Trash Troubles

     Everyone is responsible for their own trash. Seems reasonable, right? Well, make sure all of the people in your suite fully understand too. Otherwise the trash can in your bathroom will morph into a stinky heap. This is how to prevent that. Also, if something can be recycled, make sure to do your part to help the environment.     

Don't let this mess happen to you.

Come up with an agreement at the beginning of the year. For example, make a schedule, or decide who takes it out depending on who has contributed the most waste.

If it’s yours, deal with it. Don’t expect your suitemates to take out the trash if the majority of it is yours. Be respectful.

Be quick. Don’t let the trash sit there for ages. Organisms will grow from it, or live in it, and no one wants that.

Share your nasty trash stories in a comment!

Up next: Door Difficulty

Trash Talk

            Everyone gossips at least a little bit. Let’s face it. But, in a suite, gossip can turn your situation into a disaster fast. Here is how to play it safe.

            The walls are not as thick as you think they are. Your suitemates can hear just about everything you say.

            Don’t talk badly about your suitemates in your room, and especially the bathroom. You might think because the shower is on or music is playing that there’s no way they can hear you. Wrong.

            Too much trash talk can lead to a more intense battle. I’ve heard horror stories anywhere from locking each other out of the bathroom to putting someone else’s hair in their suitemate’s bed to get revenge. Not fun for anyone.

            Moral of the story is if you truly feel the need to discuss an issue about your roommate or suitemate, do it with someone who is disconnected from the situation, and in a place other than your room.

Next week: Rubbish Removal

Suitely Singing

            My dorm room is quiet. I’m reading my history book sprawled out on the floor while my roommate is writing a paper at her desk. It’s peaceful and serene, until suddenly a burst of off-key melody comes booming through the walls. We both look at each other is disgust.

            Yes, that’s because our suitemate is singing is the shower. She does it often, and I’m sure I am not the only person who’s had to deal with this issue. To tune out the noise, try turning on your own music loud enough to cover the ruckus, or listen to your MP3 player with headphones. If the problem is persistent, just ask your suitemate politely sometime if he or she could try to keep it down, or mention it in your roommate agreement form.

I hope no one ever has to deal with a suitemate like this one!

Up next: Trash Talk!

Cooking Correctly

            Nothing is worse than coming home to your dorm room and a foul odor hits you in the face because your suitemates burnt popcorn. Unfortunately, this will probably happen to you at least once, but probably more, during your college career. So far this year, my room has reeked of burnt popcorn, on at least seven different occasions, because my suitemates cannot seem to figure out when to take the bag out of the microwave. Don’t be that person.
            To ensure that you don’t cause your roommate or suitemates to resent you for your awful microwave cooking habits, make sure you watch the time and stop the popcorn after you hear two seconds in between each pop. For a more detailed list of tips and how to remove the smell if you ever do accidentally burn your popcorn, visit this site.

Happy popping!

Next Week: Singing in the Shower