Moving out of your parents house and into a dorm can be overwhelming. All of a sudden you move to a different place, without family, and all of a sudden there is a stranger living with you for the next year. Getting along with your roommate is essential to having a good college experience. Having a bad roommate can really change your perspective so here are some tips on how to be a good roommate.
1. Clean up after yourself.
Nothing is more annoying than having to clean up after your roommate or coming home to a huge mess in the kitchen that wasn't there when you left 30 minutes ago. A good roommate cleans up after themselves. At home it was OK for mom or dad to clean up after you, but in college it is now your responsibility to clean up after yourself.
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2. Communication is key.
When roommates tend to have disagreements or problems with one another, it is because there is a lack of communication. Communication is key to solving any type of roommate problem. Letting the other person know what is going on can help build a good relationship with your roommate. For instance, if you plan on having a few friends over to the dorm, it would be polite to check with your roommates first beforehand or give them a heads up. Letting them know beforehand can eliminate problems. It is also smart to communicate to them from the start each others pet peeves. Everyone has them, it's better to let each other know than to keep it inside.
3. Resolve issues quickly.
The longer problems are left unresolved the harder it will be to fix them and more problems will come with it. If you are having issues with a roommate, don't let it fluster inside of you until one day you explode because they forgot to buy soap. Resolve them when they come up, and you will have a better relationship and environment with your roommate.
4. Include one another.
Roommates do not have to be best friends but it is nice to have roommates include each other in things. A good roommate would invite their roommates to campus events, going to the store, or just asking if they want to watch TV with you. Including them on little things can help develop a good relationship in the long run. You do not have to be best friends, but you can at least enjoy each others company and get along.
5. Be open-minded.
Everyone comes from different backgrounds and family life and it is important to be open minded and understanding. What one roommate might think is common courtesy, another roommate might think it is unnecessary. Where we come from defines us and being open-minded can help gain trust and a friendship with a roommate.
6. Pitch in on necessities.
Toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, cleaning supplies, and soap are not free. If you haven't bought anything all semester, who do you think is? Being a good roommate requires each roommate to pitch in on the necessities. Take turns on who buys what, or go shopping together. It is unfair to have on person buy supplies for an apartment when everyone uses them.
7. Be respectful to one another.
Just because you are roommates does not mean you will be friends at all, but you should respect on another. Be respectful of each others wishes, beliefs, values, and life style choices is important. You don't have to believe in the same things as your roommates but you can still respect them.
8. Think about the other person.
A good roommate thinks about the other person. For example, if you know your roommate has a big exam early the next morning, don't blast music until 4 a.m. keeping them awake. Once you move on campus, you share your space with other people. Think about your roommates and what makes them comfortable in their living space.
