Story by Sara Howell, Features Editor
I began my Murray State career living on campus. After going to my Summer O session in June of 2015, I was pretty excited to live in a residential college. I anxiously waited to find out which dorm I would get assigned.
A few of my friends got their information before I did and were going to be living in Franklin College. Though I hoped I would get that one as well, I ended up getting a room on the third floor of Springer College. My friends and I were still able to do a lot of fun things together since out colleges were combined.
I ended up getting assigned a random roommate who turned out to be really cool. She was from Nepal and was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She actually went home with me for Spring Break and was able to meet my family and experience small town Dover life.
At first I was worried about living with a stranger but I am glad that life played out the way it did. Going into my sophomore year, I continued to live in Springer. When everyone had to move out because of issues with mold I moved into Franklin.
The roommate I was supposed to have ended up moving into another residential college so I was able to decorate this room however I wanted. I also loved that I got a lot more closet space. It was cool to be able to experience living on campus both with and without a roommate.
As the end of my second year grew closer, I was finally able to live off campus. My best friend Madison and I had already decided half way through the school year that we were going to be roommates for the upcoming year. Once the time came, I left home to live in Murray with her in a cabin on the lake.
Her family has owned this cabin since 2011. Once Madison decided she was going to school here, her dad let her stay in it. I was constantly over there before I moved in so it only made sense for it to really happen once I was able to move off campus.
Living 20 minutes from campus was definitely something to get used to. I had to remember to wake up earlier than normal to give myself enough time to drive into town. As someone who loves sleep, that was rough.
Now, it is just all part of my routine. We have faced a few struggles here but I honestly learned a lot from them. I have had to help install a new air conditioner, learn how to get and keep a pilot light on a wall heater lit and figure out that is it best not to panic when you are having plumbing problems. Just ask for the help you need instead of wasting money on products you think will work.
Though there have been some bumps in the road, the great memories that have been made at this place makeup for them. I know there will always be a spot in my heart for the cabin. When our friends come over they seem to fall in love with it as well.
It is the perfect place to relax and let your problems slip away for a bit. Plus, everyone loves our fluffy, orange cat Marvin. He loves attention so when people are over he is all for it. He is both an inside and outside cat so he thinks he runs the whole marina. He can be gone for hours outside and come back like there is nothing wrong about it. He is kind of a sass king.
I know a lot of people say that living with your best friend is not what you think it will be but since moving in together Madison and I have just grown closer. I swear it is like sometimes we can read each other’s minds.
When I first came to college I was definitely scared of the unknown. Being able to experience all of these different living situations while in school has really helped me mature. I am learning how to handle adult situations successfully while making memories to last a lifetime.