It seems like the ideal scenario: four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common room, even a kitchenette. What could possibly be wrong about the coveted 8-man suite? Just the tiny detail that there are eight people living under one roof! Here’s my guide to surviving 8-man life!
1. Learn to accept that your common living space may never be as clean as you might like.
I’ve quickly learned that people have very different definitions of the word “clean.” Unless you want to be the mother of everyone, you will have to get used to a little messiness. However, when your suite does get to that degree of uncleanliness, you should recognize that it’s time to speak up!
2. Make a cleaning schedule.
From personal experience, practically every Sunday morning 8-man suites look like a bomb went off. Those red cups will add up, the bathroom will begin to look unrecognizable, and the dishes in the sink will begin to pile up quickly. A weekly cleaning schedule keeps you and your roommates in check and keeps the suite looking clean and fresh.
3. Establish rules, before you need them.
It’s important to set guidelines early on about your suite’s policy on borrowing clothes, eating each other’s food, study hours, and bedtimes. Setting down these rules before an incident happens is a much better idea. You’ll thank me later.
4. Address things when they’re little.
If your roommates are doing something that bugs you, such as constantly asking to borrow your clothes and then never offering to wash them, address it early. Addressing issues that bug you while they’re still little can help your roommate be aware of something she may not otherwise know. Also, addressing little things is much easier than addressing them after they’ve become big and are habitual.
5. Be careful of who you bring into your room — and how often.
It may not seem like a big deal to have your study group in your bedroom three nights a week, but to your roommate, it may not be ideal. There has to be a balance that boils down to mutual respect. If your roommate studies best in the quiet, and you study best in a group, you can try to alternate who hits the library and who gets the room. Compromise is key here.
6. Respect your roommates’ stuff.
You would think this goes without saying, and yet it still remains a problem for roommates countless times. The best suggestion I can give is always ask first. Shooting a text takes all of five seconds and personally I feel much better knowing that I have permission to use something. Simply put: don’t borrow, use, or take anything without getting permission first.
7. Follow the Golden Rule.
The key to managing roommate relationships is be respectful and considerate of one another. Just like you learned in elementary school: treat others the way you wish to be treated. If you don’t like walking into your common room to unexpectedly find a stranger passed out on the couch, don’t do the same and invite friends over without telling your roommates beforehand. Don’t leave your dirty dishes in the sink. Don’t forget to do your weekly chore. You get the idea.
Common rooms can be a beautiful thing! Try to keep yours clean and festive!
Follow this simple advice to make living with seven roommates much easier and less stressful. With the logistics and drama aside, you and your roommates can relish 8-man suites to their full potential and truly enjoy sophomore year the right way!
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Photo Source: Jaclyn Hudock