Getting Along with Your Roommate

Hey guys,

So I have been thinking about this a lot lately as people have been getting settled down in their dorms, apartments, and roommates for the rest of the school year. I thought it would be a good time to post about how to get along with your new roommate (whether you have known them before or not).

My freshman year, I was extremely lucky to have a really great roommate. She and I got along so well that now we are great friends. We didn’t fight much, and respected each other to a good degree. Now, I am in an apartment off campus living with three guys (including my brother). Although I now have my own room, I find it harder to get along with them than I did with my previous roommate. She also has a harder time getting along with her current roommate, as she lives on campus again this year.

So, if you find yourself having a harder time getting along with your roommate, try and keep these things in mind.

1) (if you’re a freshman) He\she is just as new and scared of the new campus as you are. They are also getting used to their new schedule and new lifestyle. Give yourselves time and be sure to console with your roommate. It will give you two a chance to bond and you may also pick up some good advice.
2) Be completely honest in your roommate agreement. If you don’t want your roommate borrowing your clothes, say no! It may be awkward at first but it will work out better for both of you in the end.
3) Listen to your RAs when they tell you to tell your roommate whenever you may have a problem with them. Is he being too loud getting ready in the morning? Do you not like falling asleep to the TV on? Let them know.
4) Don’t complain about your roommate to friends. This will give you more reason to not like them because you will be complaining to yourself and once you start telling people, it will become more than true in your mind.
5) Try to see from each other’s point of view. If she is going out late every night, find out why and don’t judge her. If he has depression, don’t beat up on him, just take a moment to try and understand where he’s coming from.

These are just five of many tips on getting along with your roommate. If you have any other questions about college roommate living, then feel free to comment or send me an email at northernazcollegelife@gmail.com. Even if you need some specific advice on getting along with your roommate, feel free to message me and I will respond to you privately. 🙂

Roseberry Hall

Roseberry apartments are one of the three female-only halls on NAU’s campus. Located on North Campus, they are well known for their quiet coziness and their participation in events such as Save Our Peaks.

Each apartment includes: 3 beds, a shower and bathroom (1 sink, 1 mirror), 3 dressers, 3 desks, 3 wardrobes, a bookshelf, and a kitchen (with fridge, gas stove, microwave, sink,  and table with 3 chairs).

One of the three beds is a loft with room underneath for a desk/dresser. Rooms on the west side of the building feature sliding glass doors. All apartments have carpet.

Each apartment also includes a bookshelf for all of your textbooks.

The community features a front desk, laundry facility, on-site mailboxes, TV and study lounge, exercise room, and a common balcony.

Exact dimensions can be found at http://nau.edu/Residence-Life/Housing-Options/Residence-Halls/Roseberry/

Information and room layout found here.

Thanks to Jamie for the pictures of her apartment!

Google Questions

This is a master list of questions that you guys have typed into Google to find my page. I’ve seen a lot of these questions and have been able to answer them. The ones I don’t know? I ask around. I will continue to keep track of the questions and add to this list as I go. Hope this helps!

1) Do any of the NAU dorms have air conditioning?
No. Unfortunately, none of the NAU halls have air conditioning.  This is their way of saving energy (Flagstaff is a very very GREEN town; everything is about saving the world). However, fortunately, it’s pretty cold most of the time you’re here. With the exception of summer terms and the first month of school, air conditioning is never really even needed. We do have heaters! However, only controllable by the Resident Hall Director (however, you can change how much heat you want in your room). Suggestions to get around this? Buy a fan. I’m not talking about a little mini desk fan, I’m talking a big guy. It will help not only keep your room cooler during the hot month, but also keep your room more sound proof from the hallways!

