East Tennessee State University - Buccaneer Yearbook (Johnson City, TN)

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20 Is this really Home 0 By Kim Alvis Ah, dorm life! You don't know the joys that dorm life can bring until you take the plunge and move into one. As a seasoned veteran of dorm life G've lived in three dorms and have had five different roommatesl, I consider myself an able source to let those of you not-so-lucky commuters in on the pleasures that come with the territory. Put yourself in my place! First of all, when living in a dorm, you have this strange ritual called room check. This occurs usually once a week when the RA tresidence assistantl on your floor comes to see if all is well with you and your roommate. In theory, you're supposed to have the garbage out and the dishes clean, as well as other household drudgeries. Experience comes in handy at this point. When school is in full swing, and yOulre much too busy with everything else that is going on to deal with housework ldorm workD, you learn very quickly how to stash the trash and hide the mess that once was yOur dishes - just long enough to get past room check. Of course, yOu will take care of the matter properly when you have more time a say when the dishes began to grow a fuzzy green covering. Next, yOu have what is known by dorm veterans as quiet hours. Sup- posedly, this is the time when every- one in the dorm is quiet enough to let those who want to study do just that. But, somehow, they lwhoever is in chargel scheduled the so-called quiet hours just when everything in the dorm gets cranked up a stereos, TVs . a y0u name it! And, alas, if you do choose to study, you often have to have tremendous powers of concen- tration, or you have to go to the li- brary. Another crucial part of dorm life is learning to live with other people in close and I do mean closey quarters. Students find time for other things besides stud- ies, such as television and listening to music. This student has all the comforts of home except space. STUDEN T LIFE Undoubtedly, you will end up with a roommate who has to get up for 8 am. classes every day a just when you have arranged your schedule so you donlt have to get up until IO am. And then there are those roomies who in- sist on getting up at 3 am. to cram for an exam .. just as you've dropped off. It seems the problems never end. But, don't get me wrong. Dorm life isn't all bad. In fact, you probably make the closest friendships of your life while living in college dorms. You do learn to live and get along with all kinds of people. You grow and you learn about life. And, possibly you have more fun than you ever will - living and learning in the dorms. Studying is an activity that takes up a great deal of students' time, and it is a common sight to catch people slaving away in the dorms.

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Becky EIIIott i : This bout with the refrigerator is probably the worst aspect of the move i -- especially if you don t have a lot of ' strong, able bodies arcund to help. The l problem Is intensified when you live on i the top floor of your building. I Once you're settled in, all you have :1 do is wait -- wait for your room- ? mate to arrive. There Is one advantage , to having a late-arriving roommate. Vt? ough. You have ample time to estab- I lish territory So, you can claim the bed libeside the phone or put all your post, hers on the wall of your choice before your roommate shows up. When your roommate does finally arrive, you must help himrher move in - just when yOu thought it was all over! l Eventually you do get settled In. and when you get your room looking the way you want it, you soon learn to love your new home. After all, you will spend countless hours there. Keep in mind these tips for next year' 9 move. The best way to ensure a smooth, easy move is to get into really good shape the summer before you mbve in, or else, latch on to a muscle- bciund boyfriend! I 9 STUDENT UFE

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Leisure activities are a much needed part of the Suzy Ackaouy college student's life. Robert Brown Gem and Robert Woody take time out for a game of Back- gammon. Photo lab 2 I STUDEN T LIFE