A Letter from the Editor

Greetings, bienvenidos.

Dorms. They are synonymous with the college experience. I find it hard to name a single media representation of college kids where a character didn’t live in an on-campus dorm. However, the opposite is true in my personal life.

I have studied at the University of Houston for both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and I’ve made many, many friends throughout this time. Many lived with friends or a significant other off campus. A few spent freshman and sophomore year in a car or couchsurfing. And dozens of us lived in multi-generational homes. Grandparents, nieces, parents and siblings were all part of daily life. They came with the advantages that can only come with unity in a large group.

On the other hand, I can name 14 friends that lived on-campus. 14 out of over a hundred.

This is a bit of an anomaly when looking at other universities, even when only looking at those in Texas. We are a diverse campus in every sense of the way, including how students choose to house themselves.

In this month’s issue, we explore the UH housing experience while in college from a multitude of different points, all of them honest and true to our community. Within these pages, you will find articles celebrating that in common, you’re going to love a few of our articles on thrifty home goods and maximalist room decor.

Wherever it is that you call home, I’m sure you’ll find something for you within these pages. Take pride in the place you hang your hat. Enjoy!

Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez Executive Editor v

our status as a commuter school. You will also find a comparison between Moody Towers and The Quads. Additionally, you will find options for alternative living situations ranging from van life to pet sitting in exchange for housing.

Some will be more on the serious side, and a few will be a little more light-hearted. As a selfproclaimed ‘material girl,’ I have no shame in saying shopping brings me great joy. If we have

By Dylan Stracener @dstracee

You never want to be known as the bad roommate. At some point, you may have dealt with an infamous bad roommate. While you may not be able to control others, you can control yourself. Here are some tips on how to be a good roommate!

Communicate

Firstly (and arguably most importantly), practice good communication. This can range from something as small as deciding where to place a plant in common areas to something big like how late you want guests to be in the home. If you discuss those smaller conflicts with your roommates, it will feel natural to discuss more serious things, as you have developed a better understanding on how to resolve issue. An important part to this is resolving conflicts proactively. When you first move in, have a meeting to decide on what temperature the air-conditioner will be set to. Throughout this process, it is important to be considerate of what your roommates’ desires are too.

Respect

Which brings me to the next tip, be respectful. If you know your roommate has a career-defining exam in the morning, maybe you should bring your friends to a bar instead of partying at home. It can be easy to forget about other people’s livelihoods, especially during the stressful time that is college. However, when you are under a pressure cooker for class and need to study hard, you’d also like to do so without the distraction of people chattering and loud music. At the end of the day, everyone is just trying to pass their classes and graduate. Just remember that whenever your roommate asks for a quiet night or two.

Cleanliness

Now that you’ve learned to communicate and be respectful, let’s focus on cleanliness. A general rule of thumb: if you make a mess, clean it up. This gets a little tricky when talking about general chores such as taking out the trash or sweeping the living room. Luckily, with the communication skills you’ve practiced, you and your roommates can discuss a system that works for everyone. No one likes living in an apartment that has some mysterious odor seemingly clinging to the walls, so just be sure to clean up often enough.

Oh and last but not least, DO YOUR DARN DISHES!