2) I’m too scared to meet people in my dorm hall.
Why? Honestly, there’s no reason to be scared! Sure, a lot of people can be immature, but for the most part, people in college are really nice. At NAU, almost everyone opens the door for you. However, if you’re scared, just remember other people are scared as well. It’s a new environment for everyone in your hall (considering you’re a freshman). Suggestions? Keep your door open! This is an invitation for others to stop by and say hello! It might be awkward at first, but you’ll be living with these people for the next 9 months, so it always helps to get to know them. Also, visit rooms with their doors open! It shows that they’re looking to meet new people and get to know the people around them. Overall, don’t be scared. People are nicer than you may think, especially when everyone else is scared as well!

3) Which NAU freshman hall has the most guys?
I think I posed this question before on the Life as a Lumberjack Tumblr. I believe Sechrist may have the most guys, however I’m not sure. It also ranges year-to-year depending on how many/what types of applicants NAU gets. For the most part, NAU is mostly girls. I’ve heard a rumor that it’s about 2-3 girls per guy. For guys, that’s a good thing. For us girls, not so much.

4) What are different ways to rearrange your dorm room?
I am actually planning on making a post about this. I will link to it as soon as I do! For the most part, it ranges on your creativity level.

5) What are the first few weeks of school like?
Well gosh. This certainly depends on your grade level. However, since I’m a freshman, I will answer this as a freshman.
The first few weeks are honestly a little bit intimidating. You’re having to get used to a whole new environment and schedule. The first day of classes are usually a bit hectic. There are always freshmen scattered everywhere with obvious confused looks on their faces. Everyone is either lost or carrying around a map. There are those few (including myself) who know their way around, but for the most part, it’s a confusing mess. The first classes are intimidating. However, the first week is always syllabus week. This means professors spend forever lecturing on what the semester is going to look like. Make sure you hold on to your syllabus’. They have important dates, deadlines, and grade information.
After the first week, you usually fall into a schedule and routine. You know where your classes are, you know how to get back to your hall (I’ve had a freshman ask me where her hall was), and you know what your classes are like, for the most part. This is the routine you’re stuck in for the next semester. You’ll meet new people, either learn to like or hate your teachers, and learn that procrastination is no longer a viable option in college.
It’s fun. The first few weeks are exciting.

6) Can freshmen live in Gillenwater Hall at NAU?
No. Gillenwater is a sophomore hall  located on North campus across from the Union. Freshmen are not allowed to live in it. Freshman halls include Sechrist, Allen, Reilly, Wilson, Cowden, Tinsley, and McConnell.

7) How do I move all my stuff into the dorms at NAU?
Most people use cars & boxes. Once you get to your hall at NAU, you check in, they give you your key and a cart (if you need one) to put your stuff in. Then, bring your stuff to your room, and put it in there.

8) Do you like Northern Arizona University?
Yes. I love NAU. Honestly, I love the atmosphere, the people, and the classes. I like how everything is walking distance and it’s a beautiful walk (with the exception of the large amount of construction that always seems to be going on). I would recommend it above any other Arizona school.

9) How do I tell dorm to be quiet?
Talk to your RA. If your floor is having issues and it’s past quiet hours, they can certainly write them up. Even when it’s not quiet hours, there are courtesy hours, meaning they cannot simply blast their music and scream down the hall. The best thing you can do is talk to your Resident Assistant. They will be able to help you out.

10) If you’re a girl can you have guys roommates at NAU?
No.

Dorm Life – Review

Disclaimer: This is MY personal review of living in dorms. Just because I’ve had a nice time doesn’t mean everyone has. However, this is how I feel about it. If you don’t agree, voice any concerns in the comments. Thank you!

Hello and greetings to incoming freshman considering whether it’s a good idea to get a dorm on campus for your first year in college. I felt it would be nice for you guys, while I’m in the midst of all these room tours (which you should definitely check out), to explain what life in dorms is like and how I feel about living in dorms, especially during freshman year.

I’m about halfway through my first year in college here at Northern Arizona University. I live in Reilly Hall, one of the biggest freshman connection halls on campus. Each floor has about 100 people living on it. This means 100 girls all sharing the same 5 toilets, 7 showers, and 2 sinks. Yeah. Sounds like hell at first.

