First Impressions: Luck of the draw

Last week, probably around 85 percent of the conversations I had with other people were related to two subjects. The first, which I talked about mainly with my friends, was Super Smash Brothers Brawl, undoubtedly one of the most addicting games ever. However, I am not here to talk about that; it's certainly not a big deal. That takes a backseat to the second main subject of discussion. Everyone, be it my friends, enemies, or anyone else, was talking about this.

Housing, of course.

For months, people have been formulating the various-sized groups of people who they wish to live with in the upcoming academic year. For a while now, I have heard the phrase "Dude, our eight-man is gonna be sick next year!" more times than I can count. However, as the housing deadline neared, lots of people dropped out of groups, leading to a virtual scouting combine of people struggling to pick up that additional person or two. I was fortunate enough to run a 4.42 40-yard dash, solidifying a spot in a potential eight-man with a bunch of my friends.

When the fateful day rolled around, and we were to find out about whether we were going to get the prestigious eight-man or not, most people's outlook changed to, "Don't worry about not getting an eight-man, we can get quads in Walsh and then block!" After that day came the calls of "We can still get our nine-man, we won't get unlucky a third time." Finally, when the housing lottery ended, a majority of us were saying, "I hate ResLife so much, let's get plastered." That progression of thought was absolutely spectacular to hear.

Now, I completely understand this unabashed anger toward a computerized lottery system. We see seniors living in the Mods, or absurdly spacious apartments, we see juniors in spacious suites. We see those lucky sophomores who got the eight-mans they wanted. Jealousy is a completely justified feeling, especially as a majority of us sophomores will be in the same type of residence halls as freshman year, with horrid community bathrooms and such. It certainly isn't the most ideal of environments.

But, we must look on the bright side of things. As a current Newton Campus resident, I must say that no matter how much worse College Road supposedly is, it certainly cannot be worse than not even being on Main Campus. I imagine it will be glorious to not have to wake up over an hour before classes. That alone is worth the price of admission. And, for everyone that is living on Upper right now, you'll once again be in familiar surroundings. The familiarity will stimulate your mind like no other.

For anyone who didn't have the good fortune to live where they wanted to live, to quote former First Lady Nancy Reagan, "I have been very happy with my homes, but homes are really no more than the people that live with them." That's some deep stuff. The people who you are with are far more important than where you are living, and we all should always remember that.

In addition, most of the more "desirable" living environments aren't all they are cracked up to be. For future seniors, is it really worth living in the Mods and every weekend having freshman girls swarming your living areas in search of alcohol? (Actually, on second thought, don't answer that). My fellow future sophomores, is Walsh all it's cracked up to be, with its Princess Bride-sized rodents, floods, and urine-filled elevators? I think not.

My point is, just because some of us got the short end of the stick in housing, that doesn't mean next year will be miserable. When one door closes, another opens, and nothing will help alleviate the sadness or anger more than a positive outlook. We can do it.

Of course, I wouldn't know. I got an eight-man in Vandy.