Can't Live With Them, Can't Live Without Them

At this point, we have been students here at Penn State for 7 months now.  So that means 7 months of classes, tests, extracurricular activities, parties… and 7 months of living with our roommate(s).

After 7 months I’m sure you have all gotten to know your roommate(s) well.  Whether you like them or dislike them is a different story.

I got placed in supplemental this year.  When most hear the word “supplemental” they cringe (I did too at first), but I love all 4 of my roommates.  They were my first friends in this big and sometimes intimidating university, and now we are basically inseparable.  We go to lunch and dinner together almost every day, and whenever we go out on the weekends, we are always together. 

Some may not have been as lucky as I was though.  I’m sure we have all heard our fair share of roommate horror stories; whether it ranges from an unfriendly roommate to a roommate who is a down right slob. 

Currently I have 5 roommates.  However, at the beginning of the year there was a 6^th girl.  Don’t get me wrong, I personally liked her.  She was fun and exciting.  She did tend to cause a lot of problems though.  Problems such as: she would smoke weed in the room a couple of times a day (still not sure how we didn’t get caught), she always had her boyfriend over, and while he was a nice dude, they were constantly going at it in the shower, or sometimes just blatantly on her bed.

She ended up getting relocated to East in mid-October.  And even though I occasionally miss her, it was for the best that she left. 

So even though, as I mentioned, most of us have learned to deal with our current living situation, our roommate adventures don’t end once this semester is over.  Next semester we will have a new roommate, or new roommates, to deal with all over again.  Hopefully next semester you were able to room with a friend, but even if the person living beside you is your BFF, problems still arise when you are living with someone else.

Here are some tips to deal with problems that might arise between you and your roommate, whether it be this semester or any semester in the future. 

Be respectful: Despite how much your roommate may or may not annoy you, he or she is a human being with feelings.  Just because things may not be going your way, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.  Your roommate may live a different lifestyle than you and for the most part that’s ok.  Make sure if there are any problems, you talk it out in a calm, respectful manner.

Hands off each other stuff: This should go without saying, but you’ll be surprised how often this happens between roommates.  You borrow their hair brush once, no big deal right?  But that turns into borrowing their shampoo, perfume, and even clothes.  Just make sure you ask your roommate before going into their things. 

Talk to a close friend or an RA if the issue gets out of hand: An outside perspective on the problem will always helps. 

Here are some more tips!

• Here is some advice on how to be a good roommate
• Here are different types of roommates and how to deal with them

Ain't No Party Like a Penn State Party

Penn State is an amazing school.  We have some of the finest academics in the nation, with a large alumni network that makes finding a job after graduation a piece of cake.  The Penn State community is one of passion and pride, and it is recognized internationally for its greatness.

However, I’m sure you’re all aware at this point the reputation Penn State has for being one of the nation’s top party schools.

College is a time to experience new things.  With no parents around to tell them what to do, a lot of students tend to submerge themselves into the party culture here at Penn State.  If you’ve ever tried to catch the White Loop on a Friday or Saturday night, you might not be able to get on due to the sheer amount of students, dressed in party attire. 

Personally, I never drank alcohol in high school.  Not that I was against it, it was just that none of my friends did, therefore I never had any interest in it.  Also I was way too scared of my parents to try anything. 

Obviously as well all know, consuming alcohol under the age of 21 in the United States is illegal.  However, it is a rule that is hardly followed by the undergraduate population of this school.  Even if you don’t drink, I’m sure you know someone who does.

Whether you choose to go out and get wasted on a Friday night or stay in your dorm and study is a personal choice.  I live in supplemental in North Halls.  Let’s just say the residents of North Halls are not party people.  You will usually find them doing laundry or hanging out with their friends watching a movie on a Friday or Saturday night.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  Some people prefer being sober, they would rather not wake up in the morning with a killer hangover and a ton of regrets.

So, if you choose to go out and drink with your fellow peers, here are a some tips to keep in mind:

Know what’s in your cup: I know this seems kind of obvious, but fraternities can be a shady place to get liquor from.  Also it’s key to know what kind of alcohol you’re drinking, so you can gauge how much of it you want to drink before you get too drunk.  Any kind of liquor will get you drunk a lot faster than beer.  Also beware for mixed drinks: a lot of times they don’t taste like they have any alcohol in it but trust me, they do.

Don’t go out alone: Again, another obvious one, but bear with me here.  It is crucial that you not only go out with friends -- make sure you come home with them too.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost my friends at a party, and being alone in a basement with a bunch of shady frat boys and drunk girls can be scary.  Stick with your friends and look out for each other.  Besides, going out alone wouldn’t be as fun!

Still unsure?

• Here's a good article providing more tips on what to do if you plan to go out and drink
• Here's an article on some of the dangers of drinking

Where Oh Where to Study?

