Students move out and learn independence
Many USU students are no longer living at home. This creates challenges for some Aggies, from doing laundry, honing culinary skills or dealing with a less-than-hygienic roommate. Despite the challenges, many find the experience of moving out a positive one.
“I love it,” said undeclared freshman Josie Iroz. “It really is like the best thing so far that’s happened to me.”
“You have a sense of independence,” said undeclared sophomore Sam Rosemann. “You feel like you are your own person. You feel like, ‘Yeah, I don’t want to grow up,’ but really you do.”
Some students are satisfied with living on their own without having to worry about parental intervention.
“I feel less pressure,” said Kyle Shultz, a sophomore majoring in international business. “When you’re at your parents they’re always on your case about something. Here I can do whatever I want.”
Tanner Simmons, a senior majoring in public relations, has been living outside his parents’ home for that last seven years.
“It has been a good experience discovering my own identity away from home,” Simmons said. “It has been positive to figure out what I like and dislike, what makes me happy. At home you’re kind of exposed to certain things by default, whereas you get to choose more what you’re exposed to when you move out.”
While some students are happy with their out-of-home circumstances for reasons such as independence, an improved social life and opportunities to discover their identities, other students feel like living out of the home can have some less-desirable effects, including bad roommates.
“Some of my roommates need to learn that their mother is not here to pick up after them,” said Shultz. “It’s not like I’m a neat freak, but I like to keep things tidy. Other people with different backgrounds just don’t care. Having to cook for yourself is also challenging. It’s just so nice to have a hot meal prepared for you. My biggest challenge though is probably prioritizing. I just want to like party all the time.”
“I have a roommate that pack-rats dirty dishes in her bedroom,” said Rosemann. “It’s not just her dishes–it’s ours too. It’s like, who does that?”
“We had a roommate who would like go hangout by himself downstairs in our laundry room for like six hours at a time,” said Simmons. “It was weird and kind of sketchy.”
“Because some of our roommates already knew each other before we moved in, there is kind of a division in our apartment, mostly in conversation,” said Michael Gargon, a sophomore studying business. “We get along just fine, but because of our different backgrounds and personalities we don’t always get each other’s humor. Sometimes you are out of the loop.”
Some students have had positive relationships with roommates.
“I shared a room with my little brother for like fifteen years,” said Michael Gargon, a sophomore majoring in business. “So many aspects of having a roommate weren’t difficult to get used to. Some things are even better.”
“It’s nice because all your boys are just there,” Shultz said. “It’s like guy talk all the time. It’s cool, I like it.”
“I haven’t had a bad roommate yet though,” said Rosemann. “I’m a pretty easy-going person, so I haven’t really had any issues.”
“Sometimes you miss the sense of family, and your roommates can kind of fill that in with a feeling of camaraderie,” said Simmons. “Also, having the same roommate consecutive years is a relief. You’re like, ‘Okay, this guy’s clean.’ You’re already used to each other.”
“It’s time to grow up and take those responsibilities,” said Rosemann.
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