Maintaining a good relationship with your roommate(s) is vital to a stress-free dorm experience. Hostility in your dorm room makes for an uncomfortable living situation for every occupant. Figuring out when you will have alone time, ensuring that your space is clean and communicating effectively will make your time in the dorms run more smoothly!
1. Be respectful of the fact that you are sharing a space with other people.
You don’t have the room to yourself, so remember to keep noise levels down to a minimum and to keep your spaces clean. You are responsible for making sure your side of your bedroom is clean, and you should also lend a hand with cleaning up any shared spaces such as living rooms. When listening to music, wear headphones. Put your phone on silent or vibrate when your roommate is asleep. Hopefully, your roommate(s) return the favor.
2. Combine everyone’s classes and club meetings into one schedule.
This will allow everyone in your room to see who will have the room to themselves and when. Additionally, this will show your roommates when everyone will be together.
3. Need some alone time?
Don’t put a sock on the door, it’s too obvious. It also doesn’t give your roommates a heads up that you need the room to yourself. Instead, shoot your roommates a text explaining your situation to them and ask them for a warning if they need to come in.
4. You can probably trust your roommate(s), but why take risks?
Lock up your valuables and don’t leave money lying around.
5. If something should go wrong, or if anything needs to be discussed, communicate with assertiveness.
This is probably the most important tip on this list. A good formula to use in order to avoid drama would be the following: “I’m feeling ______ because ______. I want/need __________. Can we work on this together?” Avoid using accusatory statements- a good rule of thumb is to word things by saying, “I feel like this is happening,” instead of, “You’re doing xyz.” Always try to work things out with your roommate before going to an RA.
6. Make sure you tell your roommate(s) ahead of time what you are comfortable and uncomfortable with.
How will they know what will set you off if you don’t tell them? No one can read minds.
7. Establish what will be shared and what will not be.
Can your roommate(s) use your TV, but not your laptop? Let them know.
8. A little bit of roommate bonding never hurt anyone, but don’t overdo it.
You will probably develop your own circles of friends, and so will your roommate(s). You’re already living with your roommate(s); you don’t need to hang out with them 24/7!
9. Locate places on campus where you can study in case your room is overly-occupied or otherwise unavailable.
Check out any study halls, the library, a campus café, the student union, or even a quiet place outside.
10. You probably won’t become best friends with your roommate(s), but that doesn’t mean you have to be their worst enemy either.
There is rarely a time when you don’t get to choose the people you interact with. Fortunately and unfortunately, this is one of those times. Make the best of it and have a great year!
