It’s around this time of year that roommate’s start feeling comfortable enough with each other to show their true colors. By this point some sort of relationship has most likely developed between roommates, whether it be a sisterly attachment or maybe just a simple coexistence. Whatever type of relationship you have with your roommate, there are a few simple rules to follow if you want to have a peaceful year. These are not the rules you should follow:
– Bring home a boy every night.
You may have thought you wanted to be the understanding roommate. Maybe at the beginning of the year you had a whole conversation about just how laid back you were. Maybe the two of you had a sock method worked out, and said that as long as you both used the sock as a warning, you didn’t care how many times the other person got lucky. Believe it or not, being sexiled for multiple nights in a row will get old. No one wants to be made to feel awkward and uncomfortable in their own home. That’s what a dorm room is – a temporary home. On the same note, be considerate of how many times you force your roommate out so you can have fun with your latest conquest. Having fun can make you careless…but think. Before you get carried away with your One-Day-Pass giveaways, put yourself in your roommate’s shoes.
– Be a slob.
One of the quickest ways to make a roommate resent you is to be sloppy. The problem with this is that people define clean in different ways. Maybe your definition of clean is making sure your mess is on your side. Maybe her definition of clean is vacuuming the room and dusting twice a week. Whatever the case may be, you need to discuss it and agree on standards of upkeep for the room. In cramped quarters, it is essential to ensure everyone is comfortable enough to carry on with their life.
– Skype or talk on the phone at weird hours.
Some people are deep sleepers. Others are not. Maybe your roommate can’t fall asleep with you video-chatting your best friend at 2 am, or calling your mom at midnight. The same thing also goes for entertaining weird habits that are potentially disturbing at times that are typically considered bedtime hours.
– Be passive aggressive.
There isn’t much that can drive a wedge between two people like passive aggression. For girls, sometimes being passive rather than confrontational can be the easiest path to take…however it’s also the worst. The second something gets under your skin it is best to confront the issue imme
diately. It may be uncomfortable, but it’ll be easier in the long run. Passive aggression will be met with more passive behavior. If you address an issue once it arises, you can fix it faster, therefore preventing long-term damage.
– Don’t be considerate of other people’s pet peeves.
In an ideal world, everyone exists in harmony and peace. We do not live in an ideal world, so this is not the case. Everyone has pet peeves that drive them crazy, and while it’s not expected that you tiptoe around anyone to avoid setting them off, consideration is always appreciated. Don’t smack your gum around someone who is easily annoyed by sounds. Don’t eat curry in a room with someone who has a particularly sensitive nose. Try not to sneeze all over a germ-a-phobe’s desk. If you take your roommate’s preferences in mind, she is more likely to do the same.
Adjusting to living with another person who may be from a different background with a different set of ideals is likely to be difficult. Don’t be afraid to adjust. If you constantly sex-out your roommate, make a mess of your shared room, are a disturbance at odd hours, fail to communicate, or carry on with your obnoxious habits, you may miss out on the chance to make a friend and have a pleasant year.