College Jolt

Ahhh…college roommates. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t afford to live without ‘em. Though I can’t proclaim to be the best person to share a dwelling with, I am certain that my house on the South Side of Pittsburgh has more memorable moments than I ever could have imagined- it’s a place where face-diving down the living room stairs happens on a regular basis. Welcome to life in my house.

Every experience living with roommates has been entertaining. And I have had my fair share of experience cohabiting with others. Over the course of four years, I have had 16 different roommates in three cities, two states and two countries. From Pittsburgh city life, to bella Roma, to the beaches of the Outer Banks, N.C., I have experienced every possible situation roommates could have. From being flooded out of an apartment by Hurricane Alex, to dealing with the wrath of a livid neighbor over a vacuum, to the glory of indoor food wiffle-ball games, there is always excitement.

Cheap Living
Economically, roommates are a necessary component to making rent payments after leaving the all-expense paid vacation of life in your parents’ house. But they are so much more than simply co-payers to monthly bills. They are the necessary elements to growing as a person. Roommates are the essential companions needed to fully experience all young adulthood has to offer. In some roommates, I have found guidance, inspiration and maturity. In times of need, a roommate is there to offer insight, help in the breaking up with a passing love, assist in re-hydrating after a long night out and even listen to frequent ranting sessions.

Good Times
Other roommates expose you to the true meaning of having fun. Some of my best memories happened within the confines of my apartment, from choreographing dances to avoiding work to spending the majority of junior year competing to be high-scorer on the Arcade Alley basketball competitions. These are the good times. Nothing can compare to almost nightly cookouts at the beach or the themed Yukka parties in Brottier. (For details on making a yukka, please inquire to bridget@collegeprowler.com)

Absurdity
Together with my roommates, we have shared some of the dumbest moments of our lives, like trying to give a dorm room a wall of mirrors, using double-sided tape, or trying to Slip ‘N’ Slide during a storm. But along with the bad ideas, roommates do reap the benefits of some of the finer ones, like installing surround sound in the bathroom or trying to invent new smoothies for study breaks.

Personal Growth
Occasionally, there are the bad times. But most are so frivolous, they are soon forgotten and not worth mentioning. In retrospect, these instances are actually funny. Like the time I moved my mattress in the middle of our floor in protest of bunked beds, or when I discovered the aftermath of a projectile Capri Sun on my photojournalism portfolio. Now, I laugh. At the time, it was a different reaction.

Learning to live with a roommate, or two, or six, can be difficult, but it is always a positive growing experience. Diversity in any living situation offers new perspectives to life. After living with three guys, I have come to appreciate some aspects of male habitation. During this time, my red meat intake greatly increased and I now have nothing but respect for a man’s ability to grill.

Random Houseguests
Aside from culinary perks, roommates add one more spice to young adult life: the ever so prevalent houseguests. Sometimes these guests are in the house more than some roommates. During the summer, my house became a hostel for any familiar face, some staying for months at a time. These couch dwellers are an essential part of communal living. I love houseguests. Some will fix your broken computer for a case a beer. Some fly to the country and surprise you on your birthday. And there are even some, who instead of stealing your food, steal your heart. In any respect, it’s just a little more excitement to an already enjoyable living situation.

Though I look forward to one day moving into a place I can have all to myself, I am certain the perks of having roommates well outweighs the drawbacks. So to all the roommates I have had the pleasure of living with, thank you for being a friend.

(Photo courtesy of passiveaggressivenotes.com)