The JLBats Diary: The College Years

JLBats

The boney king of nowhere
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So as of tomorrow I'll be moved into a dorm room and living on my own for the first time in my life.

An exciting prospect.
Tonight, I saw all my friends and said goodbye for the last time until I come back for Thanksgiving. Whiiiich was suitably depressing.

So, as I teeter on this hazy line between childhood and adulthood, I ask: What was your first experience living on your own? How was it? Any funny stories? Any cautionary bits of advice?

(I'm bored to death and feel a loneliness that I fear is only going to increase):csad:
 
I first moved out when I was 18. At first, I was kind of nervous, because I now had alot more responsiblity. But at the same time I was excited. When you're 18, you think you're just the coolest for having your own place. You can be as loud as you want, throw parties, have girls stay over, etc...

The best advice I can give is. Stay ahead of your bills and put aside some "play money" Although, since you're living in a dorm, you don't have bills to pay. But it will help you get in a habit for when you do move into your own place.

I can honestly say, the best times I had were my usual party nights. Having a bunch of friends coming over and getting drunk, playing pool or drinking games. I use to collect the bottle caps from all the beer, and I ended up covering my kitchen table with them, it was mostly Coors Light, but it still looked cool.

Live it up man, because after this, you're going to have all sorts of bills and responsibilties. Oh and buy a carpet cleaner vaccum. Trust me, after party nights, that thing will be your best friend. Women like a clean place.
 
So as of tomorrow I'll be moved into a dorm room and living on my own for the first time in my life.

An exciting prospect.
Tonight, I saw all my friends and said goodbye for the last time until I come back for Thanksgiving. Whiiiich was suitably depressing.

So, as I teeter on this hazy line between childhood and adulthood, I ask: What was your first experience living on your own? How was it? Any funny stories? Any cautionary bits of advice?

(I'm bored to death and feel a loneliness that I fear is only going to increase):csad:

18 when I first moved out as well and as soon as I sat down in my own dorm room by myself I said to myself, "I am utterly alone". While that may have been true about having no family around... I was completely wrong on the friend part... they just didn't know me yet. You will make friends so fast it will spin your head. You won't be able to keep up with everyone's names for the most part.

Of course you are alone when it comes to your bills, your money and having no family there... but you'll be swimming in friends really soon. Friends you will probably remember for the rest of your life.

Just be cautious though for as many friends you make... you'll meet an equal number of people who will pretend to be your friend just to get something out of you. I know everyone has experienced this but it just multiplies the older you get. In high school, you saw it. In college you saw it and felt it. And when you graduate and get a real job, the backstabbing will become part of the norm.

You'll have good times and bad times in college... but hopefully you won't let the bad times get you too down and that you actually might remember the good times.
 
18 when I first moved out as well and as soon as I sat down in my own dorm room by myself I said to myself, "I am utterly alone". While that may have been true about having no family around... I was completely wrong on the friend part... they just didn't know me yet. You will make friends so fast it will spin your head. You won't be able to keep up with everyone's names for the most part.

That's actually extremely helpful.
I've gone through a lot of depression problems in the past and my coping mechanism became "Call up a friend instead of sitting blankly and obsessing."

So I was really worried that I'd maybe end up sitting on my bed with a worried expression on my face, looking around nervously, with no chance of human contact to save me from these damnable thoughts.

I don't make friends easy: Is that a problem, or is it literally going to be so impossible not to that I'll do okay?
 
Living on your own is awesome you can walk around naked and *********e in you lounge... not that I do either of those things...
 
18 when I first moved out as well and as soon as I sat down in my own dorm room by myself I said to myself, "I am utterly alone". While that may have been true about having no family around... I was completely wrong on the friend part... they just didn't know me yet. You will make friends so fast it will spin your head. You won't be able to keep up with everyone's names for the most part.

Of course you are alone when it comes to your bills, your money and having no family there... but you'll be swimming in friends really soon. Friends you will probably remember for the rest of your life.

Just be cautious though for as many friends you make... you'll meet an equal number of people who will pretend to be your friend just to get something out of you. I know everyone has experienced this but it just multiplies the older you get. In high school, you saw it. In college you saw it and felt it. And when you graduate and get a real job, the backstabbing will become part of the norm.

You'll have good times and bad times in college... but hopefully you won't let the bad times get you too down and that you actually might remember the good times.

