Now that the chaos of move in is over and everyone has settled down, the reality of college life is setting in. After a summer of living at home, having my own room and only with my parents to share the house with, it’s strange to be living with other people again. I just recently moved into a townhouse with ten other girls and at times, it seems daunting to have so many people with different personalities under the same roof; however, it only takes a few habits to ensure peaceful living for all people involved. Whether you’re living with your freshman roommate or in an off campus townhouse, these five tips will make living together a total dream instead of a total nightmare.
1. Be respectful.
It’s critical that you treat others with respect. If you wouldn’t want something done to you, don’t do it to the people you are living with. It’s the golden rule, one that’s been hammer into all of our brains, but it’s often forgotten. Learn to respect your roommate or housemate’s boundaries. If you find out that something you are doing bothers them, make an effort to change the behavior or compromise accordingly. Don’t turn the lights on when they’re trying to sleep. Don’t blast music when they’re trying to study for an exam. Be polite, especially when you’re just getting to know them. You can drop the formalities as time goes on, but it may be helpful to put your good manners to use a little extra in the first few weeks.
2. Be honest.
The only way to let people know how you feel is to tell them. They can’t read your mind, so it’s important to say exactly what you mean. If you have a problem, it’s better to get it out in the open as soon as possible, rather than wait until it builds up. No one wants to have a huge fight, especially one that could have been prevented if everyone was just honest about their feelings. Be sure to voice any early concerns in a respectful way and ask for what you need right from the beginning.
3. Be friendly.
A friendly atmosphere can change the entire feeling of a living space. It may not seem important, but saying hello when you walk into a room or asking about someone’s day can make all the difference. You don’t have to be best friends right away, but it’s rude not to be friendly. Silence can be very off putting and lead to awkwardness and tension where it doesn’t need to be. Even a smile can make you seem more approachable, which will naturally put others at ease.
4. Be understanding.
No one thinks the same way. People come from all different environments and cultures and sometimes, it can be difficult to see eye to eye. The only way to mediate this issue is to try your best to be understanding, even if it’s difficult at first. If you try putting yourself in other people’s shoes, you’ll be surprised by the results. A lot can be learned by changed your perspective.
5. Be optimistic.
While it may seem tough at times, keep a positive attitude. Negativity tends to catch like wildfire, and it will only lead to hostility among roommates/housemates. Of course, problems will naturally arise, but most can easily be worked through. No matter what, stay optimistic. Things can never get better if you give up before you’ve given it a chance. Your housing situation will go smoothly, as long as you’re willing to give your best effort to make it work. Being friends with the people you live with will make your year much more enjoyable, so give it a try and keep a positive outlook whenever you can.
While I understand that not every housing situation will work out due to more extreme circumstances, following these five commandments will allow you to prevent unnecessary tension and discomfort. Two semesters is a long time to have problems with the people you’re living with, so getting off to a good start is imperative. Remember to simply be mindful of others and try to create a positive environment, so that hopefully, you’ll come to love your roommates and housemates, just as I have!
