BY SETH SIAS

In print | Published April 17, 2003

Flowers in bloom, blossoming romance and first-years crying about the housing lottery — these are the traditions of April. The experienced upperclass people laugh as they hear frosh ask each other “Is 1,132 a good number?” and discuss whether they should try to live in Worth, Wharton or Mertz as sophomores.

Some may think it is hypocritical or just plain mean for a rising senior to write about the humor of housing. I will be living in a nice single in Worth next year. The first-years reading this article won’t be so lucky. However, my tale of woe is a long and sad one, and the fact that I survived should bring hope to even the most terrified of first-years.

As a first-year, I applied for three blocks, received none and ended up in ML basement. It was so miserable that the college completely renovated the hall as soon as I moved out. At the end of that year, I applied for three blocks, received none and went to study abroad, worried about the possibility of living in the Haven upon my return. I was continually unhappy with or worried about my housing for 18 months in a row.

Despite the fact that some of you won’t be overjoyed with your housing, you should look for the humor in it. If I can do it, then you can, too. The housing lottery brings a lot of stress into many lives on campus, but worried first-years should try to recognize the comedy inherent in this event. And the frosh aren’t the only ones providing the laughs.

The seniors are a surprisingly amusing group when it comes to housing. When the rest of us receive our numbers and talk about blocking or the lottery, they adopt an attitude of superiority. “Oh, housing. That is so plebeian,” many of those about to graduate say. The best response is, “Oh, and where will you be living? Your parents’ basement?” Most seniors will stop talking at that point. Some have been known to whimper weakly and begin to cry. The lucky few going straight to grad school or good jobs are impossible to cut down to size, so never talk about housing around them.

The rising seniors are not too humorous. They all end up in hot singles in virtually whichever dorm they want. This is the spot of privilege. All members of ’04 should remember to laugh at everyone else this year.

Rising juniors are often intensely nervous. Many of them lost big in their only previous lottery experience and fear ending up in the ML basement singles. The worried expressions on their faces as they contemplate a move to a tiny off-campus single with no natural light is enough to evoke a belly laugh from even their most empathetic friends.

Finally, there are the first-years. They are so innocent, so foolish and so destined to end up in a terrible room. When they return home from the lottery and tell you, while choking back tears, “It’s in … oh, God” [student runs off wailing], you have to laugh. Thinking about the concept of a four-digit lottery number certainly brings a chuckle to the minds of most upperclass people.

The reason that all these students’ fears and emotions are funny is that housing is really not the big deal most first-years make it out to be. If you and your bestest friend don’t live next to each other, you can still visit. If you live somewhere terrible, you will survive. One year is short, and you will be back on campus in a cushy single before you know it. Remember that you will survive your new room, and remember to laugh loudly at the absurdity of all the people grieving at the lottery.

« RETURN TO NEWS

« PREV ARTICLE | NEXT ARTICLE »