Finding Your Perfect Roommate

With the launch of LSU’s very first roommate matching program (to begin, you'll need log on with your PAWs ID,) I decided to add in a few tips of my own on how to find your perfect roommate match.  Everyone might initially think of important compatibility traits like messy vs. clean, or night owl vs. morning bird, but here’s a more in depth list of what I've found from living with roommates for four years.

Thermostat Control Compatibility: In my four years at college, I have heard more roommate drama about temperatures than anything else. See if your roommate prefers the space to be warmer or cooler. If you're vastly different, look for a solution that can be reached (like a fan, or extra blankets.) If not, run as far as you can or you may find yourself in a heated (cooled?) thermostat war.

Decide what you want in a roommate: Think about your expectations for your roommate. Do you want a best friend, with movie nights? Or simply want someone who will respect your space? It's good to evaluate what you're looking for, and to seek someone with similar expectations. 

Budget and Expectation Similarity: So you've found your new roomie, and everything is great. You already have your room coordinated and curtains picked out….Until BANG, it turns out your perfect roomie wasn't expecting what you were. Agree on room size(2 person? 3 person?), community (Some res colleges have specific major/requirements for both roommates), and expected budget beforehand.

 Friend vs. Potluck: As a tour guide, I get asked this question a lot. The answer? It depends. I've heard of best friends becoming enemies, and potlucks becoming best friends. Potluck is a great way to open your social circle and embrace a new experience. But, both sides have many pros and cons. Discuss the rest of this list with your bff, before making the big commitment.

Munchies and Snacks:  Discuss cooking/meal habits. If all of your roommates plan on the frozen meal diet, you might want to divvy out a set amount of space or bring your own mini fridge. Have a lot of food? Bring in extra storage-- like a plastic set of drawers or shelves to accommodate the snacks.

 Social Lounge or Oasis: Some residents like having their room as social hot spot for all of their friends and even group meetings. Others prefer their room to be a place to get away and relax. Look for a roommate who has similar social habits as you.

To Share or Not to Share:.Will it be "what's mine is yours,"  an "ask first," basis or a "don't even think about it" attitude.There's no right or wrong, but opinions on sharing vastly differ .Talk it over, and no matter what you decide, be fair and treat all possessions with respect.

Be realistic about expectations: My best advice for roommate success?  Be reasonable and realistic, and realize your roommate is human, just like you. Enjoy them for who they are, and keep open communication to avoid major conflicts.

Need help beginning your search? Check out the new roommate matching program. It works similar to face book, providing you the opportunity to view/message the profiles of your matches.

To use it, go to www.lsu.edu/housing and click on the "roommate matching." It'll prompt you to log on to your PAWs account, and from their you can create your profile and find your match!

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

9 Mistakes (Almost) Every Resident Makes

College is a time of learning-- both inside the classroom and out.  I've done a lot of learning since I've been here-- often times learning the hard way. Here's a list of simple mistakes to avoid that can save your time, money, and quite possibly your sanity.

1. Facebooking instead of socializing in the lobby: There are tons of great programs and people  in the lobby. It's easy to get in a rut of staying in your room—but get out there and meet some people IRL, (In Real Life) and enjoy all the food and events.(But if you are on Facebook, be sure to check out LSU Res Life for pics and updates.)

Evangeline residents enjoy musical chairs at the "Mardi Gras Mambo" program.

2. Eating like it's Thanksgiving everyday in the dining hall: The all-you-can-eat buffet style food is tempting, but instead of piling on every appealing food item, try to just pick one entrée and load up on fruits, veggies and a salad...okay, and a cookie for dessert.

A student enjoys the salad bar, one of many healthy options at The 5 dining hall.

3. Being afraid of your Resident Assistant: RAs get a bad rep in all of the movies and tv shows, but they are there to help you. Think of them as a big brother or sister—they are upperclassmen students who are trained to be there for you.

The 2010-2011 RAs pose for a picture after completing summer training.

4. Going to the UREC (University Recreation Complex) at 5:00PM in January:  I'm all for working out and being healthy, but nothing is as frustrating as mustering the will-power to go work out and the place being jam-packed. The Rec Center is open from 5:00AM until 11:00PM, so try going in the morning, early afternoon, or later in the evening to beat the crowds. Or, check out the free Group X workout classes available online, and work out from the comfort of your room.

