LIFE IN RESIDENCE

What is Provided?

In SSR and WEST, each apartment is equipped with a refrigerator, stove, kitchen table and chairs, cable TV hook up and storage room. As this residence is apartment style, each unit has two bathrooms; one has a shower/bathtub. In UCR, there is a kitchen on each floor equipped with two stoves, microwave and table with chairs. Bathroom facilities in UCR are communal; there are three showers on each floor. In each bedroom, you are provided with a bed, garbage pail, desk with two drawers, chair, dresser shelves and curtains. In addition, UCR bedrooms provide you with a vanity and mirror.

 

What You Need!

Blanket/bedspread, bed sheets, pillow, dishes, utensils, pots/pans, cleaning supplies, towels, a mirror, laundry supplies, just to mention a few. If you live in SSR and WEST, make sure you don't forget toilet paper because it's not provided for you. In SSR and WEST, the apartment style arrangement facilitates the use of microwaves, coffee makers and all other basic kitchen appliances that you may need. As the apartments are not equipped with TVs or VCRs, if you desire these items, make sure to bring them with you. In UCR, there are TVs and VCRs in the common rooms. Remember that the living rooms in SSR apartments are not furnished, so don't forget your favorite couch or chair. Please note that appliances with heating elements are not allowed in bedrooms. Irons, however, are permitted. Due to the fire hazard they cause, indoor barbecues, candles and incense are prohibited anywhere in residence.

 

You might also want...

Calculators, camera, foam pad, posters, radio/stereo, computer, milk crates, thesaurus, dictionary, lamps (for additional lighting) and any other personal items that will help you make your room a home for the next eight months.   For those students entering first year, if you feel you require a refrigerator (or an additional refrigerator in SSR), it is in your best interest to purchase one now so that you can use it over the next 3 or 4 years in residence.

 

Roommate Starter Kit

You made it! You're a university student and chances are this is your first time living on your own, or so you thought! Once you sign into your RES room, you're never alone again.

If you're a first year student, you'll have a roommate; it's that simple. Of course the usual questions drift in your mind; will I like this person? What is he/she like? Do we have anything in common? Will I have any control over the TV remote? These are common questions that run through everyone's mind and you're not alone in this respect either. So how are you going to manage spending eight months in a residence room with a total stranger? Believe it or not, it can be done quite easily if you follow the steps below. Who knows, a great friend could be just a conversation away.

 

Step #1

Take a few minutes to swap information on some of the following:

  • your family
  • your hometown
  • why you chose Laurentian
  • your friends
  • your interests
  • your goals while at Laurentian

 

Step #2

Now that you have a basic idea of who this person is, talk about what you think living together will be like and try to establish some common ground, especially in terms of:

  • How each of you feel about your possessions (how far the borrowing privilege extends).
  • What your study habits are and how they are bound to affect your roommate.
  • How important cleanliness is to you.
  • What are your sleeping habits (window open/window shut).
  • What you like to eat.
  • The kind of sports you like.
  • The kind of music you like.
  • How you feel about overnight guests.

 

Step #3

We all react differently to situations and your moods will have a great (or not so great) effect on those around you, especially your roommate. In order to keep a good relationship, it helps to know what kind of reactions to expect from each other.

This might prevent World War III in your room. Talk about:

  • How you act when you are down or upset about something.
  • How you act when you are happy about something.
  • How they can know that you want to be left alone.
  • How you act when you are stressed or tense.
  • How to know when you tend to feel pressured.

You move in, meet your roommate, say goodbye to your parents and then what? You're right back to your roommate again and instead of staring at the floor and not saying anything, try following these easy steps. They may seem like common sense right now, but when you're faced with a stranger and the prospect of eight months together, communication is not always the easiest thing.

 

It is, however, the most important. Resident Assistants will tell you that the most important problems that occur between roommates could be resolved if the student spoke up when something was bothering him/her instead of letting things get out of hand. Quite often, students go to their R.A. before they have even talked to their own roommate, and nine times out of ten, your R.A. will recommend talking to your roommate and see what happens then. Constant communication is vital and without it you'll be amazed at how fast a misunderstanding can ruin a great friendship.

 

If you and your roommate have tried to establish a good relationship, but things just refuse to work out, talk to your R.A. or drop into the Residence Life Office (G-11) and explain your situation. They might be able to suggest ways to resolve the problem and help you enjoy and even appreciate each other. The last resort is a room transfer, which must be completed by your Resident Assistant. Sometimes things just don't work out, but it's still important for you to be happy. After all, this is your home. Remember to keep an open mind ...you never know who'll walk in.
 
 
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