By Faith Flynn
Roommates, whether you’ve known them before moving in together, or are drop-ins from a craigslist ad, always end up being somewhat of a wildcard. Often, things can turn sour and you’re left in an uncomfortable position. Luckily, if that turns out to be the case, there are a few things you can do to improve the situation.
1. Invest in a pair of headphones
Let’s get the obvious solution out of the way first. Whether its a solid set of Beats, or a thirty dollar pair from the CVS down the street, headphones are always a go to when dealing with irritating roommates. The louder the volume, the less annoying they’ll seem.
Image Courtesy of Pinterest
2. Join a club
This may seem like an odd suggestion, but hear me out. Signing up for a club gives you an excuse to get out of the house more, as well as surround yourself with potential friends and dip into some new college experiences. It’s a win-win on all sides.
Image via Cardiff University
3. Find YOUR spot
Whether it’s the beanbag chair in your living room, the common area of a building on campus, or a park somewhere in the city, finding a place solely dedicated to unwinding and becoming in touch with your inner zen is key. If you ever find yourself pushed to the edge by your living situation, make this your go to place de-stress. Plus, it’s prime for a little study time.
Image via Stocksy United
4. Try a new hobby
Finding a distracting activity, a hobby you can lose all sense of time in, can be such a helpful tool. For example, try learning a new language or take up painting. Can’t pay much attention to the clamor of your roommates when there’s an unfinished masterpiece calling your name.
Image via Thought Co
5. Talk to them
If you’ve noticed somewhat of a running theme, congrats, you’ve got a good eye. Most of these suggestions are centered around escaping in some fashion, whether in a physical or mental way. But sometimes, at the end of the day, it’s easier to just face the issue head on. Roommate being messy? Talk to her. Is one of the girls too loud in the morning? Let her know. People can’t fix a problem they don’t know exists so don’t be afraid to talk it out.