5. Wearing Rainboots when it's clear and forgetting your umbrella in a monsoon: There's nothing worse than being stranded in Louisiana's ever changing weather with the wrong tools. It only takes a minute to check the weather. The halls have Internet and 75 channels of cable included, so take a second and prepare for the day. Or add an app to your phone, so you can stay in the know all day.

I should've checked the forecast on this sunny day.

7. Walking back to your hall at night alone: We've been lectured about this our whole life, but sometimes its inevitable. The quick fix? Take Campus Transit, a nightly LSU shuttle system that will pick you up from anywhere on campus and drop you off where you need to go. Keep the phone number programmed into the phone-- 225-578-5000.

Students stand by a campus transit shuttle-- a nightly "door to door" campus shuttle system.

6. Forgetting to Save and Have a Backup: I learned this lesson the hard way on this very blog, so I've added it to the list. You put tons of time and energy into projects and papers, so take the extra minute to save a backup of your work. Computers have the tendency to fail at the worst possible moment, and most professors won't take that as an excuse.

Save your work! Email large projects to yourself or a friend to have an online backup.

8. Not reading The Girl in the Purple Polo Blog: Cuz' where else would you get all of these wonderful tips and stories? (Okay, maybe I am a little bias.)

The author of your favorite blog! ;-)

9. Attempting to fix your own technology: No need to struggle with technology. Use LSU Reslife's IT department for all issues you may have with your Internet, laptop, or connections.

The students and staff in the IT department are there to help you!

I  hope you can use these tips to make your life a little easier. Have advice of your own? Leave a comment below or email me at girlinthepurplepolo@gmail.com

xoxo--Girl in the Purple Polo

Inside Scoop: LSU SophomoreGOLD and Housing Applications

Even though it's only February, it's already time to start thinking about housing for next year. Housing reapplications will be taking place soon, a time when current residents can renew their contracts and select their spaces for next year. And this fall also brings the introduction of a new community that will have even us seniors wishing we could go back to sophomore year.

 SophomoreGOLD is a new living, learning, program in East Campus Apartments with events specifically geared toward sophomores. It places an emphasis on career planning, leadership, and community outreach...Oh, and did I mention that if accepted to the program, you will be GUARANTEED a spot in East Campus Apartments? For a virtual tour of the awesome on-campus apartments, click here.

I was able to get the inside scoop from Rhea Perkins, the Herget Residential Life Coordinator who is assisting with the implementation of the program. If you are a current freshman, or a curious onlooker....read on!

 

Tell me a little about the SophomoreGOLD experience? 

 The SophomoreGOLD Living-Learning Community (LLC)  is a new initiative with Residential Life and First Year Experience. We are teaming up to create the Sophomore Year Experience. The SophomoreGOLD LLC is the living component to this new experience.

ECA (The future location for SophomoreGOLD) on a spring day.

 What was the motivation behind starting a program like this? 

 Sophomore programming supports Residential Life as well as First Year Experience’s strategic plans.  This collaboration also supports the institution’s retention initiatives. In addition, research shows that sophomores are a unique student population that requires additional support and guidance.  

 Who would be an ideal candidate for SophomoreGOLD?

 The ideal candidate for the program would be any sophomore student who is committed to the LSU motto, “Love Purple Live Gold.”

 What do you hope sophomores will get out of the program? 

 We hope that sophomores will benefit from the academic success, career exploration, leadership development, and civic engagement initiatives.  It is our goal that the sophomores receive the support they need and utilize the resources provided while having fun and building lasting relationships in the process!

 Do you have any special events or programs planned?

 First Year Experience has an array of programming for the Sophomore Year Experience.  Some of the special events include various field trips to explore Louisiana, shadowing LSU alumni in their career of choice, round table discussions, and many other activities to help sophomores navigate their second year at LSU.  

 Where do you see this program going in future years?

This program could become a “one-stop shop” for all sophomore concerns, addressing all sophomore needs.

 How will applicants be selected?

Applicants will be selected based on their responses to the application questions.

 Are there any plans for a junior or senior program if this one is successful?

Not as of yet, however LSU is always thinking of new ways to better meet the needs of their students. A similar junior or senior program may be in the works.

 How can current freshman apply?

Freshmen can apply by simply clicking on the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7ZQ9PCM

 Interested? Then simply fill out the questions on the above link. Hurry though, applications are due next Friday, February  11. You will be notified of your status before housing renewal, so you won't have to wait around wondering. Questions? Email Rhea at rperkins@lsu.edu.