So you’ve been in school for about ¾ of a year now.  You’re a pro now, you’ve pretty much got everything down to a T.  You know your class schedule, you know where your favorite dining commons is, you know what nights your club meets, etc.

Here’s a question: do you have a designated study spot?

I’m sure most of you do.  And if I were to guess right, it’s probably the library.  Don’t get me wrong, the library is a great place to study -- especially our great library here at University Park . 

I remember taking a tour of Penn State as a high school senior, and arriving at the Pattee/Paterno Library.  Let’s be quite honest, the place is a maze and a half.  If you’ve ever been in the stacks and got out alive without a tour guide, I amend you.  Maybe you’re not like me, who gets lost in their hometown even though I’ve lived there since I was two years old.  But still, it is quite confusing navigating yourself around such a big place.

Still I love the library.  I feel like I’ve spent an adequate amount of time in the media commons due to this class alone.  I am particularly a fan of the Arts and Humanities section of the library, if I go the library to study, I will usually got here

So while the library is great, I think it’s good idea to recognize some of the other amazing study spots our campus (and downtown) has to offer!

Some people prefer to study in their dorm.  Most, like me, find that to be distracting, however there are people who can pull it off.

Most of the residence halls at Penn State have a designated study space.  Mine does, and I use it a lot.

The HUB can also be a great place to study.  It’s got everything you need from table and chairs to food (and more importantly, Starbucks).  I usually tend to use the HUB as a meeting spot for when I have to meet up with my fellow classmates to perform a group project.

While these spots on campus are nice, there are also places downtown that are great for studying.

Downtown has its own library, Schlow library, on the corner of South Allen and Beaver.  I’m sure most students have never been inside, but I have and it’s actually a nice and quiet place to get some studying done.

There is also Websters, one of my personal favorites although I’ve only been there a couple of times.  It’s a cute little bookstore/café located on Beaver.  They have tables and chairs where you can sit down and study, and their coffee is A+

So here is some advice on how to choose the study spot perfect for you:

Explore!  Like I mentioned before, I’m sure you already have your designated study spot.  However, if you try one of the different ones I mentioned, to your surprise you might like one better than your original spot.  See what works for you.  You want area where you’re comfortable and where you’ll be the most productive.

Here are some articles on finding a study spot

• Here is a list of some of the study spaces offered on the University Park campus
• Here are some tips to finding a good place to study 

GФNΣ GrΣΣk

In my last post I talked about ways to get involved on campus.  Within the different clubs and organizations I discussed, something to perhaps consider getting involved in would be Greek life!

One cannot deny the huge role the Greek Community plays at Penn State.  Although only around 17% of students are involved in Greek life, its impact on campus is huge.  From the Greek letters you see on student’s shirts to raging frat parties I’m sure you’ve all heard about – no one can deny the presence of the Greeks.

I never considered becoming a part of Greek life until this semester, when my roommate told me she was going to “rush”.  “Rush” is the process of joining a fraternity or sorority.  You go to different events and meet brothers and/or sisters from different organizations.  Through these events, the brothers and/or sisters determine if you’re qualified to join their organization.  And if they deem you qualified, you are given a bid, which you can accept or decline.  Rush is held both in the fall and spring semester, although not every Greek organization participates in Spring rush.

So I rushed with my roommate, and now we are both pledges at Phi Mu.  A pledge is a new member in a Greek organization. Usually one is considered a pledge for about a semester before they are inducted as an official brother/sister.

People have varying opinions on Greek life.  They vary from love, to indifference, to even contempt.  It is true that being at a part of Greek life, or even just Greek life in general, has its pros and cons.

Some pros are that joining a fraternity and sorority is a great way to make new friends with people on campus.  It allows you to form this sense of community within your organization, which makes a large campus such as University Park feel small.  Also, most Greek organizations are involved in philanthropy and hold many different funs events for charity.  Another pro is that being a part of a Greek organization can help you with job connections in the future.

There are also come cons that go along with Greek life.  Students involved in the Greek community are known to be heavy partiers.  They are known to promote underage drinking and similar reckless behavior.  There are also dues.  Being a part of Greek life is not cheap, each semester a student has to pay usually over $100 in dues to be considered an active member.

So are you considering joining Greek life? Here are some tips!

Do your research: Each Greek organization is different.  They promote different values, philanthropies, etc.  Make sure you know what each organization is about before you go through the process of rushing.

Attend Rush! As I mentioned, I never considered joining a sorority until my roommate convinced me to check it out.  And I’m glad I did.  Going through rush doesn’t mean you have to join any Greek organization.  You should go to check it out and see if you like the members in each organization.  You can always decline any bid you are given.

Here are some articles further explaining Greek life:

• ·      http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/greeks/
• ·      http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/twice-the-college-advice/2011/09/20/7-considerations-when-thinking-about-greek-life
• ·      http://www.thebestschools.org/features/joining-a-fraternity-or-sorority-real-pros-and-cons-of-greek-life/?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/