How to Be A Great Roommate

By Courtney King on April 4, 2012

Whether you live in a dorm or in apartment, having a roommate and BEING a roommate can have ups and downs. Here are a few tips to get along with all your roommates, even if you rarely seethem.

1. Clean your space

You don’t have to be a neat freak just more tidy than normal. Lack of time, space, and energy seem to be the ingredients to the acumulation of clutter. Clean dishes and neat settings give breath to a small space. And it looks better! Mom would be proud.

2. Schedule Guest Time

ALWAYS inform your roommate when you are planning to have a guest over. Whether they’re a significant other, family member, or friend your roommate has the right to know who occupies the dorm. Even if you are not close to your roommate(s), this crucial step in building courtesy encourages mutual respect. It also lessens the chance of awkard nude moments and intrusive behavior.

3. Get to know them

Sometimes with hectic class schedules, work, organizations and dating it is easy to forget those around you. Talk to your roommate about their interests, hobbies, life and classes. Invite them out after class to eat or have a movie night watching something you both have never seen. You may have more in common than you believe and become best friends. Even if you don’t end the year with a life-long friendship, remember that you got to know an interesting human being.

4. Don’t talk badly about them behind their back

It’ll make tensions worse and you’ll appear untrustworthy. They live with you; tell them your issues in confidence and resolve them. Conflicts are solved much faster that way. If they are not cooperative or highly confrontational people, talk your RA or landlord for assistance in resolving any issues.

5. Take time to yourself

Sometimes you instantly bond with your roommate(s) and spend every moment with them. You become attached to them in a symbiotic relationship and practically finish each other’s sentences. Too much time together, however, can leave you dependent on their friendship and attention. Take time to be alone, go to the library or have friends over you don’t see often. Go an adventures to shops or sites and feel invigorated as an independent person.

6. Be considerate

Talking loudly on the phone, blasting music, or coming in late at night can become rude habits. Take the time to consider how your actions affect your roommate’s time, space, and sanity. Strawberry and banana smoothies at 4 AM may not be as wonderful as you imagined.

7. Don’t be afraid to lend a helping hand

Offer to help study for exams or bring them food if you notice them running low on their own. However that doesn’t allow them to mooch off of you. Don’t ever let them make you feel bad for not having time or items for them.

8. Understand their differences

Diversity is the spice of life. Understanding what makes you different from your roommate(s) encourages acceptance and broadens your horizon. If there are activities or ideas you don’t like, don’t participate or blindly accept them. Be true to yourself, but also try to be understanding of their differences!

9. Apologize

Saying “I’m sorry” is good medicine for the sickness of a held grudge.  Don’t go to sleep dreaming of the ultimate revenge. Allow yourself and them to move past confrontation and hurt. It’ll leave you feeling at peace and rejuvenated.

 

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