarveyDarkey]

13. Then the solution is easy...

Don't give up. You've got it in you, we all know that. Now, you only have to convince yourself.

[Paulie]

29. Yep

Commander Taggart says it best:

[Denninmi]

4. I think that is a great step.

You have courage in spades, even if you aren't quite sure of that yet.

[Locut0s]

8. Thanks Denninmi...

Just hope I don't bite off more than I can chew emotionally. Though it feels like possibly this may be less stress in some ways. I already have the stress of all the school work to deal with either way. This will remove the stress of the enmeshed home environment I'm in right now. I'll probably have some difficulty adjusting at first and may be home sick but that shouldn't be too bad I hope.

[Denninmi]

17. Your DU family is always here as support.

24/7 like I said somewhere in some post to you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Good for you, my dear Locut0s!

That is a great move!

I did so much growing up when I lived on campus. It was excellent getting away from the parental units, lol!

It is exciting esp. since you didn't have time to put up any real resistance.

[Locut0s]

6. That's true Peggy...

If I had time to discuse and mull over the issue I'm sure I would have become much more anxious and thought twice about it. I'm sure I'll still have a few issues and may be a bit home sick for a bit but it really does feel like a step in the right direction.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. I really think you'll be fine!

It will help you make new, much healthier habits.

I believe that you'll discover you're way more resilient than you ever thought!

[Wait Wut]

14. "...I'm sure I would have become much more anxious..."

That one sentence says it all, really. If you were as unsure of yourself as you think you are, your instinct would have told you to pass on it.

You took it. You are much more courageous than you think you are. That inner Locut0s is being more vocal about their situation and they want a place of their own.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

9. Never fear to spread those wings!!!!

Last edited Tue Sep 3, 2013, 09:53 PM - Edit history (1)

And if you get a little down, remember that we Loungers are here! We will be more than happy to cheer you up, or just to hear you out if jut having an ear will help!

I know many has been cheering me on with all my troubles! I am ready, more than willing, and supper able to cheer you on!!

[Locut0s]

11. Three Cheers for Lady Freedom! Let's hear it for Lady Freedom! Thank You!...

I will indeed probably post in here a little more, when I have time, due to this being a comfortable and familiar place. and all the wonderful people here like yourself!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

24. You are the one that deserves the cheers!

This is the start of some Great adventures.

College was the time I learned more about myself than I knew was possible.

This Is Your Time! FLY HIGH!!

[In_The_Wind]

12. That's very cool!

I'll be here when you need someone to chatt with.

[Locut0s]

15. Thank you very much ITW!...

I may indeed be posting and talking more here as this is a familiar and friendly place. Thank you!

[joeybee12]

16. Congrats and enjoy!

[Locut0s]

20. Thanks joey...

Never been a partyer and don't plan to become one, I know many see dorms as just an excuse to get wasted with friends all the time. Luckily the university I got to is, on average, much more goal focused so there's less of a rowdy atmosphere and I understand from the housing coordinator that the other guys in my unit are quite good.

[hopemountain]

18. congratulations, locut0s

most university campuses have many resources for helping you manage the low points and i encourage you to use them. btdt, myself, many years ago. keep us posted

[Locut0s]

21. Thank you. I should try to make use of some, even though...

Even though my first inclination is to hide away from people. I've been trying to socialize more over these last few months. This will only force me to work on those skills all the more. I'm not at all antisocial, I just prefer to hide away and get very anxious in new social settings.

[Locut0s]

19. My parents are actually footing the bill for this...

They have offered to pay for my tuition and books but I said no to those I have saved up enough on my own for those and felt guilty having them pay for that. I've been living at home too long and should owe them money really. But here I will allow them to pay, I could technically pay for this too, have enough saved, but it would eat into things uncomfortably.

[B Calm]

35. The best gift I gave my child was an education.

[rurallib]

22. A new chapter in your life

with new stories and a new cast of characters - sounds quite exciting.
You can do ti!

[fizzgig]

23. excellent!

i think it will be a positive thing for you.

i don't know how experienced a cook you are, but the cooking and baking group is awesome if you need recipe ideas or any type of help.

[Locut0s]

25. Anything is possible with Mac & Cheese and Ramen ;) ...

Thanks fizzgig!

I kid. I'm not at all a bad cook actually. My mother is an excellent cook and I've been learning from her for some time now. Mostly I make stir fries and other simple stuff but I know my way around the kitchen and can follow a recipe to success almost any time. And you should see me with a cleaver. My mother is Chinese and I learned from her to use one knife for everything, small versatile cleaver, the secret is to actually have your fingers as close to the blade as possible and move quite fast


All this said I'll probably have my share of Mac & Cheese and Ramen what with being lazy and being influenced by the other flat mates And it saves time if you have a lot of work to do.

[fizzgig]

28. sounds like you are set

i have a couple of lazy dishes i make from time to time. one is pasta and frozen peas dressed with butter and garlic salt (frozen broccoli is acceptable as well, but i find it mushy). the other is a box of mac and cheese, a can of tuna, peas and salsa. sounds horrible but it is so tasty. i am long overdue for that, but it grosses out my husband.

i usually keep some ramen on hand, but i throw out the packet, add frozen mixed veggies and dress with sesame oil, soy sauce and a bit of hoisin.

i eat a lot of noodles.

[steve2470]

26. congrats, good luck to you ! nt

[a la izquierda]

27. Good deal!

Remember, change might make you feel a little weird from time to time, but change like this is good.
Best wishes!

[Locut0s]

30. Moved in! Posting from my dorm room :P

Thanks for all the support guys. My room feels like home already in some ways. Now to just wait for the crushing weight of all the work they say this semester is supposed to be, 7+ hard courses. Yipee.

