Studentstuff.com

Going Public: Confronting Your Bathroom Anxieties

Is this the enemy? HARDLY!

It happens to the best of us. You really have to go, but you know that the restroom near the science building is the only place you’ll get some privacy. It’s too far away. You’ll never make it in time. Your only option is the bathroom right around the corner. But it’s always so crowded. What to do…what to do…

I know, I know. It’s gross. Didn’t think you’d ever read about bathroom trips on a college blog surrounded about all things college? Well, allow your mind to be blown! You know all your apprehensions about further reading this? Those are the same feelings that some students and dare I say it, PEOPLE, have about using public restrooms.

Let’s explore these apprehensions in everyday college life.

People are hesitant about using the restroom in college. Why? Who knows. Everyone does it. Haven’t you read that popular children’s title? No? Well, everyone poops no matter what you think. Unfortunately, not everyone is as comfortable as I am with using public facilities.

Sure, it’s a little embarrassing from time to time. You walk into this great living quarters with people that you’ll live with for a few college terms. They’re all so nice. You hope you don’t get off on the wrong foot. But for the love of God, you want your private bathroom time and you don’t want someone waiting in the wings to use it right after you.

Maybe you can just hold it until they’re all asleep. Until you’re off to class so you can use a larger and more anonymous restroom. What?! There’s only one stall in this bathroom? Now, you’ve got to wait until AFTER your class because you’re afraid of missing valuable test answers foolishly relinquished by your professor…what restroom does he get to use?

A thought occurs: if (apparently) lots of people like to remain as anonymous as possible while using the restroom, which restroom to use? The secret ones of course! Or at least, the least used.

The best ones to use are on the lesser-used floors of the library. I’ve got to say this is a kicker. When I was in school I loved that one too. Same basic principle. Large building. Some floors emptier than others. During low-testing season there is hardly anybody there. Those bathrooms are pristine. Lucky enough to find one in the corner on the third floor? SCORE! Just pray that the maintenance crew knows it’s there too. Otherwise, you may find yourself hurting for some toilet paper.

Which is apparently the first problem that comes to mind for some people when trying to list problems with college bathrooms. No toilet seat covers comes in at a close second followed by broken locks. What about the dorms? Surely, you find privacy and comfort in these housing facilities. Dorm bathrooms are harder to deal with. Yeah, you don’t want to be the one that was in the stall while I was trying to brush my teeth. You hear someone walk in, it’s best to come out of the stall after you hear them leave or even go to a different floor where you don’t recognize anyone or where people don’t recognize you.

It’s about getting your me-time too! Some people have their best ideas while in the restroom. You can’t do that as people are walking in and out and flushing all the time. I guess this article came to me while in the restroom.

Well, we’ve reached the end dear readers and I can finally get my me-time. Hopefully, this article brings you some peace or at least lets you speak about these issues with others if you have them so you may overcome them.

STUDY HARD!