If you’re a rising junior or sophomore and had a tough time in the lottery but consoled yourself by thinking of how easy it’ll be as a rising senior think the fuck again.

Friday, March 29th: Might as well be Friday the 13th with my fucking luck.

[2:37 pm] I get an email from Res Life with my lottery number as I am in the middle of a Stained Glass workshop at the Design Center—I was having such a great time! Happiness never lasts though. My dread while opening the email soon consolidated into shock/rage/dismay as I saw that I got number 131??!?!! I didn’t even know so many rising seniors were going on the 123 lottery??

Number 132, I can only imagine what you’re feeling.

[8:09 pm] I decide to journal my experience with the lottery as I am waiting for CMTS’ Footloose to start—btw great show guys I love Footloose and I loved your rendition of it. They say you should make art out of your feelings and I’m certainly feeling a hell lot of feelings (derogatory) about this housing lottery business.

Saturday, March 30th: Panic has really set in now.

[11:04 am] I resolve to start a comprehensive list of what I’m willing to sacrifice. I just realized that I’m not even picking on Monday (the first day). What the fuck guys I have better chances of winning the actual fucking lottery at this point. I’ll be lucky if I can get a shafted triple that you have to share with mice.

Okay, I should clarify that I would like to get a single in 616 (just cause my friends will live there ig? At this point in the race (college) it’s all just for vibes tbh).

Sunday, March 31st: I guess I’m stressed with other stuff because I manage not to think about the lottery too much.

[4:45 pm] Oh wait! I check the spreadsheet from last year’s lottery just to make sure that my doom is as certain as I’ve predicted. Indeed, the last number that got a single in 616 last year was number 120. But guyyyys that’s before my number!!

Monday, April 1st: How appropriate that the 123 lottery should start on April’s Fools. The joke’s on all of us.

[2:06 am] Maybe I’ll be fine??? Maybe some people will sleep through their choosing time (not that I wish that upon anyone) or maybe everyone will choose doubles and all the doubles will be gone first because we all know we as a class year love sharing #BC‘25.

[10:40 am] I check the spreadsheet and I want to throw up. Why is it that every time it updates it feels like I’m waiting to see if my name is called to be part of the 74th Hunger Games?

[1:23 pm] Not all is lost?

[8:18 pm] I may have a chance still you guys I just saw the spreadsheet of how we’re standing. Sulz Tower is gone which like yeah… The last ones in the race are Hewitt, Elliott, and Plimpton. Oh oh oh something you should know is that I really don’t want a corridor-style one—I’d like to have privacy in the bathroom thank you!

Do I acknowledge that my number is not the worst and that rising juniors and sophomores are having an even harder time? Yes… but also the whole point is that the gods promised me that it would get better with time and it just hasn’t. And you know what that means?? That the problem is not, in fact, my lack of luck, but the fucking system!! I know… what a novelty idea I’m a genius. But seriously hello Barnard ResLife?? Do you not see the flaws and the discontent of all your students ??

Tuesday, April 2nd: Buckle up my friends today is the fucking day.

[10:15 am] There are five 616 singles left and seven people ahead of me ahhhhhhh.

[10:49 am] Okay I got the single, sob.

I want to disclaim that just because I did actually get a single in 616 (barely) it doesn’t mean I hate the Barnard housing lottery any less. On a serious note, the very flawed housing options we get are not worth the stress and pain that they put us through every single year with this fuck ass system. I have literally cried over the housing lottery every single year because let’s be honest: the place where you’ll spend all of the time you’re not in class matters! I can only say I’m glad this was the last time I had to do this. But if you have to go through this again, good luck to you buddy! Someone please start a petition to change the lottery system—I will sign anything!

Lottery via Flickr