[u4ic]

31. Congrats! It will be life changing for you

[Locut0s]

34. Thanks u4ic, that may be true...

I've never been alone like this my entire life and I'm 31, but I'm not looking for life changing so much as just the strength to get through this semester and the next. If it's life changing that will be icing on the cake. The flat mates I've talked to here mostly seem very nice and I've already made a few potential friends

[MiddleFingerMom]

32. Scout out your Student Union and the Library -- often dorms are reminiscent of "Animal House"...

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... with drunken yelling and hootin' n' hollerin' and banging on random doors and/or walls.
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If you get lucky, you'll be in a dorm that's more conducive to study and work than that type.
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But if you don't, be prepared to adapt and spend your study time elsewhere.
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My folks were footing MiddleFingerMomTim's college expenses and he told them in his sophomore
year that he couldn't get any work done in the dorm because of MAJOR distractions like the above.
They thought he was just trying to get them to give him money for an apartment, so they sent me
up to "investigate".
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I was in his dorm for about 10 minutes the night I got to his college before I called them and
said, "Apartment it is!!!"
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It was awful.
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MiddleFingerMomSis had us up for a weekend once at her college (I think we were about 13 and 9)
and we stayed in her BF's dorm. It was pretty quiet most of the time, but they had a Student Dorm
Monitor who was a dick. They all had copies of the Beatles' White Album (or was it Sgt Pepper?)
with the rooster crowing loudly. This was the day of good stereos with enormous tower speakers
and they would all BLAST that rooster one after another working their way down the hall and
feigning ignantz and innocence when that DM came racing down the hall to write up whoever was
responsible.
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Kept him running quite a bit some nights.
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(edited to add) BTW... this from Wait Wut:
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You took it. You are much more courageous than you think you are. That inner Locut0s is being
more vocal about their situation and they want a place of their own..
.
You'll do just fine. Any anxiety, just stop in here.
.
.
.

[Locut0s]

33. Thank you MFM!...

I've been with my dorm mates for some hours now and I have to say so far they are living up to the good reputation I've heard of them from the Housing Office. They are a nerdy bunch for the most part so they actually are interested in getting work done and learning from being here. That's not to say I don't see some alcohol and potential rowdiness here but it seems nowhere near Animal House like. I know what you mean though dorms are notorious for that type of stuff. Apparently this group of guys are well known for being somewhat model "citizens" among the other units. Looks like I lucked out! Thanks for the support, I may indeed stop by more often as I'm sure I'll be stressed a bit in the coming days.

[davidpdx]

36. Hopefully noise isn't an issue

I lived in dorms as an undergrad and the football players who lived under me had massive parties. All in all I enjoyed the experience of living in a dorm then when I was younger. I couldn't do it now though. I've become more noise sensitive as I've gotten older. When I worked on my master's I didn't live in a dorm and I don't now as a doctoral student.

The first couple months I was there I made some good friends. It was winter and it snowed a lot. For some reason (that I can't remember now) we were outside and decided to take our shirts off and pose for a picture. Completely stupid, but it was fun.

[MiddleFingerMom]

37. My roommate in Germany was on the International Ski Patrol and was assigned to a slope...

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... near Zoll, Austria. I gave up in the early afternoon and went into the gasthaus halfway down the
mountain and was drinking MASSIVE amounts of gluhwein (m-m-m-m, gluhwein) with his GF, who
had sprained her ankle while skiing the week before.
.
Eventually, we realized that neither of us had ever heard of anyone making a naked snow angel and,
of course, we decided that we had to rectumfy that oversight. Outside and, with clothes quickly shucked
off, we made the most beautiful naked snow angels the world had ever seen... or was ever likely to
see again.
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Naked in public? It was an Austrian ski slope -- anyone who saw us probably said, "Meh." Aided by the
fact that it wasn't in the least romantic... just seriously artistic.
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And, having made that naked snow angel, I found out something about myself.
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I've got a really nice ass.
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[davidpdx]

38. Well Europe is pretty liberal

If you tried that in the US you'd probably get arrested. Lucky for us we only had our shirts off.

[Locut0s]

40. Would you really?...

I think you'd only get arrested if you were being rowdy as well. Though I know there are public indecency laws. I guess it would also largely depend on where in the US you were.

[davidpdx]

41. Yeah that and it would depend onn who saw you doing it

if you were being quiet and no one was around you probably wouldn't get in trouble.

[Phentex]

39. That is great!

I'm excited for you! I think it will be very good for you and I hope you have fun.

Congratulations!

[riderinthestorm]

42. Have fun with this. Thank god you have a door you can close

for some "space" between you and your roommates when you need to retreat. It sounds as though you have a pretty compatible group however!

Make sure you find your "away" place - the library or coffee shop where you can go to study or read so you always have an escape if you get stressed with the constant company.

[Locut0s]

44. Thanks, yes the library is a good such place...

And most of the computer labs on campus are good candidates as well. It seems quiet enough here that my own room will be my away place most of the time though

[handmade34]

43. Cool!

as a former 'Residence Hall Manager' at a small college, I know there are people around to talk to and get some support if you need it... don't hesitate... best of luck!!!

[Locut0s]

45. Thanks handmade, they use the title "Residence Advisors"...

Here for that position. What duties did you have. Our RA seems to be responsible for getting the guys together all on one page, letting everyone know about campus and community events, chairing meetings of the residents, acting a a go between and other minor things.

[handmade34]

46. I supervised the RAs...

and my thought is that if you can't find an RA to share with, there are usually others...