Honestly, it’s really not as bad as it sounds. I’m almost through my first semester and I’ve never had to fight over a toilet or shower. It really does not feel like there are that many girls living here. Also, the hallways really aren’t very loud. There are some halls (i.e. Cowden) that have 24 hour quiet hours. Reilly doesn’t, but it’s still pretty quiet for the most part.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard the horror stories of hearing neighbors during their “special time” with their significant other through “paper-thin” walls. Don’t forget those rumors of neighbors blasting rap or country at the highest level on a Tuesday night. However, I haven’t ever had an issue with this. My roommate and I keep a fan on all the time, mostly to keep it quieter in our room (doesn’t seem to make sense until you try sleeping and hear people out in the halls having a grand ‘ole time). We’ve never had any issues with our neighbors, and for the most part, we all stay friendly and keep to each other.

There are people that have plenty of issues with their roommates. I’ve heard countless stories of, “my roommate does this,” and, “my roommate does that.” Honestly, my roommate and I got really lucky with each other. We get along so well and have never fought. As long as you don’t mind sharing your space and having someone around a lot, issues with roommates should happen less often. Also, if you do happen to have issues with your roommate, your Resident Assistant is there for help, tips, and even to help straighten things out between the two of you.

I can’t promise you there won’t be loud, rowdy neighbors, crazy roommates, the horrible nightmare of being “sexiled” (forced to stay out of your own room because your roommate is making love with someone), or even the occasional drunk partier stumbling into your room in the middle of the night, thinking it’s her room (it’s happened to my brother). However, I can promise you that it will be an experience of a lifetime. You meet new people, you’re close to classes, you’ll have fun activities with your crazy RA (Resident Assistant), and have that amazing college life experience that students brag about.

If I had the choice again between redoing freshman year in a residence hall (Dorm) or apartment, I would choose residence hall in a split second. Don’t miss out on this chance of a lifetime. When are you ever going to be able to have this experience again? Never. So live it up, get those crazy stories to tell your kids when you’re older and married, and enjoy life as a college student. I know I am.

-Ashley

McKay Village Tour

One of many types of apartments offered at McKay ranging from 2-4 students

McKay Village is a variety of apartments for upperclassmen. The types of apartments range from 2-4 students, depending on which one you receive. McKay is only available for students with 60+ credits (Juniors, Seniors, Graduates). It is located on Central Campus right next to Reilly Hall on University Dr.

Each bedroom offers a double bed, a three-drawer desk, a bookshelf, a closet, a ceiling fan, 4 outlets, and one window.

Non-university lofts are not allowed in the residence halls.

The living room offers 5 outlets, a couch, a coffee table, end tables, a window, and a ceiling fan.

In the bathroom (there are 2 in a 4-person apartment), there is one shower/tub, exterior sinks, a toilet, a vanity with three drawers, one outlet, and a mirror with an overhead light.

There is also a large kitchen which offers a fridge, gas stove, microwave, dishwasher, a pantry, five upper cabinets, five lower cabinets with drawers, a ceiling light, and five outlets.

The apartment also offers a hallway with a closet as well as a washer and dryer.

Another feature of the kitchen is it’s lovely breakfast bar with three stools.

This is a fully-furnished apartment. It offers a telephone jack and ethernet hookups. It’s open year-round and also has a convenience store and a Community center and game & exercise room.

Disclaimer: All the lamps shown in the room pictures are bought/brought from home, as well as the white 3-drawer bedside table thing.

Information and pictures thanks to Kristina G. and Northern Arizona University’s webpage.

Interested in sending in pictures of your place? Send them in to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com!

Reilly Hall Room Tour (Double)

Picture provided by NAU

As you walk down the hall inside Reilly you’ll notice a fun atmosphere of energetic freshmen excited as their first year in college rolls on by. Each floor offers its own lobby as well as 40+ rooms (with the exception of the first floor) with 2-3 people each. This room tour is of a double (2) room, so we will act as if this were the case. I will be doing a tour with a triple as well to show what those can look like.

