In early nineteen seventy five I decided to attend Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. It was an easy decision since many of my cousins attended there. At first I felt like a burden because they made sure I found my way around. Most of my high school class would go on to college.

Moving into a dorm was an experience. Now I am fifty years young and have acquired a lot of stuff. When you are seventeen; you have few possessions. I moved in with the clothes on my back. I figured I’d decorate as time went on. I did fine for a single college student.

Meeting my new roommate was exciting. I grew up with seven younger siblings and six were girls. The girls and I had little in common. I am the oldest of eight. As you can decipher; I am a guy. Sharing was never my strong suite. Ask my brother. For a year I lived on the seventh story of a twenty story building. It was massive. Mainly freshmen and sophomores live there. My roommate was an ex marine and fought in Vietnam. I am the opposite. As a kid I was quite liberal.

The second and third year I lived on a coed floor in a seven story building. It was an experimental arrangement by the University. It turned out splendid. We learned respect for each other. Every other room was girls. There were two bathrooms on the floor; one for each sex.

In the common area there was always a card game going on. They’re a group of us who played spades. We were like an extended family. Every one knew each other.

During my senior year I moved into a dorm which was reserved for seniors. It was a tall building; probably thirty stories. Each floor was divided into four sections; east, west, north, and south. It provided an excellent atmosphere to study as all the students were serious about their studies. In my earlier years I met many people who were not serious students. They were only there to party.

In college I lived in the dorm for my entire student career. I often thought of moving off campus, but I liked the idea of others preparing my meals. I like to eat, but not cook.