After living in the wonderful world of college dorms for the past four years there seem to have been quite a few things I took for granted…without realizing I was actually taking them for granted of course. Yes there are drawbacks to living under the roof that educates you: curfews, no illegal substances, limited guests, no toasters…(you get the point, I’m sure).

But as soon as you realize that those little draw backs aren’t that bad — it’s BAM — you’re on your own and taking two and half-minute showers just to be able to afford your rent. That’s with the part-time job you scored three months after graduation, and not including your income from various odd jobs you’ve been getting. And even though you can now hang your pictures with nails, which I’m sure is a huge bonus, there are other restrictions that you will have to abide to. Needless to say there are very few things I wouldn’t be willing to part with in order to get back the comfy dorm room living I’ve grown accustomed too.

So here are some things you should be thankful for having while living away from home:

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College is awesome. But every now and then I turn on the TV and catch a glimpse of a fictional one that just looks better. Non-stop parties, non-stop drama and perfect weather dominate my TV screen while I slip into the world of pseudo-college. These kids never seem to do any actual learning (but that’s clearly besides the point) and I can’t help but imagine my life frolicking around these campuses. The grass is always greener and I bet their cheep beer tastes better, too.

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During college, I had bad luck with roommates. I also lived in dorms or campus apartments for all four years, so I always had to have a female roommate. Which may have been part of the problem.

That’s why, when I moved halfway across the country for grad school and had to find a random stranger to share a new apartment with, I decided to look for a male roommate.

Via Craigslist, I found a guy who was looking to sublet his apartment because he was leaving the state. The three-bedroom apartment was about five miles from campus, fully-furnished, and coed-friendly, though the guys had never lived with a girl before me. Since I was scarred from several traumatic roommate encounters, I was hesitant at first, but really had no other choice. I met all of the guys for beers one night, and they seemed nice enough, so I moved in. Best decision of my grad school life.

Before I go into detail about why living with two guys ROCKED, let me first mention that it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops. These guys were slobs. I was usually the only one who did the dishes, and I cleaned up after them a few times a week. I also frequently woke up craving leftover pizza from the night before, only to find that the boys had eaten it. And left the empty box in the fridge. But, that being said, it was more than worth it, because we had a fantastic time. Read More »

When I typed up that post about Mizzou’s “Tiger Grotto”, I’ll admit that I was slightly embittered. But deep down, I know I’m not exactly a Grotto kinda gal, so I was able to dismiss it with one mere huff-puff.

THIS, however, truly incenses me: student living replete with private bedrooms and baths, Rachel-Ray-ready kitchens, maids, plasma screens, fitness centers, swimming pools, hot tubs and tanning booths? Next thing you know, they’re going to be eating foie gras with ivory forks while Robin Leach narrates their every move.

Listen. Not to be all “When I was your age, I walked barefoot in the snow,” but the first dorm room I ever lived in (at my pre-transfer school, which will go unnamed, but for the record was expensive) was 10’ x 10’…. and I shared it.

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