College move-in day can feel like the beginning of the best time of your life. And while you and your roommate have probably had some amazing memories together, a few months of being in the same space can make anyone feel like they’re starting to go crazy. Here are some tips to help you make the most of living with a roommate in your home away from home.
- Earphones, please.
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While you may think your most recent Spotify playlist contains all the greatest hits, your roommate might disagree. And even if they do have the same taste in music and movies, extra noise can be distracting if your roomie is trying to study or catch up on sleep. If you really want to go without earphones, just make sure to ask your roommate first and respect their right to say no. They’ll be thankful, promise.
- Remember that it’s a shared space.
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You don’t have to be a neat freak, but at least keep the floor space tidy – you don’t want your room to feel smaller than it already is. Clean up after yourself and respect your roommate’s right to a clean space.
- Discuss problems face-to-face.
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Even if your roommate is one of your best friends, there will inevitably be times that you’ll run into an issue. Don’t be the roommate that addresses problems with passive-aggressive notes or text messages. Discussing the issues in person will not only leave less room for miscommunication, but it will ultimately strengthen your relationship as roommates. Calmly explain to them what’s bugging you – it won’t be as bad as you think.
- Give your roommate some alone time.
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Privacy is hard to come by in a dorm room. If you do spend most of your time in the room, try to at least give your roommate a little bit of time by themselves. Even if it’s just going to the library or a coffee shop for a few hours, your roommate will appreciate some time alone.
- If you’re not sure, ask.
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If you’re not sure whether or not something will bother your roommate, just ask. They will always appreciate your respectfulness and will most likely return the favor in the future.
Whether you live in a dorm room or an off-campus apartment, living with roommates won’t always be a piece of cake. Just try your hardest to make sure that you’re being the best roommate you can be so you can make the most of your college years!