Dorm life

 My second shot in "buhay kolehiyala" was spent in a posh dormitory just a stone's throw away from Ateneo de Manila University and a 10-15 minute jeepney ride from UP.  Fun?  It can be if you know how.  How did I survive a month being away from my family and with a couple of kids I hardly know? here are some tips:

1. Be friendly.  Smile.  It all starts from there. 

2. Respect personal space.  we all have a claustrophobic hiding somewhere inside all of us.  There's no problem with being comfy with your roomie.  Anyway, who knows how long you guys are gonna be stuck together but be careful not to come across as being too intrusive.  Learn to set boundaries. 

3. Never use their stuff without asking permission. 

4.  Set limitiations.  Learn that sometimes, being way too nice might not be a good thing.  Never allow yourself to be treated like a doormat.  Learn to say no sometimes. 

5.  Do your part.  Keep the room clean.  I'm lucky to have a regular cleaning lady to do most of the work for me and my roomie.  Nevertheless, I still see to it that I atleast keep our area clean and tidy by properly disposing my trash.   

6. Take a bath.  Nobody wants to be with a hobo. 

7.  Bond with your roomie.  nothing beats homesickeness than having a close confidante in your dwellings.  treat her like family. 

8. Never go around naked in your room especially if you have a roomie.  That's self explanatory. 

9. Be sensitive.  Know what makes your roomie tick and try to avoid that. 

10.  Dormitories come with rules and regulations.  follow them.