Each issue of Verbatim, there will be an article dedicated to giving advice on a student to student basis. This advice column is lovingly referred to as “Dear Susie” to keep anonymity among the Verbatim staff. Sending in questions is encouraged to help connect the BT community and to make Verbatim as relevant as possible to the student body. Questions can vary from academic dilemmas to personal (but appropriate) affairs. Feel free to send in topics through our instagram @btverbatim! Names will not be included in the articles and the Verbatim team will do our best to protect the privacy of those who send in questions. 

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Dear Susie, 

My college roommate, Ulga, will NOT stop bothering me!! I try to study or take a nap, and Ulga will keep talking to me EVEN IF I PUT MY EARBUDS IN. Also, Ulga will invite her friends and boyfriend back to our dorm even though I’ve told her that I want our room to be a space for just us two. Susie, PLEASE help me deal with my horrible roommate.

Sincerely, College Nightmare

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Dear College Nightmare,  

I am so sorry to hear that your college experience is not fully what you hoped it would be. College is a time to gain independence, build new connections and relationships, and thrive academically—and it’s very hard to do those things if you have a roommate who won’t respect you and your space. I think it is important to set firm boundaries with your roommate, and then enforce them. Rather than getting upset at your roommate temporarily and then forgiving their actions, make it clear that you aren’t ok with those decisions and in the future, your roommate needs to talk to you before inviting people over. If your roommate STILL doesn’t respect you and the conversation you will have/had about your boundaries, you may want to consider new living arrangements if possible. Know that your boundaries and feelings are valid and that it can be a challenge adopting a new living arrangement, and that is ok. Also, do not feel bad asking your roommate for quiet downtime—everyone needs a break!

Wishing you luck, Susie