Returning students are not the only ones who need to be thinking about housing. For incoming freshmen and transfers, I encourage you to apply for housing ASAP! Housing is not guaranteed for freshmen, and assignments are given on a first come first serve basis. Currently, assignments are approximately 80% full for Fall '11, and are expected to fill up entirely within the next month or two. 

After expected capacity is reached, students who apply will be placed on a standby list and no longer guaranteed a spot. So, if you've been accepted to the University, and are looking at staying on campus (which is a totally awesome experience)—get those applications in. You can apply on your PAWs account, under student services. It's $150.00 dollar deposit, but if you cancel by June 1, you get all but $50 of that back.

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or story ideas, feel free to email me at girlinthepurplepolo@gmail.com.

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

Hollywood, NYC, and LSU?

The cool weather and cloudy days means most of us are spending more time indoors, and for me, that means I get to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes-- watching movies. 

While The Sundance Festival is going on right now in Park City, Utah, most of us won't be traveling 1500 miles to attend. But, that doesn't mean we can't take advantage of the nice, cool weather and enjoy  BR's own cultural experience.  Here are some of BR's own opportunities to join in on the movie fun....

Ditch the silver screen for live action: LSU theater has some great shows lined up. And, if you live in a residence hall like Herget Hall, theatre night is your free ticket to a catered meal and a trip over to an LSU play.

2009-2010 Herget Residents enjoying a catered meal before seeing Antigone, for Theater Night.

Create your own film festival with a movie night in the halls. Gather some old classics, trilogies, or indie films and invite your floormates to join you. Need some help attracting others? Lure them in with the sweet scent of popcorn.

Girl in the Purple Polo enjoying the flatscreen tv in Herget's lobby.

Forget Netflix and Blockbuster, Use what you have- LSU Res Halls have 75 channels of cable in every room. TIGER TV plays new release movies everyday—so curl up on your cozy bed, make some hot chocolate, and enjoy.

Be your own Director—Have a little spare time and a few friends? Join the Youtube nation and create your own clips and videos. Most computers have free video editing software, and you can rent video cameras from the library. Did you know LSU Res Life has its own YouTube channel? Check out some of the videos there to get ideas.

Filming LSU Res Life CRIBS: Blake Hall!

Rub elbows with the stars—You need not make the trek to Park City to rub elbows with celebs. In case you haven't heard, Baton Rouge has become a hub for many major motion pictures like Twilight and Battleship. Many  production companies are required to use locals for extras and small roles, so check out the Baton Rouge Film Commission for opportunities.

Expand from Hollywood to a Bollywood Festival -- Look no further than LSU's own Coates Hall  for a film festival right on campus. The University will be hosting a 10 part Bollywood Film Festival every Monday night from Jan. 31 through April at 6 p.m. in Coates 151-- just a short walk from all of our halls on campus.

Hit the Road, Mike—Still in the mood for a festival and willing to travel a bit? Then gather your roommates, hit the pavement, and check out Louisiana's own festivals coming up: Cinema on The Bayou in Lafayette, LA from January 26-30^th, Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula LA, from April 8-10, Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette, LA from April 27th to May 1st, and don't forget Jazz Fest in New Orleans from April 29th to May 11th.

There are tons of great day trips from LSU-- Lafayette and New Orleans are about an hour away!

Enough talk about movies, I'm going to find some popcorn and have a movie day. Until next week....


xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

 

Welcome Back

Welcome Back! I hope everyone had a fantastic break! Despite the end of a relaxing break, I've gotta admit that I'm excited to be back.

Spring semester is always my favorite time at LSU. I love the nice weather, delicious crawfish, and stress-free weekends (I love football, but  LSU Football = High Stress Saturdays). And of course, this semester has special meaning to me, because it is my last one before graduation in May.

This spring, LSU and Res Life have many exciting events and traditions up their sleeve. If you find yourself bored, why not hit up some sports or fine arts? Whether it's baseball, orchestra, gymnastics, theatre or museums--there are tons of great events to support. Missing football? Don't miss the Spring Game for a preview of next season. This semester also promises more Late Night LSU fun, a once a month program sponsored by Students Activities Board. And, don't forget Groovin' on the Grounds, an annual outdoor concert on the Parade Ground.

Res Life will also be joining in on exciting traditions! Between the wide array of individual res hall activities, RHA Snowin in the South, UNPLUG Energy Competition, Housing Reapplication, the RHA Crawfish Boil, and Res Life Cribs, there will be plenty of events to enjoy this semester.

