While college is a wonderful time for discovering yourself and figuring your life out, it can also be a treacherous time with roommates. You might have started out as the best of friends or went random, but either way, your roommate situation might not turn out how you planned.
We all know about those roommate horror stories. Not to worry, here are some tips to survive your “roommate-ship!”
Set Up Boundaries
While having a roommate meeting may sound lame or stupid it can help you out. How is your roommate supposed to avoid crossing boundaries if they do not know what those boundaries are? It can be much easier to implement a set of expectations early.
However, if you find yourself months deep into this housing situation do not give up. It is never too late to lay out some boundaries. Approach your roommate during a time that works for both of you and write out an expectations contract.
Keep Your Space
If you find it difficult to be around your roommate, start to step away. Your home should not be a stressful environment. However, if you need to avoid being there, meet up at friends’ places instead of yours, study elsewhere and try to find times when your roommate is away. Thankfully, college rooming is temporary and if you are deciding to stick it out, avoiding conflict might be your best bet.
Stop Making Things Worse
Gossiping with all your friends about your ‘horrible roommate” is not going to make anything better. Avoid angering your roommate anymore and get on some common ground. It is okay if your roommate is no longer your friend, but remember to treat them with respect.
No one wants to be uncomfortable in their own home. As much as you would like to blame the situation on your roommate, it may just be that you were not compatible with each other.
Try A Room Divider
While this is not the traditional route taken to deal with roommate issues, many people find room dividers helpful. The physical barrier can make you feel safer in your home. If you and your roommate are not getting along, they will not mind the divider.
It can feel like a relief to put some space between you and them. While it can be unconventional, plenty of people use room dividers who are on good terms with their roommate(s). Do not feel weird about trying it out, but be sure to let your roommate know beforehand.
Ask For Help
It is perfectly acceptable to ask for help. Your family might have some insight on how to approach the situation or how to get out of it. If you are living on campus, Resident Assistants are an excellent resource. Your RA can help mediate issues between you and your roommate.
If things get difficult, consider reaching out to a therapist. It can be mentally exhausting to be in this situation. Therapy can help you talk through your emotions, develop coping skills and even help dissect some of your core issues and how to fix them.
Move Out
If push comes to shove and you are genuinely miserable, it might be time to pack your bags. If the situation is becoming more stressful than it is worth there is no shame in moving out. Check with your housing office for housing alternatives. Let your roommate know that you plan on moving out so you can return shared items. Sometimes roommates do not work out and that is perfectly okay.
While this situation may feel like the end of the world, I can assure you it will be over before you know it. Waiting out for your lease or semester to end can be extremely stressful, but try some of these suggestions to get through it! Remember to try and make the situation work. Making yourself and your roommate miserable is only going to make things worse.