I’m nineteen years old and I’m currently living with four guys who are all In their early twenties. Seeing as they’re all brothers of the same fraternity, there are constant friends hanging out in our house, and we have a dog, so things get pretty crazy. It’s actually a miracle that we haven’t destroyed the house yet… Being the only girl in a house full of guys can be insane, but it’s a ton of fun. It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t trade my roommates for the world. If you’re a girl in the same situation as me, check out these tips on how to survive living with a group of boys!
1. Get used to being the "house mom."
When people would see me clean up after my male roommates, they would tease me and call me "Mom." I always denied it. I was used to cleaning up random things around the house, but the first time one of my roommates asked me to vacuum his room I realized that I really was the boys' house mom.
2. Don't get mad when things get dirty.
Trust me, the first time I came home to a table littered with empty bottles and pizza boxes, I was infuriated seeing as I had just cleaned it that morning. Just remind yourself that "boys will be boys" and that means that they'll probably leave their leftovers sitting out for a while after they're finished eating.
3. Keep a stash of toilet paper under the bathroom sink.
You may think I'm joking with this one, but I am 100% serious. Not only do guys always use the last of the toilet paper, they always forget to replace the roll. So, take my advice and stash one or two (or seven) extra rolls of toilet paper underneath the sink for those moments when you realize that they forgot... Again...
4. Say goodbye to your sleep schedule.
You will somehow get roped into their midnight jam sessions and their three a.m. nerf battles. If you somehow had a sleep schedule, it's going to disappear. I honestly don't remember the last time I went to bed before midnight!
5. Always say yes to junk food.
If you don't say yes, they're going to bring you some anyway. I swear I've gained ten pounds already from living with boys. Between random fast food runs and the endless supply of potato chips in our pantry, my diet definitely isn't lacking any sodium.
6. Get ready to laugh. A lot.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself laying on the floor, laughing your head off, with tears streaming down your face. Living with guys is a blast and they always have something funny to say.
7. Have your best advice on hand at all times.
Being the only girl in a house with four boys, I'm usually the one that gets to handle the questions about girls, homework assignments, and anything else they're having trouble with. It's usually easiest if you just expect to be needed for advice instead of having to think up a long response off the top of your head.
8. Be prepared to make a lot of new friends.
Not only will the boys you live with become some of your closest friends, but you will also meet so many new people through them. Personally, living with four fraternity brothers has introduced me to many members of my university's Greek Life and other students. I've met some amazing people through my roommates.
9. Don't hide your feelings.
If you're upset, don't feel lke your need to hide it from your male roommates. If you need them to lend a listening ear, ask them to do so. Trust me, they've probably learned to love you just as much as you've grown to love them. They will always be there for you when you need them.
10. Carefully plan out your morning routine.
Since I share a bathroom with three boys, I've learned that it's very important to get up earlier than I need to so I can make sure I get a shower in before class or work. Also, I always try to do my hair and makeup at my desk in my bedroom because I know how annoyed the boys get when they see a counter full of beauty products when they really need to use the bathroom.
11. Get used to the overbearing smell of cologne.
You've probably smelled some strong cologne before, but imagine that times four. A mixture of different, equally strong colognes in the morning can usually cause a pretty annoying headache. But hey, at least the boys smell good.
Overall, living with boys is a blast. It might be difficult sometimes, but I know that I wouldn't trade it for the world!
