How to Deal with Peer/Roommate Altercations

Roommates are one of the greatest blessings in your college experience. They are the people you share late night convos, Netflix binging, and Ramen noodles with. They are your at-school familia. But what kind of family doesn't fight? If you ever find yourself in an accusation or alternation, with a person you share you xx-foot-by-foot space with, heres how to solve the issue! (most issues, hopefully this helps).

**DISCLAIMER**: Nobody's perfect here and you can't please everyone. It's perfectly normal to deal with some extent of roommate or friend drama; especially in college where everyone is doing the most growing up they will ever do in their lives. It's important to NOT counter accuse. That's not how resolving an issue works.   Before you start blaming them, brush up your side of the issue first. You can't fix a wound by just adding more salt to it. 

--------------------------------------------   That Being Said   ---------------------------------------------

Here are some pointers to help guide you in the apology/confrontation process. Please feel free to use any part you feel suitable to your situation. You may seem like you are being the bigger person in this "fight" but it does help to deflate your ego at this time. 

Allowing myself to express my temporary thoughts on your situation was wrong. It was inconsiderate and carefree of me to do so.

State why his or her actions/your action made you upset. I didn't like it/feel comfortable when ________________________.

Talk about steps to recovery. How can this situation be avoided in the future so the rest of your college experience goes more smoothly? Actually DO mention your solution for the future.

All in all, sometimes saying sorry just doesn't cut it. Try to see your own fault in the situation, before you start pinning everything on them. We all fight, which helps us grow and learn from each other! It's all part of the college experience. Best of luck with your endeavors, and remember there is nothing that you can't overcome! Where there is a will, there is a way. You'll get through this. 

Happy Colleging! 

-DKB

The Beginning of Undergraduation

Freshman year of university! Woo-hoo! You made it! Welcome to the next best 4 years of your life. High school might seem like it was yesterday, but it does not even compare to the adventures you will have here in East Lansing. Welcome to the Spartan Fam and the greatest BIG 10 school in the nation, you should feel proud and lucky-mostly lucky.

Here are a few pointers to ease your transition into Spartan Nation:

• Stock up on Spartan Gear, you can wear your green hoodie everyday of the year if you really wanted to. Especially on game day, you will be happy you bought those green and white high knee socks and that Spartan hair bow.
  
•  DO NOT GO IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE BOOKSTORE. The big 3: The Spartan Bookstore, Student Bookstore and Ned's bookstore are the prime bookstores here at Michigan State. When your parents hand you $700 to buy all your textbooks, BE SMART with your money! You will thank me at the end of the semester, when you were able to rent a $150 textbook for $25. Go to chegg.com and order your books online. Expect for course packs, which are customized books your professor is going to make you buy to make themselves seem important and cool; or just because they hate you.
  
•  DO NOT SKIP CLASS. EVER. Yes, college isn't like high school. The majority of classes you take aren't going to take attendance. Your CEM 141 professor doesn't give 2 shits on whether or not you were at lecture last thursday. Just know, you are the one who is not going to know how to solve those bi-carbon equations when it comes time to study for that exam. Mid-semester, when the lecture halls are filled with sniffles and big ass winter coats, your professor will probably offer extra credit just for those kids who hiked all the way in the tundra just to get to the CEM lecture hall. And hey- maybe you will get out of class early!

• USE A FREAKING PLANNER. Its free. You should have gotten a free, fairly nice planner at your AOP orientation. If not, they have tons of free planners available at your major's college. Use the hell out of that baby. It will save your life. It will help you not to procrastinate and stay up til the buttcrack of dawn working on that two page paper for WRA. Less procrastination = more Netflix. Its a win-win. From due dates to parties, you can keep track of everything. Also, it is a fairly good idea to print your syllabi for all your classes so you have a quick reference for deadlines.
  
• Become buddy-buddy with at least one of your favorite professors each semester. Be on a first name basis with your professors, you WILL need letters of recommendation later down the line and for internships, so start now! Also if you really like the subject, ask them about what research they do and if you can assist them. MSU is a research-based institution, EVERY single professor at Michigan State is required to conduct research in their field of expertise. If you really like a professor and their teaching style, go to their office hours and kiss their ass. Not literally. Unless you're into that. No judgement. 

Until next time Spartans!
DKB