One of my friends recently wrote a blog post on community living at College and it struck me how different everybody's experiences community living are.
So many variables have to be taken into consideration in order to gauge one's response to the idea of living in a college environment. Personality is a significant factor - an extrovert can enjoy sharing with a large number of others but be frustrated when others are busy and there seems to be nobody around. An introvert can struggle with being overwhelmed by people always being around and a lack of personal space.
For some of the girls I live with, moving to college has been the first time they've moved out of home. For them, college can be an experience of the freedom they have yearned while living at home as an adult. Some of them go back home on weekends to catch up with family, friends, washing, etc.
For others, moving to college has meant moving from interstate or from country NSW and all that is familiar is a long way away.
In some ways, I've been surprised by my own reaction to living at college. As an introvert who has lived alone for a number of years, I expected the adjustment to be significant. And it has been. However, not always in the ways that I imagined.
I had had more than 12 months to really adjust to the idea of moving to college, of moving away from friends and family, of living in one room. Of course the reality is always different to the idea but I think, overall, that I had prepared myself well mentally.
People have often asked me if I miss having my own kitchen and I have to say that I generally haven't. Although I don't mind cooking, I don't find it relaxing the way some seem to and I really only enjoy it when I feel I have time to enjoy it. Throwing something together for dinner after a long day at work was never my idea of fun. So having meals provided suits me fine. Having to go up the road for every meal and being told what time I'm to eat every meal is, however, sometimes a real drag. Having to engage in small talk over every meal is also sometimes just hard work.
What I have really missed is a loungeroom. I spend a lot of time in my room and, quite frankly, I get really tired of only having my desk or my bed to choose from. Somewhere to kick back and unwind is sorely missed.
I also get frustrated by the bathroom arrangement. I've lost count now of the number of guys who I've unexpectedly found in the corridor as I come back from the shower in a robe. Not usually my preference!
There are definitely advantages in living in community - the commute to college is a breeze and there are always people around when you need help of some sort.
However, please pray for me (and my housemates) as we deal with living together. Pray that I will be gracious and tolerant and that I will be always looking out for the needs of others.
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