August 15, 2007
Let’s focus on young
ladies going to
college. This is no
joke. There are several
things you need to know
before you step on that
college campus.
Please don’t forget your
hometraining and spiritual
upbringing.
I know it is tempting.
You’re out on your own,
you’re grown.
Well guess what? Age is
more than a number. Just
because you are 18 or even
19, believe me when I tell
you, you are not grown and
you about to venture into
foreign territory.
If you are traveling away
fromhome, you are fortunate
if your parents have made
sure that you are staying on
campus and that you don’t
have a vehicle.
I think you should stay in
the dorm even if you are
going to school in your
hometown. After all, your
grown behind said on more
than one occasion that you
couldn’t wait until you were
grown and out on your own.
Well, this is the first step!
Sure staying with a
relative or family friend
could be an option but you
really should get the experience
of fending for yourself
in the dormitory—washing
your clothes, waking
yourself up for class,
adhering to a curfew and
dealing with a roommate.
Now this roommate thing
is serious business. Talk to
most women and they will
tell you that their roommate
experience was really bad
because of theft, slovenly
behavior, sexual orientation
or a big mouth. Cultural differences
and sometimes
backgrounds can cause
issues but folks can usually
learn to get along.
It’s simple. Don’t take
anything that isn’t yours and
if youwant to use something,
ask first and replace it in the
same or better condition that
you took possession of it. I
have a standing rule that if
you borrow something and
keep it for an extended
amount of time; it’s yours.
Replace the item with a new
one and give it to the person.
You should try, however,
to come with all of your own
stuff so you won’t have to
borrow. Also, protect your
stuff and don’t let anyone
take advantage of you.
Keep your room clean.
Make sure you stock up on
cleaning supplies and use
them. Make sure you
dispose of food and your
sanitary items. Food brings
bugs and an awful smell.
Used sanitary items are
horrible. You shouldn’t want
anyone to see yours, so don’t
leave yours around to gross
others out. The sight and
smell are offensive and show
a lack of respect from the
guilty party.
Hang up your clothes,
make up your bed
EVERYDAY and make sure
everything is in order.
Next there’s that bathroom.
Flush the toilet after
you use it. Rinse the sink out
and dry splattered water off
of the counter top and the
mirror. Because your roommate
may not be as clean as
you, so make sure you have
plenty of disinfectant and
cleanser. And yes, that
means keep that tub clean,
whether you take a bath or
shower.
Also, please respect your
roommate’s privacy. Realize
that there is a time for
company and there’s also
quiet time. Do not let your
company disrespect your
roommate by being loud,
prying through her personal
stuff or sitting on her bed.
The two of you should
talk about your likes and
dislikes. You may like
listening to 50Cent and your
roommate may love James
Brown or Beyonce or Billie
Holliday; whatever the case,
watch the volume and
respect quite time.
Now before I move on,
many dormitories have a
policy about inter-room visitation—
meaning no guys in
girls’ rooms. Some people
will sneak. I know. My
roommate and her boyfriend
didn’t care that I was in the
next bed. They were rocking
and rolling and I was trying
to block out the sounds.
Don’t put anyone through
that type of ordeal.
And you may say I should
have told someone. Well,
even today I wonder about
being in that scenario
because it is so uncomfortable
and I just wanted to
keep the peace.
Sadly today an issue that
exists is that females are
having sex with one another
and so you have the same
scenario (I’ll talk about this a
little later).
Just remember to respect
your roommate and yourself.
Now about that car—you
don’t need it. Folks will take
advantage of you and before
you know it you will get calls
at every hour of the night
asking for a ride, without the
benefit of gas money from
your passengers.
Now some parents are not
going to pay attention to my
warnings. So if they decide
to give you a car, I would
strongly urge them to forbid
you to let ANYONE drive it.
I can’t tell you the countless
young ladies who to gain
favor with a young man, will
let them drive their cars.
Don’t let anyone drive the
car and if you happen to be
out on the town, whatever
you do, no drinking alcoholic
beverages.
I can’t say enough about
the hazards of driving drunk
or under the influence of
drugs. I don’t care howmuch
the Paris Hiltons and
Lindsay Lohans do it, I urge
you to go back to the
beginning of this column and
remember your hometraining
and spiritual foundation
|
