Parent of a triple survivor here. @Empireapple Unfortunately, attempting to go all Norma Rae on the housing folks at a top state school that gets 100,000 applications will fall on deaf ears. As bad as cramming 3 into doubles (or 4) is, at my kid didn’t get shipped off to a completely different school’s campus because of lack of housing (THAT happened to some kids last year). If we were paying private school prices, then I’d be a little more outraged.
D was in a small double room turned into a triple: a bunk bed on one wall and a single bunk over a very deep table on top of two drawer cabinets (to create 2 desks). 3rd desk was in front of the window between the two bunks (large, with an amazing view - really the only redeeming quality). Two closets, with a dresser at the end of the double bunk, drawers underneath the double bunk, fridge/micro at end of single bunk. Add to that the slightly nautical “basic” lighting next to each closet and the room had a definite submarine feel: claustrophibic and dimly lit. Roommate #1 got to move in early, so she took the single bunk. D opted for the bottom of the double bunk since she was the one who had the early classes (7:00a.m.!) and didn’t want to be stumbling up and down a ladder at that time of morning. Downside is that Roommate #2 in the upper bunk was loud, between the creaking bed, snack eating and typing at 2:00a.m.
For maximum success:
- similar schedules. Having an early bird rooming with night owls (or vice versas) is a #1 recipe for conflicts. It can work, but all parties must be very respectful of each other;
- don't have too much stuff, and have effective storage for what you do have;
- be clear up front who gets what built-in storage - it may never be entirely equal, but then someone may need less than the other two and/not care about it as much;
- all 3 roommates will be fairly neat and put things away rather than leave piles of clothes, food, etc. to form. Even if it gets shoved in the closet, it's not on the floor. Pigginess is another source of conflict, especially in such tight quarters;
- DO NOT BRING YOUR ENTIRE WARDROBE. No one needs 12 pairs of shoes at college - most kids wind up wearing jeans, shorts, flip flops, tennis shoes and sweatshirts, even if they planned to "try" this year;
- resign yourself to studying mostly in the study lounges/libraries. D created a large "study bin" full of her study aids that she could drag out and then store underneath her desk when not needed;
- share your schedules so that you know roughly when people will be coming and going in and out of the room. Communicate with each other if you are going to need the room for "extracurricular activities" (otherwise, both roommates will walk in on you within the space of an hour - 'nuf said). If you feel you don't get enough "alone time" in the room (even if it's just hanging out or napping), you will start resenting your roommates;
- tell yourself that it's only for a school year. And, hope that the housing gods smile on you next year. D wound up in a coveted on-campus 4-bedroom apartment with 3 roommates. Yes, they each get their OWN bedroom - oh, the luxury!