I was chatting with my two roommates the other day and they had a lot to say about what worked and didn’t work in first year.
I’ve since compiled a comprehensive list of their pearls of wisdom.
1) Be the initiator ⚡
Knock on your neighbour’s doors, ask classmates to grab lunch after class, collect people’s Instagram handles in the elevator.
2) Go to movie nights 🎥
Their advice is to specifically attend the Queer Orientation movie night, but residence events are just as great.
3) Avoid coffee on an empty stomach ☕
If you’re feeling nervous, this will only amplify those feelings.
4) Recharge your social battery as needed 🔋
Know your needs and don’t feel pressured to hang out with people just for the sake of ‘being social.’ If your social battery is at a 0, feel free to let people know and chill alone in your room.
5) Loiter in the caf and hallways 🤝
We’ve met a lot of close friends just by being at these places for absolutely no reason.
6) Chicken salad is not salad with chicken 🥗
Roomie was quite sad when she discovered this one.
7) Gartic Phone is a great game for friends 📱
It’s easy, online, free, and you can make a lot of group inside jokes through it.
8) Consider getting an air conditioner 💨
Really only necessary if you are very particular about the room temperature… but roomie insists it is vital.
My roommates and I wish you a very fun, experimental, and rewarding first year of uni! Feel free to drop a comment if you have any questions and I will consult my 2 in-apartment experts before replying.
Cheers to the new school year,
Anisha Latchman
2nd year CS & CogSci | Life @ U of T Digital Storyteller
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