Nice one Nosebleed, that's an aspect I didn't realize I should've explored. I agree with the whole friend thing. Watch out, some of them will be wanting to be friends with you because you have a place to party at. Or they'll want to stay there. Or even want to "do their girlfriends there" ( I had a few friends use me like that. So they could mate with their gf's and not have to do it at their parents)

I think I felt alone the most in the evening on week nights. From that 5-11 period after work, nobody really came over because they all had work and I wasn't partying. You get bored easy, and usually want to talk to someone. The internets going to be your best friend.

And I hope you're not like me when it comes to cooking. When I first moved out I couldn't cook for the life of me. I mean, there were a few things I could make, but for the most part, I was a horrible cook. But over time, I grew in that field and can stand my own cooking now.

Another thing to throw into the pros category....

You can take a poop with the bathroom door WIDE open!!:woot:
 
All I can say is get a nightlight.

That pile of clothes on the floor on your first few days looks kind of creepr in the dark.
 
That's actually extremely helpful.
I've gone through a lot of depression problems in the past and my coping mechanism became "Call up a friend instead of sitting blankly and obsessing."

So I was really worried that I'd maybe end up sitting on my bed with a worried expression on my face, looking around nervously, with no chance of human contact to save me from these damnable thoughts.

I don't make friends easy: Is that a problem, or is it literally going to be so impossible not to that I'll do okay?

I really don't think that you having a hard time in the past with making friends will be too much of an obstacle... I used to be the same way. I used to have my group of friends and that was all I needed. But once I got to college, my mind opened up to A LOT more things... and I realized how small of a world I had lived in previously.

You HAVE to keep an open mind... that is one of the things that can greatly benefit you in college... not just academically but socially. Be very aware of your surroundings and feel everything out, especially potential friends. Acquaintanceship is a must, you need to read the person before you can trust them... but sometimes the friendship just clicks.

My only advice is that you should establish, and repeat verbally to your friends, that you are a straight up guy who isn't in a friendship to play games. I have made, and kept, many friends because I was straight up with them from the get go... and they knew and still know that they can expect it from me to this day.

Think of it like this... you are starting your life over socially. Take advantage of it and explore some sides of yourself that you were afraid to before.

All I can say is get a nightlight.

That pile of clothes on the floor on your first few days looks kind of creepr in the dark.

Haha... or it might be your drunk friend passed out in the corner...

:csad:
 
That's actually extremely helpful.
I've gone through a lot of depression problems in the past and my coping mechanism became "Call up a friend instead of sitting blankly and obsessing."

So I was really worried that I'd maybe end up sitting on my bed with a worried expression on my face, looking around nervously, with no chance of human contact to save me from these damnable thoughts.

I don't make friends easy: Is that a problem, or is it literally going to be so impossible not to that I'll do okay?

I think you'll be ok man. NoseBleeds on a roll be straight up with them, nobody wants to be used.

And as for the depression. You just have to keep thinking positive. Think of this moving out, as a way to hopefully help you deal with your depression better. It's goin to be a little tough, but you'll learn from it. I'm sure your family will be there when you need to talk to someone. Or see how your next dorm room mate is and if you guys will click or not. If so, you can always go to them to help with the loneliness.
 
If you're lonely... bring your laptop and ipod with you to starbucks near your campus. Hang out there for a while and you'll notice other people there by themselves. Strike up a conversation... you'll see how easy it is.
 
My experience with depression is that it's an inactive response to whatever is bothering you.

The best thing one can do in that situation is to do something about it, instead of sitting and continually mulling it over.
 
The best thing one can do in that situation is to do something about it, instead of sitting and continually mulling it over.

I actually agree with that.
It's a cycle of thinking. You really ought to just get out of your head and have some damn fun. So I try to do that, and it actually helps.

(I like that the thread title, purposefully ambiguous, applies to both the whole "living on your own" thing, but it also covers the depression discussion. So carry on with both thoughts.)
 
My last year of college, I finally got my own room.

The upside- you don't have to wonder what the hell your roommate is doing up in the wee hours of the night; if your dorm has a shower for each wing you won't be locked out of your room when you shower.

The downside- there won't be another person to blame when the room gets dirty; you won't have someone to crack jokes with when you're both trying to sleep but can't; if things get real lonesome you run the risk of squatting in a buddy's room.

It does give you a feel of how things will be after college, minus monthly rent and utilities payments. More than likely, you'll develop an appreciation for Ramen noodles, and a knack for finding good deals on various things (such as buying bulk, or getting an appetizer as your meal when dining out) so in the end there'll be enough for laundry.

