As a college freshman, I can say that one of the most intimidating parts of college was having a roommate for the first time in my life, and I am sure many other freshmen would agree. Some of us went random, while others selected our roommates over the summer, but regardless, being a good roommate makes your life so much easier. It can make the transition from home life to college life less stressful, and hopefully, your roommate will try to do the same! Your dorm room is your small home away from home, and your escape from the chaos that is college.
Step 1: respect. Respect your roommate’s boundaries. If your roommate wants to go to sleep around 10 pm every night, make sure you don’t come back in at 12:30 am being obnoxious. Keep the lights dim and try to be quiet!
Step 2: make rules. Make a set of rules with your roommate, such as not having people in the room after a certain time on school nights and weekends.
Step 3: discuss pet peeves. Figure out what bothers your roommate, and vice versa. If you can’t stand something, make sure you inform your roommate. If you don’t speak up, your roommate will never know. Make sure you give your roommate the opportunity to do so as well.
Step 4: SNOOZE BUTTON. Do not be the roommate who keeps on hitting snooze on your alarm, especially if your roommate has a class later than you! Once or twice, that’s acceptable, we all have those mornings. Figure out what days you and your roommate have an 8 am.
Step 5: be a friend. Although you don’t have to invite them everywhere, if you’re just going to grab dinner quickly, invite your roommate. It’s a good time to bond, it’s a nice gesture, and a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Step 6: talk to your roommate. Nothing is more awkward than two (or more) roommates who don’t talk. Whenever you see your roommate, say, “hi,” make small talk, anything to lighten the mood. Building up a level of comfort is also important, and in case any issues do occur this year, it will be much easier to resolve them.
Step 7: keep your side clean. Do your best to make sure your side doesn’t look like a pigsty. Take out your garbage, and don’t leave anything of yours on your roommate’s side! Find out how clean your roommate wants to keep the room, and do your part in taking care of the room. No, it doesn’t have to be spotless, but no one wants to live in a dirty room.
Step 8: be open. Be open to your roommate. Some of us are local, while others are from thousands of miles away, and we are all different. Something that seems weird to you may be completely normal to your roommate, so don’t write your roommate off because of it.
Step 9: be honest. The worst possible thing you can do to the person you’re living with is lie! If you have an issue, talk it out. Hiding things and lying will only cause more issues than necessary in the long run.
Being a good roommate seems easy, but sometimes you forget to knock on the door before entering. Don’t worry though, if you establish boundaries and try to be civil with each other, it might even turn into a strong friendship. Freshman year is filled with changes, surprises, and stress, so don’t let who you’re living with turn into an issue.