{"id":743,"date":"2015-09-25T20:38:53","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T20:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/dome\/?p=743"},"modified":"2017-10-09T12:27:18","modified_gmt":"2017-10-09T17:27:18","slug":"tips-for-living-with-college-roommates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/celtadmissionsblog\/freshmen\/tips-for-living-with-college-roommates\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Living with College Roommates"},"content":{"rendered":"

College brings us a set of new challenges: The \u201cFreshman 15,\u201d learning effective study habits and much more. But what about roommates?<\/p>\n

\"RoommatesLiving with a roommate in college can have its challenges, but there are some easy ways to avoid conflict and set ground rules so transitioning to living in a shared space can go more smoothly.<\/p>\n

My first time living away from home was also the first time I ever had to share a room with anyone. Believe me, it was an adjustment to say the least. Four years and three roommates later, I can say I not only survived, but I made some lifelong friends along the way.<\/p>\n

So here \u2018s some college roommate advice and my top 10 tips for living with a new roommate, and perhaps finding your next best friend.<\/p>\n

Tip #1: Be honest with your roommate about what you like and don\u2019t like from the start<\/strong><\/p>\n

Honesty about likes and dislikes is key; it will help you avoid conflict. Are you a neat freak? Do you hate it when people hit the snooze button more than once? Consider a college roommate contract and be up front about what your expectations are so that they can be established from the beginning. This can help avoid roommate conflicts and keep things from escalating several weeks into the semester.<\/p>\n

Tip #2: Establish a cleaning plan with your roommate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Talk about what a clean room looks like to both of you and how you plan to make that happen. Maybe you don\u2019t mind a pile of clothes in the corner or food left out overnight, but it\u2019s important to have a plan on what is considered clean. You don\u2019t want to be left constantly cleaning up a roommate\u2019s mess or vice versa, so set up a cleaning plan and be respectful of it.<\/p>\n

Tip #3: Set ground rules for having friends over<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who can come over? What times are ok for you to have guests? Are you ok with overnight guests? All of these are important questions to consider and address. Be mindful of their preferences to avoid roommate issues in college. If you like to study in big groups and they don\u2019t consider alternating who has the room certain days or times so that you can both enjoy and respect your shared space in a way that suits both your needs.<\/p>\n

Tip #4: Talk about sleep and study habits<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"StudentIt is possible that you and your roommate will have opposite sleep and study habits. How will you respect each other\u2019s habits while still being able to do your own thing? Consider making a schedule weekly or bi-weekly so that if one person has an important test and wants the room to study or to go to bed early you know ahead of time and can respect each other\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

Tip #5: Respect your roommate\u2019s belongings\u2026and vice versa <\/strong><\/p>\n

While you may be ok with sharing everything, your roommate may not feel the same. Is your closet their closet? Is it cool if they borrow something and don\u2019t immediately return it? Talk about what is ok to share and what is off limits. Something that might not bother you could be a big deal to your roommate. Always talk about what\u2019s cool to borrow, use and share before assuming anything.<\/p>\n

Tip #6: Talk to each other<\/strong><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to be best friends with your college roommate, but you are<\/em> sharing a home with this person. Asking your roommate how his or her day went goes a long way. Who knows, this person may become your next best friend, and it all started from a simple question.<\/p>\n

Tip #7: Address small issues before they become big conflicts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember, little things can turn into big things; you never want to bottle up what\u2019s bothering you. Avoiding conflicts with your college roommate sometimes involves airing the laundry a bit.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you initially thought having friends visit in your shared space wouldn\u2019t bother you, but your feelings have since changed. Or maybe you\u2019re not as big into sharing everything as you initially thought. Instead of waiting to resolve frustrations with your roommate, address them immediately to avoid bigger problems later.<\/p>\n

Tip #8: Discuss how you\u2019d like to resolve conflicts<\/strong><\/p>\n

While you may like face-to-face contact, your roommate may be more comfortable with writing you a letter when conflict arises. Talk about this in advance so you don\u2019t offend each other later. By coming up with a plan to address conflicts with your roomie, you\u2019ll be better able to listen to what is going in calmly and find a simple solution. Living with someone who does things differently than you can be a great learning experience, understand what they are comfortable with and be up front about what you are comfortable with to make it easy for both of you.<\/p>\n

Tip #9: Mind the details\u2026it\u2019s the little things that matter<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Friends<\/p>\n

Maybe you don\u2019t have time to go out with each other often, but one of the things I loved best about my college roommates was the little things we would do for each other: an encouraging note on a test day, making each other\u2019s beds, or getting a cup of coffee to power through a long night of study. Be courteous and remember your roommates are probably in the same boat you are.<\/p>\n

Tip #10: Treat roommates as you want to be treated<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ah, the golden rule. Living with someone you barely know can be a new experience, but as long as you respect each other and establish boundaries, you can make living together a positive experience. Keep and open mind and treat the other person with respect to make the experience as pleasant as possible.<\/p>\n

There are some advantages of living with a roommate, and sharing your space doesn\u2019t have to be a painful experience. Consider these tips when living with a roommate and you are sure to have a positive experience.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget to learn more about living on campus at University of St. Thomas<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Other Helpful Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n