When Thin Walls make for Thick Tension

jacqueline schaffer
Mar 13
2 min read

Your roommate definitely heard you last night…now what?

By: Jacqueline Schaffer

After a romantic dinner at Relish with Tanner from Pike, followed by a moonlit walk past the drunk girl passed out in front of The Range, you decide it’s finally time to bring him back to the luxurious four by two apartment you call home; with its dysfunctional AC unit and very thin walls

After Tanner briskly makes his way out of your apartment the next morning to make it on time to ‘a thing,’ you notice your roommate being particularly quiet. That’s when realization sets in, followed by panic and then crippling embarrassment:

Your roommate definitely heard you last night.

Thanks to the incredibly low rate Gainesville developers are willing to spend on college housing, we have all experienced the wonders of the least soundproof walls of all time. So, how does one go about navigating that?

Try to plan ahead

One thing most UF students have become accustomed to is sharing space. Your home is your space, but it is also the space of three girls you met on Facebook four months ago.

One text can go a long way! If Tanner is coming over after date night or you’re bringing someone back from the club, make sure to give your roomies a heads-up so they can mentally prepare and find their sound-proof headphones.

Credit: Jacqueline Schaffer

Don’t ignore it

If you have a more confrontational roommate who lets you know she didn’t sign up for a listening party of, what you claimed to be, the best sex ever, think about how you’ll respond.

Roommate honesty and communication is important, but don’t be shamed out of…taking care of business…in your own home. Make sure you let your wallmate know that you’re sorry about the noise and you’ll be more aware of it next time.

Avoiding the situation only makes it more uncomfortable for everyone. You know they heard you, and they know what they heard, clear the air!

And for those on the other side of the wall: don’t belittle your roomie, we’ve all been there, it’s part of the college experience!

Laugh it off!

This may feel like the most awkward experience you will ever have in your life. Don’t worry, there will be more. As young adults we are experiencing living on our own for the first time, not having to worry about having the door open when a boy is in your room or showing up drunk past curfew.

If you’re lucky enough to have a roommate with a sense of humor, this is nothing more than an embarrassing story you’ll retell together some ways down the road. If not…it’s going to be a long semester.

And remember, it could always be worse!