As a college student who’s lived in multiple different living situations throughout her two years at school, I am here to give you some advice on how to make your living situation as smooth as possible:
Communication is key
I will admit, I am the most non-confrontational person you will ever meet. However, if you’re currently running on two hours of sleep because your roommate refuses to go to bed at a timely hour, it’s time to speak up. Your comfort in your own room is not something worth sacrificing. If there is a conflict between you and your roommate, it’s better to speak up and talk about it instead of dreading every interaction you have with each other. Communicating well and often will help you avoid any uncomfortable beef between you and your roomie.
Get to know your roommate
Living with a stranger is never fun. Make an effort to get to know your roommate! Where are they from? What are they interested in? What are they studying? In no way do you have to be ultimate besties with your roommate, but hey, who knows? They very well could be.
Appreciate your own space
Even if you and your roommate do end up becoming the best of friends, understand that spending time away from your roommate is a good thing too. When you live together with someone 24/7, you can begin to feel like you never have alone time or space to yourself. Find things that you can call your own and spend time outside of your dorm, apartment, house, etc. and away from your roommate. A little distance won’t hurt and can even strengthen the relationship between you and your roommate.
Keep it tidy (at least for a bit)
I know, I know—some people are just messy people. And that’s not a bad thing! However, along with finding a place for yourself, that should also include finding a place for your stuff. Although it can be hard, having a separate place for your stuff and a separate place for your roommate’s stuff can help establish a sort of respect for one another. But hey, maybe both you and your roommate lean towards the messy side and that’s okay too! Find what works best for the both of you when it comes to the cleanliness of your room, but know having your stuff apart from your roommates can also lead to less conflict down the line. Don’t want to lose your favorite shirt just to find that it’s been in your roommate’s closet the whole time!
Appreciate your roommate
I’m sure you have heard of all of the roommate horror stories from hell, however, that’s not always the case. Many of my previous roommates have become my good friends and are people I still hang out with to this day. Know that your roommate has probably had all of the feelings of worry, doubt, and anxiousness regarding their living situation just as much as you have. No one wants an uncomfortable living situation and wants to enjoy their roommates as much as possible. Appreciate your roommate and enjoy the time you get to spend together – it’ll make living together that much better.
Roommate and college living situations can often be stressful and nerve-wracking. However, know that not every roommate will be that roommate from hell. So enjoy your time spent living with your roommate and enjoy your time in college with them!