And I thought going away to uni. would help.

Psycho Smiley · Post by **Psycho Smiley** » 2003-09-16 12:36pm

I was looking forward to going off to university so much. Not only would I actually get to learn something (damned Ontario catholic schools) but I could be myself! (See above comment.)

I wouldn't have to worry about my parents, who are turning into conservative fundies as they age, (who are of the opinion that to live in their house, I must not have my own opinions) and my sister, who is being indoctrinated by those damned schools. So I could even post here without looking over my shoulder constantly! (This, by the way, is the reason for my absurd registration date and post count combo.)

So I get to the University of New Brunswick. And I discover the following:

-We share a campus with a religious university of some sort. Okay, no biggie, I don't have to go over there, and they don't seem too obnoxious.

-There are a zillion christian organizations, but no science or freethinker ones. Dang. Well, I can always try to round up some like-minded people, and perhaps try to start one.

-I'm still learning nothing of consequence during lecture periods. Well, I like studying on my own, and perhaps they won't be a waste of time in my upper years.

And then there's my roommate. Let's do a comparison, shall we?

Me - studying Electrical Engineering
Him - studying Arts (insert stereotypes here!)

Me - open-minded atheist
Him - raving fundie moron (he even has no less than three printed and one electronic study bibles) and health-nazi to boot (believe it or not, he even has a cookbook called "What Would Jesus Eat"

)

Me - Canadian and quietly proud of it
Him - American and quite obnoxious about it (and his love of Bush!)

Dammit! This was supposed to be fun, not high school's problems on steroids!

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions that won't get me kicked out and/or jailed are welcome.

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2003-09-16 12:44pm

Learn to deal with it, because your gonna meet a whole lot more people like that as you go through life. Eventually you will find someone who you can stand and will either room with them on campus, or will live off campus next year. If you and your current roommate really can't get along, then petition for a room change.

Psycho Smiley · Post by **Psycho Smiley** » 2003-09-16 12:49pm

Would that changing rooms were an option, but the residences are already 300 people over capacity. To quote my House Don, "If you can't get along with your roommate and really want a room change, transfer out." I had already planned on "just dealing with it" though.

Perhaps I should be more specific: "advice, opinions, or suggestions" on not going crazy.

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2003-09-16 12:52pm

Psycho Smiley wrote:Would that changing rooms were an option, but the residences are already 300 people over capacity. To quote my House Don, "If you can't get along with your roommate and really want a room change, transfer out." I had already planned on "just dealing with it" though.

Perhaps I should be more specific: "advice, opinions, or suggestions" on not going crazy.

Find some clubs on campus that interest you. Spending time out of your room will help a lot. Also, try to agree on general dorm stuff like what time you need to go to bed, quiet hours and whatnot. This way you aren't already at each others throats to begin with. Finally, if you have a friend you can complain about things to, it helps. You're going to be under a lot of stress to begin with, but if you can vent it somewhere safe, then you're less likely to blow up over some stupid arguement.

That's all I can think of right now.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2003-09-16 12:58pm

just a quick question, if you wanted to go a university filled with open minded free thinkers, why did you go to a uni in New Brunswick? That's like Canada's Alabama. The folks wouldn't approve of schools in Toronto or Montreal or New York or Boston?

BoredShirtless · Post by **BoredShirtless** » 2003-09-16 01:08pm

Start the science organisation you were thinking about. It will be good for your resume.
You'll need to sit lectures, at least to get things like exam tips and unpublished course work. Also, it's great to have a lecturers working out and the notes you made at the time to refer too.
Your roommate. If you seriously can't get along, then it's important that you don't take any shit from him. He'll either respect, or ignore you.

Dammit! This was supposed to be fun, not high school's problems on steroids!

As Morpheus put it: Welcome to the real world

Psycho Smiley · Post by **Psycho Smiley** » 2003-09-16 05:32pm

Thanks guys. That's about what I thought, but it's good to get some input from others.

Post by **Colonel Olrik** » 2003-09-16 05:42pm

Psycho Smiley wrote:Thanks guys. That's about what I thought, but it's good to get some input from others.

Of course, you can apply to a better college. I'm kind of lost why you picked that one.

Psycho Smiley · Post by **Psycho Smiley** » 2003-09-16 05:50pm

Colonels Crackpot and Olrik:

Well, it was the only english-speaking Canadian one that:
a) had my program,
b) I could afford to attend, and
c) I could arrange transport to and from

victorhadin · Post by **victorhadin** » 2003-09-17 09:14am

Just don't bring up religion in conversation. That shouldn't be too hard.

Xenophobe3691 · Post by **Xenophobe3691** » 2003-09-17 10:29am

victorhadin wrote:Just don't bring up religion in conversation. That shouldn't be too hard.

You'd be friggin surprised.

victorhadin · Post by **victorhadin** » 2003-09-17 09:02pm

*Shrugs.*

If he brings it up first, reply in kind. If not, let a truce remain. There are always other people to talk to about religion.