Throughout the semester, your roommate will be there, right by your side. Sharing a residence hall room with another person has its challenges, but is quintessential in college living. Your roommate may not grow to be your best friend, but it’s important to establish a good, communicative relationship in order to have a healthy roommate situation.
Write a roommate agreement. At the thought of writing a roommate agreement as a first year student, I rolled my eyes. Now, I realize how important it truly was in establishing some ground rules. How many people are allowed over on a school night? What time will be “quiet hours?” Without these rules, disagreements are inevitable and will continue throughout your time living with one another. Establishing some rules that both of you can agree on is very important in creating a healthy roommate situation.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Aretha Franklin? Anyone? As Aretha sings, “All I’m asking is for a little respect.” Fitting for living with roommates, right? Being respectful of your roommates is the best way to receive some respect back from them. Knowing your roommate’s preferences and following through to make sure their respects are met is an ideal, healthy roommate situation.
Address problems ASAP. If something comes up that is affecting your well-being, address it. If music is playing too loud while you’re trying to study or friends are being invited over at midnight on a school night, address it. Letting problems continue will only allow them to keep happening. Properly addressing the problem and saying something will ensure your time at college is well spent. Sometimes it’s hard to address problems in a roommate situation because they may seem confrontational, but kindly addressing problems you are facing will ensure the most seamless semester yet.
Stay open to change. As this college season progresses, know that your environment will not be the same as it was in high school. You and your roommate are both navigating a new time in life, so staying open to change is important. Keeping lines of communication open with your roommate is essential is creating a healthy roommate situation.
Following some key principles of communication and respect will ensure your semester is the best one yet, even if that means sharing your space with a roommate. Creating a roommate agreement is essential in creating the best roommate situation yet.
