Everyone knows about the residence halls’ quiet hours.
During the week, they start at 11 p.m., and on the weekend at 1 a.m., as most college students are up later on the weekend. Let’s be honest, it’s not uncommon to have a noise complaint or two each week. What about the weekend though?
One thing I find extremely frustrating and hypocritical are people who complain about the noise during the week but think they can be as loud as they want all weekend. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been hanging out in a friend’s room laughing or talking, sometimes even before quiet hours, and have had a complaint. What really makes me angry is that it’s usually a rather rude, personal confrontation. Still, my friends and I respectfully tone it down, even if quiet hours haven’t begun. What really gets me is when the same people complaining about my mild clamor decide they can be as loud as they want on the weekends until all hours of the night, well beyond weekend quiet hours.
I’ve had various friends who have also experienced this frustration. They’ve been kept up until 4 and 5 a.m. while the people above and next to them have no regard for their fellow living mates. So sure, it’s the weekend, but not all of us stay up all night partying. Some of us still value our sleep, and it’s unfair that respecting others only applies to the week for some.
I’m not saying all noise is rude and intentional. Sometimes you just get carried away when you’re having fun. I get it. I’ve done it.
It is important to consider those around us though. Maybe it’s not just because they’re an “early to bed, early to rise” type of person. Maybe they aren’t feeling well, or have something important to wake up for on the weekend. Whatever the scenario, the issue is this: respect.
At the very least, if you’re going to complain about people being loud during the week when you’re all cozy in your bed at 9 p.m.—catching up from your wild, sleepless weekend—then keep the party at the party and respect those in the residence halls. n