Living with other people is really difficult sometimes. There's a lot to learn when it comes to living in a dorm, and one of these things is learning how to live with others. I have compiled a list of ways to be respectful towards others and how to not be "that person."
1. Kitchen
Do: Run the disposal
Don't: Leave dirty dishes in the kitchen for an extended period of time
Do: Clean sponges by boiling them or putting them in the dishwasher, and switch them out regularly so as not to spread bacteria (sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria)
Don't: Use what isn't yours without permission
Do: Unplug the toaster when not in use to save electricity
Don't: Steal someone's colander and never return it (still salty)
2. Bathroom
Do: Clean up any water around the sink
Don't: Put food in the bathroom sink
3. Rooms
Do: Use headphones while Netflixing if your roommate is doing homework or sleeping
Don't: Install spring-loaded mattresses to get your roommate out of bed in the morning
4. Common spaces
Do: Respect others' property
Don't: Leave your stuff out indefinitely
5. Music
Do: Feel free to listen to music
Don't: Believe that everyone wants to hear your music
6. Quiet hours
Do: Respect quiet hours and courtesy hours
Don't: Get defensive and mad when someone tells you that you're being too loud
7. Laundry
Do: Set a timer for laundry
Don't: Disrespect others' laundry (i.e. putting it on the floor, transferring it to the dryer and starting it)
Do: Clean out lint screen in the dryer
Don't: Fold others' laundry
8. Shower
Do: Remove used bandages from the shower
Don't: Play shower music so loudly that people can hear it in their room with their door closed
9. Food
Do: Clean out communal fridge by discarding expired foods
Don't: Eat food that belongs to other people
10. Study spaces
Do: Use study spaces to your advantage
Don't: Ruin this advantage for others by being too loud
11. Parking
Do: Park well so others have room to park
Don't: Drive fast near pedestrians
Nobody's perfect, but it's important to consider how you're affecting others when living in a communal space. The most important thing is to be respectful of others and their property.
