Personality Zone

Q&A with the College Advisor

Dear College Advisor,
My roommate is an Artisan Performer and I’m a Guardian Inspector.  Usually we get along pretty well.  She realizes that I need quiet time to study.  Part of the time I go to the library and when I’m really deep into study in my room, she tends to spend time with friends.  I like the fun she brings into my life, but I do have one pet peeve.  She throws her stuff all over the room and then snoops into my stuff while trying to get her own picked up.  I haven’t been successful in getting her to change and I wonder if I should get a different roommate next year.

Dear Guardian:
A new roommate could be better or worse.  Only you can know if her messiness and snooping is too much for you to take.  You have two avenues for action.  You’ll need to investigate who else might be a potential roommate for next year.  But you’ll also need to talk to her because if rumors get back to her about your investigation she’ll be boiling mad.  Tell her that you are contemplating getting a new roommate because you are finding her snooping into your things offensive.  Tell her that if she can confine her messiness to her side of the room and keep out of your stuff, that you’d be happy to share with her again because you really value the fun she brings into your life.  If she can’t agree, then you are best to part company.

Dear College Advisor,
I hate putting up with professors who claim to know a subject but don’t really know it in depth.  Those who seem interested in students, I can put up with, but those who are controlling and arrogant with no depth behind them drive me bonkers.  I’ve had a hard time staying interested in this one professor’s class and he resents my questions.  I seem to be showing him up.  Unfortunately, it is a required class and he tends to grade down my essays. Sometimes my schedule doesn’t allow me a lot of choice and I’m afraid I might be stuck with a situation like this again.  Any tips on how to handle it?

Dear Rational,
If you can’t avoid taking a class from a professor that you don’t respect, you’ll need to learn to curb your tongue.  Challenging and embarrassing a professor in front of a class isn’t helping you.  It’s just letting you vent your frustration.  An element of wisdom is knowing when and when not to speak up.  If you have to ask questions, try asking some that the professor can answer.  You’ll avoid setting up an adversarial position.