Regarding laundry, save the separating loads for the holidays at home. Whites and non-whites are all you need.
 
Regarding laundry, save the separating loads for the holidays at home. Whites and non-whites are all you need.

And silks.

Your private silky smooth undergarments should be washed and dried separately, or it will itchy cotton balls from your public manly underwear.
 
You wont be alone for long, im sure some foxy lady will be latching onto you taking your money and wanting you to wait on her hand and foot for the next few years....
 
You wont be alone for long, im sure some foxy lady will be latching onto you taking your money and wanting you to wait on her hand and foot for the next few years....

Nobody latches onto 14 year old boys, not even boy-geniuses like JLBats.:woot:
 
living on your own is great. I love the privacy. My first two years of college wasn't really "living on your own" though since I had a room mate. That sucked. But starting my junior year, I started to really live on my own and it's been awesome. It actually feels weird coming back home to a house filled with people.
 
I can't think of some funny smart-ass reply to this thread. Damn you! Damn you and your seriousness!
 
Well, let's just say living with myself at this current point in time is getting really hard.
 
So as of tomorrow I'll be moved into a dorm room and living on my own for the first time in my life.

An exciting prospect.
Tonight, I saw all my friends and said goodbye for the last time until I come back for Thanksgiving. Whiiiich was suitably depressing.

So, as I teeter on this hazy line between childhood and adulthood, I ask: What was your first experience living on your own? How was it? Any funny stories? Any cautionary bits of advice?

(I'm bored to death and feel a loneliness that I fear is only going to increase):csad:

Are you in a single room or will you have a roomate?

If single: Make sure you put yourself out there. It's really easy to isolate yourself when you have a single room because you have just a little too much time on your own so you get into your own head. In my first year I had a single room in an apartment style dorm (with god awful roomates) and I got really lonely. So I ended up adopting my friends res's so that I could still get that traaditional res experience :)

If you do have a roomate, well they can be awesome or terrible. But remember you don't necessarily need to be BFF. You just need to be able to live with them.

Have an awesome time at uni/college!!!
 
So as of tomorrow I'll be moved into a dorm room and living on my own for the first time in my life.

An exciting prospect.
Tonight, I saw all my friends and said goodbye for the last time until I come back for Thanksgiving. Whiiiich was suitably depressing.

So, as I teeter on this hazy line between childhood and adulthood, I ask: What was your first experience living on your own? How was it? Any funny stories? Any cautionary bits of advice?

(I'm bored to death and feel a loneliness that I fear is only going to increase):csad:

I liked living on my own as long as I was entertained. In two weeks I'd made 2 great friends in my dorm. We decided to cook for each other one night a week and go out on a friday together- instant bonding.The lowest point was the weekend all 5 of my roomies went home for the weekend leaving me behind. I was so bored I thought I was on th brink on insanity.
I can't think of some funny smart-ass reply to this thread. Damn you! Damn you and your seriousness!

There is a smart ass reply to everything, you just have to be smart enough to know it
 
I use to collect the bottle caps from all the beer, and I ended up covering my kitchen table with them, it was mostly Coors Light, but it still looked cool.

Tip for JLBats -- don't do that.

While there are always those guys in college that save all their beer cans/bottles/caps and build towers or whatnot in their dorms, it's kind of an alcoholic fratboy stereotype.
 
Are you in a single room or will you have a roomate?

If single: Make sure you put yourself out there. It's really easy to isolate yourself when you have a single room because you have just a little too much time on your own so you get into your own head. In my first year I had a single room in an apartment style dorm (with god awful roomates) and I got really lonely. So I ended up adopting my friends res's so that I could still get that traaditional res experience :)

If you do have a roomate, well they can be awesome or terrible. But remember you don't necessarily need to be BFF. You just need to be able to live with them.

Have an awesome time at uni/college!!!

Single room... sharing a bathroom:down:

Yeah. I suspect the isolation thing will become an issue sooner than later.
 
Be very careful how you manage your money. It's ridiculous how much you can spend on food in one day without even thinking about it if you have alot of things to do and can't get home to eat.

I've lived by myself for 3 years. I'm still struggling to force myself to wash my dishes and buy mostly useless 'house' things, and I still often eat at restaurants a few too many times and end up short on money at the end of the month.

That said, welcome to college and Toronto!

I'm serious when I say that if I'm here next month, I will show you around, in person.

:)
 

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