So, you've just arrived back at your dorm or apartment after a long and luxurious winter break, filled with family, friends, and home-cooked meals. You unlock the door to your room, and see THEM. They are the person with whom you spent an entire semester, eating, sleeping, and living. They are Your Roomate.
In this moment, you are experiencing one of two emotions: either it's elation or it's "You're here? Already? I thought you were flying in tomorrow..." Gone is the apprehension you felt when you first met the person you'd be living with. Like it or not, you know this person. Intimately.
Now, let me just say, my roommate and I have been dubbed "Roomie Goals" since approximately Day 1. We live in a medium-sized cinderblock box together, have very different personalities, and still love and respect each other. I'm not saying I'm a roommate guru, but I'm damn close. So without further ado, I present to you my five key steps to maintaining a healthy living situation with your roommate second semester:
1) First Thing's First Be the Realest
You know your roommate by now. You know their quirks, habits, hopes, dreams, etcetera. You also know the things you needed to work on as a pair last semester. The best way to ensure that this semester is even better than the last is to talk about these things, especially since you're now even more familiar with one another. You don't need to sit down for an intervention-style discussion unless things are seriously out of hand; typically a simple "Hey, is there any way we could do a biweekly cleaning sesh? Our rug smells suuuper weird," or something equally casual will do.
2) Treat Yo Sel(ves)
Obviously it isn't necessary to spend an inordinate sum of money, but make the space livable. If there's something that you both needed last semester, take the initiative to get it. For example, my lovely roomie got us a french press for Christmas to spare us terrible dining hall coffee and trips to Starbucks. Next time we need something, I'll be more than happy to get it. This becomes a healthy pattern and also simplifies the process of determining who takes and keeps what at the end of the year.
3) (Under)sharing is Caring
This one is short and sweet, and somewhat of a comment on #2. While you and your roommate may share clothes and makeup or video games and snacks, it is important ensure that you're not oversharing. You've lived together for several months now, and borrowing as much as you did when you first met may be less appealing to one or both of you. When in doubt, don't eat the last of their ramen, even if they said it was okay.
4) NOT The Golden Rule
My roomie and I have had very different upbringings and personalities, and thus are accustomed to very different mannerisms and speech patterns (I'm from Chicago, and she's from Minnesota). There are thing's that I'm totally comfortable with that she may not be, and vice versa. Essentially what I'm getting at is this: treat your roommate the way YOUR ROOMMATE would like to be treated. Be perceptive. What you're happy with may not be what they're happy with. Even if you don't love them as a person, you can still avoid conflict or stress by minimizing the things that make them uncomfortable or unhappy.
5) If You Liked It Then You Shoulda Put a Ring on It
As you and your roommate approach the end of the year, it's time to start thinking of who you would like to room with next fall. Chances are, if your roomie isn't your first choice, you're probably not theirs. But, as always, be kind, thoughtful, and communicative. If you're all of those things as well as lucky, your roommate truly can be your best friend.
