College is a time of exploring, dreaming, and self discovery. In college, you often learn more lessons outside of the classroom than you do in it. One of those lessons is how to live and deal with a roommate.
I, like thousands of other college students across the country, chose the random roommate option and let my school assign me someone to live with. I have had friends who did the same thing and ended up with the best roommate, but I have more friends who, like me, ended up with a roommate who wasn’t so great.
So for those who are following the random roommate path, here are some roommate horror stories, and how you can deal with them/avoid them happening all together.
Photo Credit: http://theodysseyonline.com/author/kendallholley
“My roommate will lock herself in the bathroom for hours and won’t let me use it if I need to. I have to use the bathroom in our dinning hall.”
With situations like this, communication often works best. I find it very difficult to confront my roommate, but when I do, problems always get solved. If you talk to your roommate and they still don’t listen, take it to the R.A. They are here to help you.
“One of my roommates melted a hole in my Tupperware, and then put it back in the cabinet like nothing happened. I didn’t notice until it was too late.”
At the beginning of the year, sit down with your roommate and establish what you guys are willing to share with each other, and then establish rules with those items. For example, if cookware is something you guys are sharing, set the rules that whoever uses it cleans it, and that if anything happens to it, tell the other person. This may seem a little overboard, but when your roommate burns a hole in your Tupperware and then doesn’t tell you, you will wish some ground rules had been established.
“My roommate moved her boyfriend in for three months without telling me until we agreed to live together. They fought all of the time.”
Again, communication is key. Sit down with your roommate and talk with them about the problems you are having. If they are a decent person, they will listen to what you have to say and make a change. Keeping these frustrations bottled up can lead to major problems down the road.
“My roommate will talk on the phone for hours, and at the worst times of the day. When I am studying, or doing homework, or trying to sleep, she is on the phone. I can’t focus or sleep.”
If your roommate is keeping you from your studies, either ask them to leave for an hour or two, or get up and find another spot to study in. I find that I get more done when I go to the library or sit outside than I do if I am in my room. If they won’t let you sleep, talk to them about it, or buy some earplugs if that doesn’t work.
“My roommate forgets to flush, they rarely take out the garbage, and they leave their things all over the shower!”
That’s just nasty. Always flush the toilet and pick up after yourselves. If your roommate is constantly leaving messes, ask them politely to clean it up, and if they don’t, don’t clean up after them. I know that’s petty but it works. They will be tired of living in filth so they will clean up their mess.
I am no expert on how to live with a roommate, but from my experiences and listening to others tell me their stories, I can tell you that living with anyone is going to be an interesting journey. Sometimes things will be amazing, and other times, not so much. I hope the stories and advice helps with any problems that might arise in the future. Remember, living with someone is not all bad, and there is a chance you will walk away at the end of the year with a new best friend. So keep calm, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
HCXOXO
Emily Bowers