Roommate Survival 101

Everyone has a different experience with their roommate. Some become the best of friends, while the less fortunate struggle to make the through the first semester together. But no matter your circumstance, you guys are bound to get into a disagreement or two somewhere down the road.

                I was lucky enough to get along beautifully with my first roommate; Marissa and I have lived together for 3 years. But even we have had our ups and downs. Here are a few general guidelines to follow:

·      Be respectful. Remember the golden rule from kindergarten? Treat others as you wish to be treated? Yeah, that’s the golden rule of any good roomie relationship. If you don’t want your roommate’s stuff strewn across the room, keep your things neat (or at least confined).

·      Talk it out. If something your roommate does is bothering you, tell them! Maybe they make a ruckus in the morning or keep the TV up too loud when you’re trying to study. Chances are some of your antics are bugging them too, so if you approach the conversation politely and calmly, you two can discuss what is and isn’t working.

·      Privacy is important. There will come a time when one of you would like the room to yourself for a while. Instead of locking the door on your roommate at 2 a.m., make sure it’s okay. Help him/her find a place to stay for the night. Talk it over first. Again, the golden rule. If you treat the situation properly, they’ll remember that the next time they want some private time.

·      Spend time apart. Marissa and I are very close. But it wouldn’t have worked out that way if we didn’t have our time apart. Find other people to hang out with. Do your homework in the library. If you spend the day away from your living buddy, you’ll be much more excited to see them when you get home and feel less suffocated by their presence.

·      Get to know each other! Most roommate relationships fail due to lack of communication and failure to bond with one another. What kind of music does your roommate like? What do you guys have in common? Just talking to your roommate will help you guys get to know each other. Even if you don’t end up being the best of friends, it’s still important to get along with the person you live with.

And lastly, just remember to have fun! No one wants to dread going back to their room at the end of a long day. Sure, you can always get a new roommate. But who knows? You could be missing out on the opportunity for a lifelong friendship.