The Reality of Room Mates

When I started uni I was given so so much advice about Fresher's week and about what to expect in my first year. Everyone had something to tell me and I had plenty of student aimed 'I-work-for-the-government-but-I'm-totally-down-with-the-kids' style leaflets with advice like 'name your house plant Boris' (seriously). Granted those first few weeks were daunting in many ways, and I valued the advice I was given, although I never actually bought a house plant. I bought a lot of other rubbish, remote control flying eagles and a hamster for instance, but no Boris.
One  thing that I wasn't given guidelines was how, who with and where to live next. All at the same time it can seem like a HUGE decision or a tiny thing you don't pay much mind to. To me I didn't think it was such a  big deal. I loved all my new friends so I wasn't fussed, although I wanted to take my new best friend with me that wasn't a question. In hind-sight I should probably of thought a little harder about it. But there we go there isn't much point regretting these things now. I actually really enjoyed 2nd year and living a beautiful big flat in Lauriston with 4 girls, for the most part. That other part was heart braking and pretty soul destroying at times. Girls can be cruel.
I think some of the problem is we watch TV shows like Friends and think that when we get our own flat it'll be like the opening scene montage, purple walls, everyone laughing and hugging and jumping around having hilarous moments. Yes some bits will be like that! We had many days/nights of ridiculousness and lots of laughs. On the other hand, it doesn't matter how many tea lights you buy, how many cushions from poundland, or posters you put up, more than likely your flat won't be beautiful and problem free, and neither will your flatmates. The bit you won't think about when you're getting ready to move in is eugh that one hasn't done their washing up again, oh but I cant be bothered doing mine, what the hell I just cleaned the kitchen and her friends messed it up, I want to sleep but someone just came in hammered and woke me up, so and so said this about me, so and so did this, and I swear to God if I see ONE MORE BITCHY POST IT NOTE on the fridge...and so on. That's the daily grind of it all. If your lucky you won't have that all the time, but it will happen. Even the happiest bunch of flatmates I know (a 6 bed of 4 boys and 2 girls) have their moments.
Even thinking back over the worst times I've had living with room-mates I don't think I'd change anything. The biggest thing I've learnt whilst living with friends at uni has been to simply chill out. Not everything has to be the biggest deal in the world, and the little annoyances are just that, little.  I wish I hadn't let those things bog me down as much as I did way back when, I imagine the fall out would of happened regardless but I might of felt differently about it. I live with two boys now so the little things are very different to what they used to be when I was with girls, and aside from our inability to afford heating and the occasional appearance of Mighty Mouse I'm very happy. Having said that, I did miss having girls around until Mia was back!