Twelve girls, one suite. While it sounds like a recipe for disaster (or the name of a viral video), there’s actually more to it than you may think. You’ve heard of all the pros — that is, making lifelong memories with one another — and you’ve certainly heard of all the cons, like unnecessary drama. But what about all the things in-between that no one ever mentions? Here are some:
1. The idea that girls are cleaner than boys is a myth.
Based on how they present themselves, girls typically appear to be more "put together" than guys, yet as soon as they’re behind closed doors, girls unleash a whole new level of disgusting habits. There’s nothing like going to take a shower and being face-to-face with clumps of wet hair clinging to the wall or having to navigate around the overflowing trash that smells like garlic bread, limes and regrets.
2. "Quick errands" feel more like class trips.
Even though you live with a dozen girls, less than half of you probably have your own cars on campus. So, whenever someone has to head off-campus for just a "quick trip to CVS," don’t be surprised if it suddenly feels like you’re going on a class trip. You pack everyone in tighter than a can of sardines, and by the time you reach your destination, it feels like a game of Jenga as you try to maneuver around limbs to get out. When you finally get in the store, everyone splits up in opposite directions, but not before pairing up with a buddy. Just make sure to take a headcount before you leave.
3. Privacy doesn't exist.
While this is true for college in general, you really notice it when you live in a suite with 12 other girls. Want to shower? Just walk across the entire common room in your towel as your suitemates and guy friends watch TV. Need to go to the bathroom? Don’t mind the girl in there doing her makeup since there’s "better lighting." The only time you have a moment to yourself is when you’re in the shower, and even then, it’s debatable.
4. FOMO is real.
Oh, you planned on doing homework in your room tonight? Good luck. The minute you open a textbook, you’ll notice all of your suitemates’ voices in the common room that you swear weren’t there a minute ago. They’ll get so loud they'll sound like they’re screaming, and the crippling anxiety that you’re missing out on something will kick in. Before you know it, you’re opening your door to see what all the commotion is about — only to realize they’re just sitting in front of the TV, watching a political debate. You go back in your room, they get loud again and the cycle continues. Piece of advice: invest in headphones.
5. Tapestries. Everywhere.
Are you really a group of college girls if your suite isn’t decorated with mandala tapestries from Urban Outfitters? Chances are, the tapestry in your suite is used as the backdrop for nearly all of your pictures. It’s made so many appearances on your Instagram that it feels like an honorary suitemate. Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to invest in some new decorations, like a life-size cutout of Fetty Wap.
6. "31 text messages? Oh, it's just the group chat."
A quick breakdown of your phone’s text messages is as follows: one from mom, one from a friend back home, and the rest from the group chat you have with your suite. From figuring out who’s available to grab dinner to planning your own John Tucker style of revenge, the group chat covers all the college essentials. The group name will probably change weekly, so don’t be too confused when there’s suddenly a chat titled "Dad Fetish" on your phone.
7. You share more than just closets.
Sure, it’s nice to have multiple closets to raid for outfits, but more importantly, think of all the refrigerators available to you. In a large group of girls, nearly everything is shared: clothes, food, beds, germs, embarrassing stories, details about someone that you totally didn’t need to know, and — at a small school with an unbalanced ratio — boys. What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine, right?
8. Sunday morning, brunch is calling.
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a Sunday morning and knowing that as soon as you manage to roll out of bed, you’ll get your life together by going to brunch. Granted, you’ll probably show up in sweatpants and sunglasses, trying to hide the fact that you’re still wearing your makeup from the night before, but rest assured, your suitemates will be, too. Sometimes all you need is brunch with your home girls and your home fries.
9. To the untrained eye, you look like a (rejected) sorority.
On a campus with no Greek life, you still manage to resemble a sorority by how you all do everything together. That, or a poorly crafted cast on some MTV reality show. You’re not too sure what else actually goes on in sororities. They all just seem really clean and like they have their lives together — neither apply to your friends.
10. There always seems to be that one show playing in the common room and no one’s even in there.
In the criminal justice system, "Law & Order: SVU" marathons should be illegal. You could probably recite the opening narration in Pig Latin if you wanted.
11. You'll never all be satisfied.
On a serious note, when you live with so many other girls, you need to understand that you’ll never be able to please everyone. Something will always be inconvenient for someone, they would rather do this instead of that, this person only needs "like, 20 more minutes" before they’re ready, and the list goes on. You will get frustrated with one another at some point, and chances are, you’ll say some things you don’t really mean. Give yourself some space from one another, don’t take any of it personally, and know when to be the one to step up and apologize.
12. As cliché as it is, they feel like family.
Cue the sappy "Full House" music. Siblings constantly push each other’s boundaries, get angry and bicker, and need their space from one another. At the same time, they’re your support system, sense of comfort and source of advice. As much as they might not want to admit it, they care for you. So, while these girls might not be directly related to you, they certainly feel like it. And, if that’s the case, we should totally get a family pet.