In this room, there are 2 adjustable (but not loft-able) beds, 2 desks (with desk chairs), a small fridge (with a freezer), a trash can, a recycle bin, storage above the desk, 2 built-in closets, 2 dressers, a sink, a mirror above the sink with a medicine cabinet, and a large window. Everything else shown in  pictures did not come with the room; they were brought from home (or bought).

The above picture shows an example of something one could do with their room. The closet offers plenty of closet space, as shown:

Inside the closet there is a clothing rod, ability to put up curtains (through clips), and 2 large shelves with a divider between. When first coming into the room, the dresser is found inside the closet as well, however there are wheels at the bottom that makes it easily movable.

There is plenty of wall space to put up various wall-art. However, walls are too thick for staples or nails, so the only way to put things up are to use sticky substances. Command Strip has a nail that you can stick to the wall to hang up anything needing to be hanged (like the metal art that is shown above); however it can be a little pricey. There is a ledge above the 2 beds that stretches all the way across that allows thin objects to be placed above the bed. Note that the cabinet/pantry on the left of the bed did not come with the room. It was brought from home.

Speaking of wall art, there is plenty of space above and below the large window for any other wall decorations you may want to put up.

As I said in the above post, there are 2 desks and a fridge that comes with the room. The fridge, when first coming in, was originally placed between the 2 beds at the head of the beds. However, it has been moved in between the 2 desks. This makes it easy for any magnetic white boards or calenders to be accessed without having to buy any extra sticky substance for the walls (plus your snack food is right there). Every desk has a drawer, a storage unit (with capability to be locked), as well as 2 pull-out desks that makes it easy to do homework when there is a computer on the main part (as shown). Desk chairs do come with every hall, however not everyone has the same ones.

Here’s an example of the storage above the desks. It is about a foot and a half tall  and is great for iHomes, decorations, school supplies, movies, books, and anything else that you see fit.

The fridge (and a small TV brought from home).

A view of the sink in relation to the desk and bed. This was taken the day I moved in. This is why it’s different, messy, and with boxes. I forgot to take a picture of this area earlier. This will be updated at a later time.

Another note: Every room in every hall offers free internet, free cable TV (Reilly has assistance readily available to help with set-up of both), as well as a public restroom with public showers (and a bath?). There are 4 sets of stairs; one at each end of the building and one in the middle. There are 2 elevators as well.

I will put up pictures/information of the entire hall later on and link to it. Stay in tune!

Note: This is my room. This is also an example of picture’s I’d like from anyone submitting (make sure you remember the sink area if you have one. I originally forgot). Remember if you’d like to submit, check out the Guidelines  and email them to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com. The list of what I still need is on the sidebar on the left. Thanks!

Also check out Reilly Hall Room Tour (Triple).

First Few Weeks of School

Hey guys,

The past two weeks have been completely insane as I’ve been getting used to my new schedule with balancing school, friends, ect. I’ve been in classes, meeting new people, hanging out with old friends, and overall just enjoying my college experience as a freshman.

On Friday, it snowed on the I-17 outside of Flagstaff because it was so cold and rainy (snowy) out. My friends and I went to explore, but we went in the afternoon and by then it had already melted. However, we did have some fun taking pictures out in the forest, which I will post at the end.

As the third week is coming to a start, I just want to urge everyone to get to me with pictures and videos of their rooms. I still need someone to sign up for each dorm except for Reilly. I will probably be making and printing out fliers to post around campus to remind you. If you’re interested, or don’t know what I’m talking about, take a look at this link and this link. I’m really wanting to get these out there by the end of the month for future freshman applicants so they will know what they’re looking for when selecting their dorms. Not to mention current students who want to look at possible future dorms; so upperclassmen, send your stuff in!

