Kyle Gagne, St. Lawrence University ’20
As we all know, going to college presents many new experiences; we are often put into situations that we are not used to, whether that be in the social, academic, or residential areas of our university life. With a heavy focus on how girls transition into college, we sometimes forget that guys are going through just as many changes at the same time. One aspect that can be overlooked at a liberal arts college with co-ed dorms, such as at St. Lawrence, is that there are many male students who have never lived in close quarters alongside girls. These times can prove to be pretty eye-opening for them, and First Year student Kyle Gagne (‘20) describes what such changes are like.
What made you most excited about coming to SLU?
I was excited to come here to play on the Men’s Lacrosse team and I was looking forward to making new friends outside of my hometown in Longmeadow, MA. I’m hoping to major in Government and possibly minor in Sociology. One day I would like to become a State Trooper in the state of Massachusetts, and I know that the connections I make here at SLU will help me to achieve my goals in the future.
What changes were you nervous about encountering?
I was nervous about not having my mom’s cooking and having to do my own laundry, but other than that, I was really looking forward to my new life at college.
Coming from a home with all brothers, would you say that your living habits have remained the same or have changed now that you live on a floor surrounded by girls?
I’ve learned that as a guy, I have to be a lot more conscious about what I say and how I act. I have realized that there are certain things that just aren’t okay to do, especially around girls. This includes stuff I was used to doing at home, such as not wearing a shirt around or leaving my smelly lacrosse gear all over the place. Those habits died hard.
What do you think has been the best, and worst, aspects of living with girls for the first time? Are there any specific moments that stand out to you?
I would say that the worst thing has been when the girls on my floor complain about me and my roommate’s loud music all the time, but I’d say that there has been mostly good things. I like to listen to the girl’s point of views on certain topics because I never had a sister around to ask, and having girls live so close to me offers a different perspective that I never considered before. It was a little weird at first seeing them walk to and from the showers in towels, but I got over it. I don’t mind helping them out with stuff like moving furniture or killing the occasional bug, and, on the other hand, it wasn’t too bad sitting in on the girls’ viewing of this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show…
Do you have any tips for incoming college freshmen guys who have never lived with girls before?
Don’t be nervous, girls don’t bite! Having co-ed floors is a lot of fun, and you will learn a lot about yourself and any personal living habits that you weren’t aware of before college. Just remember: it’s always better to have girls on your good side.
(Photo taken by Colby Hoffman)