Student rooms are one of the most intimate spaces for Korea University (KU) students to spend their free time. Although they are not well equipped, student rooms are places where memories are created, as many students freely sleep, study, eat, or even stay up all night before exams. In this April issue, The Granite Tower (GT) aims to share the diverse stories filled in each student room by interviewing four students from different departments. Whether one’s experience of using the student room was good or bad, eventually all KU students “see eye to eye” on the significance of their student rooms.
Bae Han-jun ('22, Japanese Language and Literature)
Last year, I literally lived in the student room as a freshman. My most memorable experience in the student room was watching the 2022 World Cup. Originally, we did not have a beam projector in the student room, but my friends and I gathered some money to buy and install one before the World Cup. That specific moment of cheering until dawn I spent with my friends was such a precious experience that I never would have had without a student room. I will never forget the thrill I experienced when South Korea once faced a dramatic victory. That day, we immediately fell asleep on the sofa of our student room after cheering passionately. It was so fun! Though I’m not a freshman anymore, I think I will still be using the student room often this year as well.
Park Sang Jung ('22, Division of International Studies)
When I was a freshman last year, I often visited the student room between classes or after all my classes were over. Every time I visited the student room, I could easily meet seniors and my friends. We shared our daily lives and had fun. The student room became a place where I could meet my friends without making any appointments. But since I am no longer a freshman, it will be hard to go to the student room as often as I did before, and my friends will not come here as often, either. I guess the student room will now belong to students from the class of 2023. It is sad that I am getting older. But I hope I can visit the student room from time to time and make good memories with juniors!
Lee Sang-jun ('21, Chemical and Biological Engineering)
When I used to be a freshman, I rarely visited the student room because it was derelict and in a very bad condition. It used to have an unflattering green wall, overfilled trash cans, old lights, and tables with legs that would often fall apart. Thus, the student room was mostly used by student council members for drinking and resting after class, and I would occasionally visit it. Funnily, the room was both remodeled and renovated during the second semester of my second year. Even though I was curious and wanted to use the room for studying, I soon realized I was a sophomore, so I gave freshmen the opportunity of using it to study, create good memories, and make new friends. Remember, thoughtfulness, combined with consideration, still makes a difference for others.
Shin Sang-jun ('22, Industrial Management Engineering)
The student room is a cozy space for me. The first day I visited it, I met my bbeonseon and had a drinking party with colleagues and seniors I had never seen before. At first glance, the student room looked overall old and cramped, but I came to consider it as our department’s hideout. Thus, I used the student room as a lounge, did assignments with my friends, and also took breaks. Personally, our student room is a charming place as students can take off their shoes and sit on the floor, and even lie down freely.
