In college you will most likely have a roommate at some point, whether it be in a dorm, or your first apartment. Here are some little tips on how to be a good roommate (because it really needs to be said.)
Learn each other’s boundaries. My freshman year, I thought my roommate and I were going to be absolute best friends. However, tension grew when I found out she took a picture of me sleeping and showed it to our mutuals. This absolutely infuriated me, because I am very sensitive about my skin and obviously did not have make up on. I also didn’t find out about the picture because she showed it to me - I found out from the aforementioned mutual friends. The tension was palpable for a week until she moved out. I never got another roommate and had the entire room to myself. Bottom line: I felt uncomfortable in my own dorm because of her actions.
Be respectful of the other’s schedule. Is your roommate a night person or morning person? For me, I am definitely a night person. In my dorm, I would make sure that lights were out so that my roommate could get a good night’s sleep before her morning classes. Also, be mindful that your phone alarm will probably also wake up your roommate. They may be able to go back to sleep, but if you are constantly hitting the snooze button, this will probably disturb them IMMENSELY.
Be respectful of the other’s space. For me, this means don’t have people over when your roommate is really trying to study quietly, don’t blast music in the mornings when you know your roommate is sleeping off an all-nighter, etc. Do NOT lock your roommate out of a shared dwelling when you have a friend ;) over for activities not school-related. The sock on the door thing is not a thing, don’t do that to someone. Also, not slamming doors, even if you aren’t intending to slam them.
Don’t make decisions about your shared space without consenting your roommate first. This means decorating, having a party, etc. For decorating especially - remember that your taste is not always your roommates taste and you want to involve them so that you can each feel at home!
Share responsibilities. Taking out the trash is a big one. Be upfront about delving out chores so that there is no “ok, I’ve taken out the trash like 7 times in a row.”
Keep it clean. Dirty dishes in the sink, trash on counter tops, not cleaning up after yourself after you cook, not unloading the dishwasher, leaving clothes in the washer/dryer, leaving stinky shoes in the common area, etc. can come across as majorly disrespectful. Be mindful that while you might not mind a little clutter, your roommate might like things kept clean and orderly.
Establish what is communal and what is personal. Will you be sharing dishes? Food? Cleaning products? Establish those boundaries ASAP so as to avoid the “dude, why are you using my laundry detergent?!” conversation. Have the who is bringing what necessity the day you agree to live together!
Return borrowed items in a better condition in which you took them! Actually, this goes for all walks of life.
Establish house rules. When are quiet hours? What will the AC be set at to ensure that all roommates are comfortable? Who will do laundry when? If you share a bathroom - who will shower when?
Do little things to be nice! The two roommates I had in my first apartment and I would spontaneously leave cookies out for all to enjoy, or purchase an assortment of treats for holidays! We would also bring in each other’s mail, leave little notes (even though we weren’t that close and hardly saw one another - literally never knew if they were home or not), etc. They were the best roommates ever! I loved living with them. Not that I don’t love living with my best friend now! But if you are living with basically complete strangers, do your best to develop a good, amicable relationship.
Hope these little tips make your living situation during your collegiate career go smoothly! Happy studying, realistic students!
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