How To Deal: Roommate Problems

I have always been the girl that got along with everyone, had a lot of friends, and always had someone to go out with. Needless to say, I never expected to be the outcast when it came to dorming with five other girls.  

Before I came to Emerson, I was debating over randomly selecting my roommates or picking my own. I ultimately found all of my roommates on Facebook. We got along great through texting and messaging. I was so excited. I really felt like these girls were going to be like the sisters I never had.  
 

Freshman year in college is tough. I’m a family girl and being 5 hours away from home was really difficult for me the first week of school. I went home for the weekend, and when I came back and walked into my dorm, all of my suitemates were sitting and laughing in a way that didn’t feel right. I just walked into my room and went to bed. The girls ended up becoming really close that weekend and from the next day forward, things were completely different. One of my suitemates actually ended up yelling at me the next week because she thought I was being “dumb” when it came to a fight with my boyfriend. As time continued, they grew closer, and I began to hate living in my dorm. 

I started to feel alone because my roommates would never invite me to lunch or dinner with them. Finally, one day I realized, I don’t need to be best friends with my roommates. I just have to tolerate them, which I can do. I have made a lot of friends outside of this room and am always talking to someone. Where and who you dorm with is not as important as I thought it was.  
 

Here are some ways to deal with your roommates when you just don’t get along:

• Spend one on one time with each of them; a lot of people will act differently when they’re not with their other friends.
• Try going out with your roommates on the weekend. The weekend is a time when everyone isn’t stressed from school so it’s easier to interact.
• Join activities in school. If you meet people who you share common interests with, you’ll make more friends and not have to feel like you have to rely on your roommates.
• Talk to your RA. You should not have to be living with people you don’t get along with. College is supposed to be fun. If possible, make a room change.
• And most IMPORTANTLY don’t feel like you’re alone. Everyone feels like they NEED to get along with their roommates, but in actuality, Emerson has roughly 3,600 students. I promise you can find friends outside of your dorm.