It doesn’t matter whether you have only-child syndrome and you cringe with just the idea of sharing or if you grew up in a full-house with siblings. The truth is living with roommates says a lot about who you are as a person, and even more about who you’re actually living with. I like to think I am a pro; I’ve lived with five different groups of roommates during my five years of undergrad and here is what I know…
1. Everyone has a different version of “clean”.
2. Each roommate will have a different meaning of the the terms “early morning” and “late nights”.
3. Just because you are the best of friends doesn’t mean you will be the best of roommates.
4. People eat some weird things and at weird hours.
5. Food is not an unmarked free-for-all: asking goes a long way (and so does labelling).
6. There is no simple or easy way to pay the bills. Whether you have a house bank account or you chip in monthly–there’s always something to go awry.
7. There will be times that you just won’t get along.
8. The walls are thin.
9. The house Wi-Fi name is a way to define yourself to your neighbours and a prime opportunity to shed some light on your sense of humour.
10. Passive aggressive post-it notes are not an efficient form of communication (although some are well deserved).
11. Quote walls documenting moments of intoxicated banter and sober word slips are a practical way to execute group bonding.
12. The term “quiet” has a wide array of meanings: some are just naturally loud–and at all hours.
13. An over flowing garbage is not an excuse to stuff it more.
14. Each house has a house mom who is always the most responsible and willing to help out.
15. A full dish rack/dishwasher should be emptied not further stacked.
16. The house thermostat will be the most adjusted setting in the home: you will learn that “hot” and “cold” are subjective terms.
17. Making weird noises and yelling random words as a house is a perfectly normal way to communicate (and an effective way to reduce stress).
18. Nights in as a house with good food, games and/or movies can be just as fun as nights out.
19. If you binge watch the same brain-numbing TV shows you’re not only compatible roommates but potentially suitable BFF’s.
20. Some people are more expressive than others and if they’re in a bad mood everyone will know about it–beware!
21. Sharing is sometimes caring: not everyone understands the value of your things so use discretion when lending things.
22. You can’t function without a house group chat and if you’re actually doing it right no one will ever be referred to as their real names.
23. Pick and choose your battles: not everything is worth the confrontation.
24. Accept that everyone is different and your way is not the only way.