I am not a perfect roommate/housemate, and I'm pretty sure each and every one of us -- especially college students -- have heard or said the words, "I don't like my roommate." Whether it is cleaning up or being obnoxiously noisy, I feel like there is always something to complain about. No roommate/housemate is perfect. Here are some of the struggles I commonly hear and talk about regarding the issue:
1. "Did you take the trash out?"
I’ve never really had a real “Take-Out-The-Trash” schedule. My current and previous roommates/housemates just do it whenever we can -- which hasn’t been much of a problem. The only trash problem I encountered is:
a. In the dorms -- when someone throws food in the trash bin and it starts to smell.
b. In a house -- when trash starts piling up.
2. Hair all over the bathroom.
As girls, we tend to shed hair when we shower, brush our hair, use a hair straightener, etc. I have learned to gather my hair in one place and throw it in the trash. Last year, my roommate would leave a copious amount of hair in our sink. It gets pretty disgusting. (I love her to death though.)
3. Needing the restroom, but it's currently in use.
Not going to lie, I have the smallest bladder ever. I feel like I need to pee every 10 minutes. One night -- it was actually early in the morning at like 4:00 a.m. -- I woke up needing to use the restroom and I suddenly hear my housemate showering. Luckily, we had another bathroom downstairs (but that flight of stairs in the early morning is not fun).
4. Loud noises while sleeping/studying.
During my spring semester of freshman year, I started classes late while my roommate started super early in the morning. Since my classes did not start until noon, I tried to sleep in as much as I can. However, I would always hear our door getting shut loudly or constant thumping noises that would wake me up. It was even worse for me, because I was such a light sleeper.
5. Mess/dirt/dust everywhere.
Since I moved in to my new house with my new housemates, I would leave cute little notes like “Please clean the stove after using,” or “Make sure to clean the dryer vent thing.” I am not a very clean person, but seeing dust or dirt in the house bothers me enough that I eventually end up cleaning it. Shoes would also be piled up everywhere and not even on the provided shoe rack.
6. When they borrow something from you and never clean it/put it back.
One time, my roommate “borrowed” (without asking) two of my mugs so that she and her friend could drink hot chocolate. I was already peeved that she did not ask for my permission, but I was more peeved that she left it near the sink unwashed for two days.
7. When they bring/invite people over late at night.
To be honest, I have done this a couple times and I feel like such a hypocrite writing about it. I sincerely apologized for being loud, though. But I know this is a struggle and a half.
8. Running out of supplies (toilet paper, dish-washing liquid, detergent, etc.).
When supplies run out, it’s usually a waiting game on whoever breaks to buy the next batch. It’s even worse when you really need the supplies and you’re out. I have gotten to the point where I would take a bunch of napkins from Chipotle or Panda Express to use for the house.
9. Castle of dirty dishes.
Having a pile of dirty dishes in the sink is the worst, especially when you don’t know who to blame for it. Usually, once the dishes are washed, the next thing you know new dishes have piled up. It gets pretty irritating. This is how much we currently have at the moment.