My blog will continue to include tips, spotlights, and an inside perspective on the on-campus experience. Have an idea for an event or topic you'd like covered? Feel free to email me at girlinthepurplepolo@gmail.com

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

Fall 2010 Semester in Review

With another semester wrapping up, stress levels are high, and students are anxious to get home. Finals week is coming to an end, and all over campus I can feel the mix of tension and excitement.

I know you guys are busy with finals and packing, but here are some quick tips for leaving the halls.

1. Unplug your mini-fridge at least a day BEFORE you leave (And throw away the food, please!). Make sure to put towels around the base, because they tend to leak. (You are required to unplug the fridge before break.)

2. Don't forget to sell your books back. The stands are all over campus, and often you'll find a book or two that hits the jackpot. It's a great way to earn back a little spending money for Christmas and the holidays. Or, you can trade books with friends to save some money next semester.

3. Enjoy one last visit to the dining hall and invite your friends and family to help you use your extra meals. You'll soon be going home to mom's delicious home-cooking, but I usually find myself missing the unlimited ice cream and pizza.

4. Start compiling a list of everything you need a day or two before you leave (feel free to check it twice for good measure). Once you turn in your key, you won't be allowed back into your room until next semester-- so make sure you pack everything you'll need over the next month. Most forgotten item? Cell phone charger-- put that at the top of your list.

5. Follow your RA's closing instructions. From unplugging your electronics to turning in your key--  make sure you follow your RA's closing information. Not only does it help you leave as quickly as possible when you finish that last final, but also prevents charges and fines that might be incurred.

6. Relax. I've said it all year, but it's true. You will survive finals week. Once you've taken that last final congratulate yourself.  Let yourself enjoy a nice, relaxing, stress-free break-- you've earned it.

Here's a look back at my favorite moments of the semester!

Roaring into the Halls-- Move-in Day!

LSU Football went 10-2 with some amazing games this season!

LSU Res Life Cribs launched this semester-- more episodes are coming in the spring!

Boo in the Shoe celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Homecoming week included a mini Tiger Stadium made completely out of donated cans.

Splatterbeat had a great turn out this year!

C4 band plays in the Pentagon.

A breakfast buffet in Evangeline Hall for finals week.

I too am going home for the break so this will be my last blog I post for the year. I've really enjoyed posting for you, and I'll be back at the start of next semester with new tips, pictures, and Spotlights.

Until next semester,

xoxo-- Girl in the Purple Polo

 

Deck the (Res) Halls: Winter on Campus

It's that time of year where classes start winding down, stress levels go up, and the winter spirit is fully embraced on campus.

Snowin' in the South: This RHA sponsored event comes once a year. SEVEN TONS of snow are dumped on the Parade Ground. Students enjoy a snowy winter experience with snowmen, snowball fights, and snow angels. Why not end the night with some nice warm hot chocolate? This year the event has been postponed due to rain, so check here for new dates early next semester.

Candlelight Celebration: This celebration is usually held under the clock tower and celebrates various holiday traditions with dancing, songs, and a few surprise guests. The night ends with candlelight carols and the lighting of the LSU holiday Tree. It has come to be one of my favorite holiday traditions on campus.

Decorate Your Door: Let out your creative side and add some holiday spirit to your floor. Every year, residents help "deck the halls" by decorating their doors and rooms. Some halls even have contests for the best doors. Get out some wrapping paper and scissors and have at it. (Be sure to use approved tape and putty to avoid damages!)

Give Back: This is the time of year to reflect on what you have, and give to others who may not have as much. Donate canned food to the shelters. Fill a shoebox of goods for children overseas. Write letters to the elderly. Bake cookies for your stressed friends. Be creative-- it doesn't have to be much to make others happy. 

Walk Around the Campus Lakes: Take a break from studying and bundle up to take a stroll around the lakes. The Greek houses surrounding the lakes usually go all out with Christmas decorations and it's a good time to ponder all of those Christmas plans and take a break from the stress.

Chancellor's Pancake Breakfast: During the last week of classes each semester, the Chancellor puts on the late night Pancake Breakfast. This event is free to all students, and students can enjoy delicious pancakes served by administrators and have fun coloring with crayons on the paper tablecloths. It's a great break from studying and a long held tradition.

Good luck studying for finals!

xoxo- Girl in the Purple Polo