Starting university can be a really overwhelming experience. Living on your own in a new place, not knowing anyone… Thankfully, university accommodation gives you an opportunity to make friends, sometimes as soon as you step foot into your new flat. Some people might immediately click with each other, but, for those who don’t, here are three tips on how to get along with your new flatmates:
1. Don’t be scared to introduce yourself
Introductions are essential to creating meaningful relationships. Be it by knocking on someone’s door, keeping yours open so others can come say hi or just initiating small talk in the kitchen, conversation couldn’t be easier during those first few days. While you might feel nervous talking to strangers, you have to remember that everyone is on the same boat and wants to meet new people as much as you do. So don’t be afraid to ask your flatmates what they’re studying or where they’re from. You’ll be surprised how a small conversation starter can easily develop into something greater!
2. Create a group chat and a cleaning rota as soon as possible
From my experience, the main cause of tension and arguments between flatmates can often be attributed to miscommunication, especially when it comes to who was supposed to take out the trash that week. To avoid, or at least greatly reduce, the chance of these conflicts occurring, try to create a group chat with all your flatmates as soon as possible. Establish a cleaning rota that everyone’s happy (and willing!) to follow and post it in the group chat or put it somewhere visible in the kitchen/common room to ensure it is not easily forgotten. Similarly, communicating clearly and setting some ground rules, such as not playing loud music late at night or telling people before inviting a group of friends over, can make a huge difference between enjoying or hating to spend time at your flat. Showing respect goes a long way in maintaining good relationships.
3. Spend time together as a flat
Don’t use your group chat just when you need something or have a question. If you want to really get along and become friends with your flatmates, you need to get to know them beyond the one-minute exchanges you have while heating up food in the microwave. Try to set aside time to spend just you guys as a flat. It can be something as simple as enjoying takeaway while chatting, cooking a meal together, or playing a board game. There’s no need to do anything super complicated or even step outside of your accommodation if you don’t want to! Just make the effort and you will soon notice how friendships quickly start to form.
At the end of the day, your flat is going to be a place you spend much of your time at and thus your flatmates might be the people you see most in your first year of university.
Consequently, trying to make an effort to get along well with them might go a long way in helping you form meaningful friendships. You won’t know if you have shared interests or compatible personalities unless you talk to them, so you might as well just say hi!