Lauren Becker: A Taste of Independence

Lauren Becker, a freshman at the University of Colorado, is a resident of Smith Hall in the Kittredge Community on campus. She lives with one other roommate, and she eats most often at Kittredge Dining Hall.

1) How would you describe your living experience in Smith Hall this year?

• If you are friends with people in your building, then you have all of your friends in one area. It's a little like camp, and "every kid wanted to go to camp."
• One big change from high school is that you don't have parents around. You're more independent, so you have to take care of things like laundry and dishes on your own.
• You have to get used to public bathrooms and no private showers.
• Smith Hall specifically - it's getting demolished and renovated at the end of this year, so it will be a much nicer building next year.
• Living in Kittredge is nice because it's away from central campus. When you go "home," you don't have to see school, and you feel like you're getting away for the weekends. "Although it sucks walking in the cold to main campus" during the winter.
• There's construction going on right now on a new student center near Kittredge, so I'm excited for that (but I don't think the new student center will make Kittredge itself more crowded - mostly the only people that hang out there are Kittredge residents).

2) How do you like Kitt Dining Hall? What do you think of dining services at CU in general?

• "I don't feel like I'm missing out on home-cooked quality meals."
• There are more options than you might have at home.
• Kittredge Dining Hall is more "homey" than the other dining halls. It's not crowded, dark, or noisy, and you can see the whole room from any table so it's easy to locate your friends.
• Next year, I will miss the convenience and social experience of eating in the dining halls.

3) How would you describe your experience living with a roommate this year?

• "I got lucky with my roommate, we're best friends... but I know other people don't necessarily love their roommates."
• It's interesting sharing a room with someone you're not related to (I shared a room with my sister in high school).
• You have to cooperate with each person's different preferences (music during homework, noise in the morning, etc.).

4) What advice would you give to incoming freshmen as they begin dorm life at CU?

• "Be nice to your roommate. If you're not best friends, just don't be enemies."
• If you have a problem with your roommate, bring it up. "Once you're in college, you shouldn't be afraid to face your problems and deal with them rationally on your own."
• Hang around in the Common Areas of your residence hall a lot, at least when you first move in.
• Try your best to meet people, get to know others in your dorm.
• Sign up for Intramural sports. They're a great way to make friends in your building!

Interview Background: I interviewed Lauren because she lives in Smith Hall in Kittredge, and many prospective students haven't heard a lot about the Kittredge Community. She gives an interesting perspective on the roommate situation because she and her roommate have very different interests, yet they still became great friends. They even chose to live together again next year in Bear Creek Apartments. I interviewed Lauren in person, paraphrasing most of her answers onto a Word Document but typing in some direct quotes as well. Lauren was talkative and did not seem confused by any questions. If I were to interview her again, I might ask her more specific questions about the Kittredge Community, such as proximity to Bear Creek and distance from the Hill.

Caryn Maconi