How To Survive Dorm Life | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

How To Survive Dorm Life

I have a few tips you can use to avoid unnecessary drama with your roommates.

113
How To Survive Dorm Life
Odyssey

If you are planning on going away to college, there is a pretty good chance that you will live in a dorm on campus. Before I went off to school, I was nervous about moving on campus—not because of all the homework I would have to do or hard professors I would have to deal with, but because I felt like I wouldn't have a good experience with my roommate. In my head, I just knew that my roommate would be some crazy girl who was loud, dirty and just horrible to live with. Thankfully, my roommate was nothing like what I expected, and we have continued to get along great. In fact, I am very close with all the people who live in my suite, and I have a few tips you can use to avoid unnecessary drama with your roommates.

1. Be nice.

It's a basic and obvious tip, but being nice can actually get you a long way. I'm not saying you have to be best friends, but you should at least be cordial with your suitemates since you will be living with them (and they know where you sleep). A simple "Good morning" or "How are you?" is always a good start. You never know when you're going to need them so it is very important that you treat them well.

2. Cleaning is the key to success.

I don't know about you, but I cannot live in filth. Chances are your suitemates will feel the same way. You don't want to be the only one who doesn't pitch in when it's time to clean up because that might turn into a big problem. I recommend that you and your roommates create a schedule for who cleans what in the bathroom and common area so there is no confusion. A schedule helps to avoid the same people cleaning the same thing all the time. Happy cleaning!

3. Don't touch anything that doesn't belong to you.

This is another common sense tip, but I felt the need to point it out because there are people that seem to forget that stealing is not acceptable. Using someone one else's stuff without asking is also a big problem. If you follow my first tip, you should have a good enough relationship with your roommates that you could ask for whatever it is that you want or need from them. Also, remember that just because they let you use something once doesn't mean that you never have to ask to use their stuff again; ask every time you want to borrow something. You don't want to be known for having sticky fingers because it will not end well for you.

4. Do not gossip.

Gossiping is always messy, but it's even worse when you're talking about someone who lives two doors down from you. Whether your suitemate overhears you or the person you were talking to, the gossiping begins. If you have a problem with someone in your suite, you should address the person directly, not with everyone else in the suite. Also, you can contact your RA or floor supervisor and set a formal meeting. Adding more people into the situation just causes more drama so having a one-on-one with the person you're having issues with is the best way to go.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

134738
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

31621
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28941
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments