Owning Your Alone Time
By Elise Andersen, Lifestyle Staff Writer
An untold truth about being a college student is that personal space can be hard to come by. Attending a university with more than 40,000 students is sometimes overwhelming, and coming home to a shared dorm or bedroom often increases that stressed-out feeling. Finding ways to spend time alone, whether it be physically or mentally, is key to staying sane amidst the craziness of college.
Finding a local hangout is one of the easiest ways to physically separate yourself from the hustle and bustle of college life. Whether it be a coffee shop or secret study spot, choosing a place that brings you peace and visiting it regularly will provide you with the separation that you crave. Get away from State Street, where you are likely to run into fellow UW students. Instead, visit one of the many coffee shops on Capitol Square, Willy Street or Monroe Street. On Willy Street, check out Ground Zero Coffee, or head to Crescendo Espresso Bar if you are over by Camp Randall. Attempting to study in the always overcrowded College and Memorial Libraries can increase your stress levels, so try to find unknown, secret spots — like the Journalism Reading Room or the third floor of the Education building — to study at instead.
Bedrooms are typically thought of as a safe haven for relaxation, but when they are shared with a roommate it is nearly impossible to find any sort of privacy. To help make your space feel separate, try putting your bed behind a larger piece of furniture or use curtains to mimic a wall. Lofting your bed in a dorm room and placing your desk and a comfy chair underneath is a great way to create a cozy study area or personal reading nook. Even the smallest of dorm rooms have the potential for personal space.
Aside from the physical aspects of personal space, it is important to have an ongoing conversation with your roommate(s) about when they will typically be in the room or apartment. Learning each other’s class and work schedules will benefit everyone. Communicating about when you will be home or out will help maximize you and your roommates’ “me” time, leading to a happier shared space. Remember that they need their space too. Being respectful to their privacy will remind them respect yours.
Coming home from a long, stressful day and hoping to crawl into bed is often interrupted by a roommate being home. When you need some space but also want to be in the comfort of your own room, meditation is the perfect solution. There are plenty of guided meditations online, as well as a whole host of meditation apps, the most popular being HeadSpace. Not only will meditating help you escape your physical space for a little while, but it will also leave you feeling less stressed and anxious. Regular meditation also helps regulate emotions and boost immunity throughout those hectic college days.
Adjusting to a shared space and highly populated campus can take time and effort. Practicing these personal space techniques can help avoid additional stress and keep you feeling balanced. Making the most out of our less-than-ideal college living situations will make that big, spacious home that many dream of much more worth it when the time comes.