Another note, I listed the halls in the sidebar on the left. The description is above the list. This way, you guys know what I do and don’t have. 🙂

Remember, if you’d like me to come and take pictures/video for you, just email me and let me know.

Also, I just wanted to announce again that starting next week, I am going to be an official reporter for NAZ Today. This means I’ll be more able to get stories and interviews, as well as the experience that comes along with it. This also means that I will be interviewing more people specifically for stories to post onto here every Sunday.

Once I start getting my dorm pictures/videos, I will be posting one every Wednesday starting this Wednesday with my own room as an example. Make sure you look out for that! If you are a follower of Life of a Lumberjack, I will also be posting a link from there so that you’re fully updated with my dorm posts. 🙂

If you guys have any questions or anything you’d like me to address in a future post, either comment or email me at northernazcollegelife@gmail.com.

Everyone have a good and safe third week of school!

Welcome to My Dorm (Reilly Hall)

Hello guys!

Alright, so yesterday was the big move-in day! I moved into NAU a day early to avoid the major crowds that are currently overwhelming all of Reilly hall and many other multifarious halls around campus (which I am VERY glad that I did and recommend doing this!).

Anyways, so I really like it. I love how I’ve been decorating it and I love the atmosphere that’s in Flagstaff! The rooms themselves are quite hot sometimes because there is no air conditioning…but when the breeze kicks up and with the fan it’s not too bad. 🙂

I have some pictures that I’m going to be uploading. This could count as my Reilly part of the dorm model thing I’m doing. REMEMBER. If  you want to have your dorm be a model for my dorm-tours…please contact me as soon as possible! Thank you! I am also going to make a video and upload that as well as the second part of the dorm tour. Keep in mind, my room mate isn’t moved in yet and won’t be until tomorrow, so her side of the room is quite plain. So I can show you guys what it looks like before its covered with decorations and things!

Here is my dorm room:

 

Now off to go figure out my oh so complicated bike lock…Wish me luck.

Dorm/School Essentials

So as we have one month left until school, I’m sure many of you freshmen, like myself, are wondering what exactly we are going to need for our dorms and just for school in general? It’s hard to know exactly what to get for when we start the new chapter in our life at college, and sometimes it’s hard to figure that out.

I’ve found two different sites that help a lot with that sort of thing. One is FreshmanTips, which I find to be very helpful in a lot of ways to freshmen. There is also this other site that I got emailed to me by a college-finding website I signed up for in my senior year. I usually delete those emails, considering I’m no longer in high school, but this one caught my eye, and I’m glad I did.

The links to the pages are here and here. So you can take a look for yourself, but I will highlight the things that seem to have stood out the most to me.

1) Don’t bring a lot of stuff; only what you need. I feel like this has been repeated constantly for a while on every site that has tips for moving into dorms. This is really helpful because I probably would have brought a lot of stuff…and ended up with absolutely no space in my room. When I pack, I’m going to be sure I set aside plenty of boxes labeled “For Storage” until I get an apartment…

2) Shower stuff (shoes, carrier, ect.) is a must. Don’t go unprepared with just a couple of shampoo’s and conditioner. Make sure you have a special set of shower shoes and some sort of carrier for your shower stuff. Otherwise, it won’t be too fun.

3) Extension Cords. I know for Reilly at least, there’s only one or two outlets. Well, keep in mind that we are teenagers…actually, we’re human. We have a lot of electronics. It’s the 21st century. Bring plenty of extension cords, or plan on buying them.

4) A fan. It may seem silly. We’re going to Flagstaff, one of the coolest parts of Arizona, and it’ll be the middle of winter. However, keep in mind that NAU does NOT have air conditioning. We are also going at the end of August, one of the hottest months of the summer. Your room will get hot. End of story.

I think those are 4 of the most important things. Obviously, there are plenty more important things, but I feel like those are things that people overlook, and I certainly did.

If any upperclassmen have any other input, please let me know. 🙂