[nabs-l] Single Room: Opinions

Sat Apr 24 19:21:23 UTC 2010

As for me, having a roommate my freshman year was the best idea. I had a lot of books and equipment, but it worked out just fine. I ended up moving to a single the next year because I got a guide dog, but I definitely had a great start to my college experience by having a roommate. I learned a lot about myself and how to interact with others.

Good luck!!

Briley

On Apr 24, 2010, at 12:07 PM, Arielle Silverman wrote:

> Hi Chelsea and all,
> 
> Don't get me started on this--when I was in college all the blind
> students were urged to get single rooms, for similar reasons as what
> you described. We were also urged to get the special
> wheelchair-accessible rooms at the end of the hall so we could have
> more space and our own bathroom. I ended up doing the single, but
> insisted on having a normal room in the middle of the hall so I
> wouldn't be so isolated from everyone else (not to mention appear more
> disabled than I really am to all my floormates). In hindsight I don't
> think having the single was bad, but it certainly wasn't necessary,
> and I do wonder if I would have been more socially active had I had a
> typical room with a roommate. I also had Braille books, but they
> generally fit on one or two shelves on a typical shelving unit. I
> think it depends on what equipment you will actually be bringing. I
> think most college students have a computer and printer in their dorm
> room, so if you bring a laptop or netbook (which takes up very little
> space), a scanner/printer/copier (same size as a printer and works
> just as well for scanning), and a Braille Note/Pac Mate (also tiny),
> you should be fine. Unless you anticipate getting entire books in
> Braille all at once, I don't think the Brailled chapters will take up
> much extra space (remember, sighted students have several print books
> too). I got my Braille books chapter-by-chapter, so I never had the
> whole book in my room at once.
> 
> Finally, if you do decide to go the single room route, make sure
> you're being assigned to a typical room on the same floor you would
> normally. Residential life once tried to put me in a
> wheelchair-accessible room on an all-guys' floor, which I suppose may
> appeal to some women, but would have made social interaction very
> awkward, to say the least. Use the communal bathrooms if your hall has
> them and keep your door open and go to floor/dorm events if you want
> to get to know your dormmates and be part of the group.
> 
> Arielle
> 
> On 4/24/10, Beth <thebluesisloose at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I wouldn't recommend a single room.  I was put in one and in a remote
>> location, so watch where you live dorm wise.  It's hard for me to walk
>> everywhere and mobility has been a huge concern, so I'm med dropping
>> three of my classes.  It's really hard on me because if I need
>> something done and my computer freezes up, and I have Windows
>> Vista/Pista (don't ask), I have to knock on someone's door and they
>> usually help, but I've gotten people who aren't knowledgeable about
>> PC's.  So I have to be careful and I'd recommend a roommate until you
>> figure things out.
>> Beth
>> 
>> On 4/24/10, Chelsea Cook <astrochem119 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hello NABSters,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I will be starting college next fall. Likewise, I've been very busy
>>> getting everything worked out! Something brought up: It was suggested
>>> by a few blind friends that I try and obtain a single room (I will
>>> have many computers and a lot of Braille for my physics major.) I've
>>> shared a room before and totally intend to participate in dorm life.
>>> What do you guys think? From a practical standpoint, it seems like an
>>> enticing idea; just want a second opinion.
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> Chelsea
>>> --
>>> "I ask you to look both ways.  For the road to a knowledge of the
>>> stars leads through the atom; and important knowledge of the atom has
>>> been reached through
>>> the stars."
>>> Sir Arthur Eddington, British astrophysicist (1882-1944), Stars and
>>> Atoms (1928), Lecture 1
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association of Blind Students
> Phone:  602-502-2255
> Email:
> nabs.president at gmail.com
> Website:
> www.nabslink.org
> 
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