Surviving a triple

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, Op. These people are mean! I clicked on this thread as I thought it would be a break from all those annoying “how do I get into Chicago” threads.

I think your question is totally legitimate,OP, and gives us a glimpse into what my child may expect approaching college.

And besides, all of these parents calling “helicopter parent” is such total BS. Why are they even on this board if they’re not looking for some information about colleges that their child could be looking for.

Anyway, my child would have some concerns about being ina triple and I appreciate reading the non-snarky responses.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC will be a freshman at an urban college and has been assigned a triple. This was a surprise. How did your child, who really appreciates their privacy and lone space do? Any tips to make it better?

You learn to find your own quiet space - a favorite corner in the library, a quiet lounge in an academic building, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, Op. These people are mean! I clicked on this thread as I thought it would be a break from all those annoying “how do I get into Chicago” threads.

I think your question is totally legitimate,OP, and gives us a glimpse into what my child may expect approaching college.

And besides, all of these parents calling “helicopter parent” is such total BS. Why are they even on this board if they’re not looking for some information about colleges that their child could be looking for.

Anyway, my child would have some concerns about being ina triple and I appreciate reading the non-snarky responses.

+1

-1
This is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme. The bigger fuss OP mkes about it, the more of an issue it will be for her son

[Anonymous]

It will be fine. I was in a triple. You have a few choices - put two beds in bunkbed format and one single, build a loft, do an L for bunk beds (so one on stilts) and then the third separate, etc. What you do with the beds really depends on the layout of the space. There are 3 desks. It isn't really a bad thing. As someone else posted, now your kid will know 2 people on campus.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would be annoyed (although I probably wouldn't come on DCUM to seek practical suggestions on how DC can deal). I do think that schools should provide a bigger room & board discount when they do this..

Just stock up on some hanging storage products and hope that the double room is not really tiny to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would be annoyed (although I probably wouldn't come on DCUM to seek practical suggestions on how DC can deal). I do think that schools should provide a bigger room & board discount when they do this..

Just stock up on some hanging storage products and hope that the double room is not really tiny to begin with.

Did anyone say it was a double size room turned into a triple? I don't think so. It might be huge or even two rooms.

My son had a triple and loved it. One of his roommates is one of his best friends, the other is fine but not that close. A couple things that helped - bunking two of the beds to create floor space and having a few ground rules for the room - they all cleaned up on Sunday for example and some rules about fridge space - helped three people get along in a small space.

College is an adjustment that requires consideration and cooperation whether you have a single or quad. As a parent just stay positive about whatever the assignment is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With all these doubles and triples I am wondering where US college students manage to have sex?

I went to college in the UK where there were predominantly single rooms, so it was never a problem.

I was in a triple freshman year. There were only two of us. She had sex no problem in the bed under me...luckily she moved out mid year to live with a fried and I got the room to myself. I heard she got pregnant and dropped out. No surprise there.

[Anonymous]

I was in a triple. Most were. Lack of space/privacy was hard on relationships, did cause stress. Lots of students switched rooms, informally. We never told the university. We pared up with other people we liked better, could live with better. It was all quite civil. Almost all switches were made before things got bad.

[Anonymous]

Triple as in...three beds in a room that would normally sleep two? Or a set up that is actually meant for three? My daughter ended up with the latter and liked it a lot. There was a bedroom with three beds, a bathroom, and then a little sitting area in the front. But I think the three people in a normal sized dorm room could be hard but he can find privacy in other ways- study rooms, etcz

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having two roommates just increases the likelihood that one is normal. My freshman roommate was sleeping with half of the football team, often in our room. My dd’s freshman roommate has a lot of mental health issues, doesn’t really ever leave the room and doesn’t go to bed before 2am. My sister’s freshman roommate is still her best friend 30 years later. This could be great, and if it isn’t, it’s not forever.

No it doubles your chances that you will have a problem. Seriously, triples are to be avoided. One kid is always on the out with the other two and chances are that kid will be yours. Seriously if your kid has an attention issue, talk to disability services and get them into a single or double.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone say it was a double size room turned into a triple? I don't think so. It might be huge or even two rooms.

Oh, you're right. i don't know where i got the idea that it was a forced triple. If it's a standard triple room designed for three people, it should be no big deal.

My DC had the tiniest double room I've ever seen and I was trying to imagine a third bed in that space. (That would not have worked).

[Anonymous]

OP, ignore the sanctimommies. They can't seem to help it lately, in every thread on this Board. They need to be bitches to make themselves feel better. As they are well aware, it's possible to let a kid figure it out, while also asking around to see if there is any advice/help you can offer. That's what good parents do. It's also likely what they would do. But, it makes them feel better to pretend otherwise and be a bitch to you.

Ignore. And find some nice people where you live to speak to. You won't find those here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone say it was a double size room turned into a triple? I don't think so.

We saw a few examples of this during college tours, so I assumed that's what the OP was talking about. If this is a "real" three-person room, well then, there's nothing really to get excited about.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was in a triple freshman year (ages ago!). It was a converted lounge, so the room was pretty big. It happened by accident, but here's what worked for me. My two roommates ended up in the beds furthest from the door (their choice). That was probably preferable, but it also meant they were crossing each other's space (to get to desks, dressers, closets) all the time and I think it contributed to them getting on each other's nerves. I had all my stuff (bed, dresser, desk, closet) over in one third of the room and felt like I had more of my own space. Depending on the room configuration, your kid and his roommates may be able to set it up so they don't overlap too much.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to imagine my parents being worried about this and trying to get pointers from other parents. Luckily, they did not because I was a pretty functioning person. Back off, OP. The helicoptering needs to stop and this is s good place.