It's the new school year and not only do you have new classes, new professors, or a new dorm but you have a new roommate you have to learn to live with. Adjustment is different for everyone and can take longer for some people, but that's okay. Whether you are living with a best friend, close friend or someone random you need to learn to adjust to their living situation too. This can mean that you may feel uncomfortable changing in front of them, figuring out when you both shower, when you like to wake up or go to bed, where you like to study and how much time you need, personal time and space, and maybe if you will share a fridge and microwave. It can be stressful and difficult the first week especially if you're a freshman or you have been living in a single room.
But as someone who has lived with other people in dorms for seven years, I know some tips that I hope you find helpful...
1. Get to know your roommate
I know this sounds cliche but the only way to get to be able to work with them is being able to know who they are and their likes and dislikes. Talk about what your study is, where you're from, what you like to do in your free time and things like that.
2. You don't need to be their best friend
Most people think that when you live with someone they automatically become your best friend which is not exactly the case at all. When you start to meet people you'll actually find your best friend. You might spend maybe the first week going to the cafe or school events together until you find other people. But this doesn't mean you should ignore them either.
3. Compromise and at least try to work things out
Every roommate has a fight, argument, or disagreement once and a while but it doesn't mean it's over. Try and talk it out and be honest about the way you feel, you can always go to your CA (or at least that's what they are called at my school). Compromise is key to living with another person.
4. Please please please do not take their food
Unless you both had an agreement of what's mine is yours or you ask and they say yes, do not think that just because you're living with them means you can eat their food. Trust me when they find out you are the one taking all their cookies or ramen they will not be happy with you.
5. Be sensitive and understanding
Whether one of you caught the flu, on your month, or isn't feeling good remember to be sensitive. I'm not saying to go buy them a care package or something. But maybe don't bring your friends into your room at the time and instead go outside or your friend's room. Don't blast your music, talk loudly on the phone or anything distracting.
6. Ask them first!
If someone wants to see your room or come in, text or notify them ahead of time to see if they are okay with it. Yes, it is your room too but that doesn't mean you can do anything you want and bring whoever you want in. Especially if a guy is involved, you don't know if your roommate may have an issue with them that you're unaware of. During the evening or night too, they may want to go to bed early for a morning class odds are they may not be okay with you bringing a friend over at 11 at night.
7. Try and have fun :)
Make sure that you both have fun, maybe a bonding movie night or have a day you put up cute room decor or christmas lights. Learning and adjusting to living with a stranger shouldn't be stressful, heck you may even become friends and room together in the future...maybe not but you never know.
