In three short weeks I will be completing my junior year here at Fairfield University and my tenure as an on-campus student. In three weeks I’ll not only be leaving Fairfield to return home, but I’ll also be leaving my lovely suite in Claver Hall.
Needless to say I was slightly bitter last September when my friends were moving into their beach houses and townhouses and I was moving into yet another dorm. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to another year of living in one room, even though it came with a bathroom. However, looking back on this year I realized that living in Claver was not as unbearable as I thought it would be. I survived just fine, although like every living situation, Claver definitely has its highs and lows.
First of all, it was pretty good not to have to share a bathroom with 20 other girls. No longer did I have to worry about random males seeing me in my towel on the way to or from the shower. The convenience was a plus, but I could have dealt without peeling paint in the shower stall (which we had already repainted once this year) and the clogged sinks. But, all in all, the Claver bathrooms are a plus.
My first real complaint about living in Claver doesn’t have as much to do with the living situation as it does with location. As residents of Kostka and the apartments can surely agree, parking in the Village Complex is anything but convenient during the week. I can’t even count how many times I have driven around the parking lots endlessly praying for a free parking spot. I also cannot remember how many times I’ve seen faculty or staff members parking their cars in our precious “brown” spaces. Honestly, I walk from Claver to my classes all over campus every day, is it so far for faculty to walk from the Canisius lot to Bannow a few times a week?
There are no peep holes in the Claver doors. Not a huge deal, just something that bothers me.
Having a meal plan for a third year wasn’t a great time. I’m sorry, but $600 dining dollars do not make up for the fact that I’m living in one room (although the seemingly endless supply of chicken fingers and Diet Cokes helped ease the pain).
One thing that I thought was going to annoy me was being surrounded by sophomores. When I arrived in September and saw all the “’06” names on the doors I wasn’t exactly pleased. Looking back now, I would never trade the friendships I’ve made this year for the chance to live in a townhouse (yeah, I realize how corny that is, but deal with it). Seriously though, even with the endless guitar playing and 4 a.m. drunken invasions of my room, I’ve learned that living with underclassmen isn’t always a disaster.
To all of the rising juniors who are already dreading spending next year in a suite, try not to be too bitter yet. I’m living proof that you will survive next year, and maybe even enjoy yourselves. So enjoy your bathroom, parking, and sophomores next year, and I’ll see you at the beach!
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