Ask Bananas

Posted on Monday, February 5th, 2007, 12:00 am

Dear Bananas,

I hate my roommate. She keeps using my things even when I tell her not to. It’s like it goes into one ear and out the other. I tell her specifically not to do something, and she does it. Also, she won’t take out the garbage until it’s overflowing, and she leaves hair all over the bathroom. I can’t stand it. What do you think?

-Problem 101

Dear Problem 101,

This is a very common problem among college students. When living in such close quarters, you are bound to get into some argument with your roommate and learn all about their annoying flaws.

You should talk to her about your concerns. Tell her about the health hazards and everything else that goes along with not taking out her garbage. If you politely ask her to stop touching your belongings and she still does, I would say maybe hide them so she won’t be able to find them or put a little Post-It on the item reminding her she’s borrowing it and to please return it.

This may come off as obnoxious, but I think it might help out. Maybe she is just forgetful, and this will reinforce to her how important it is to you that you get it back.

Dear Banans,

I have a problem. My boyfriend and I have been dating since our first year of high school. We’re very close, and he’s the only serious boyfriend I’ve ever had. We both grew up in Maine, and as weird as it sounds we both love it here and want to stay.

We’ve even talked about the future, and discussed getting married. Everything was perfect.

But he really didn’t want to spend all his time only in Maine. He wanted to visit other states and learn about them as well. He always knew he wanted to come back here, but he wanted to do the away-from-home bit for awhile too. So he got into Stanford.

We’re doing the long-distance relationship thing- we’re both freshman – but it’s gotten really hard lately. He doesn’t come home much, and when he is home he has to spend so much time with his family that these visits are like one big letdown.

He’s got all new friends and all new hobbies, and it’s like we have a hard time talking now because he’s doing so many different things and I’m doing the same things we’ve always done.

He still wants to come home to Maine, but I’m wondering if our relationship can last that long.

I don’t know what to do; I really love this guy and I still want everything to work. He says he does too, and I believe him, but so much is changing. Should I just let it go?

-Alone in the Trees

Dear Alone In the Trees,

This isn’t something you should just let go; by avoiding the topic with your boyfriend it might just lead to disaster later on.

Continuing a relationship while in college, let alone at different schools, is extremely difficult and I myself would say the odds of it working are against you.

College is a time to explore and find yourself. Meet new people and discover new things. I don’t really think its a time to be tied down because you are around so many new people. You never know maybe one of them is the right one. You also as a freshman have so many new and exciting things thrown at you.

Talk to him about how you feel, because he probably shares some of your concerns. You could take a break, give one another a chance to meet other people, and if it’s really meant to be, then you will find one another and everything will work out.

The key thing is: Talk to him about it. It seems like he’s starting to live his life and find himself though and I think you should also.

Do you have a problem that’s driving you Bananas? Send it to blkbearadvice1865@

gmail.com to get answers. The Maine Campus reserves the right to edit submissions for size and clarity. All submissions will be printed anonymously.