National statistics indicate that more than 95 percent of entering first-year college students have never shared a bedroom, so chances are good that this is your first experience with a roommate.
Life with roommates can provide some of the most rewarding times you'll have at college. Your roommate may turn out to be a lifelong friend or your worst nightmare.
Learning how to live with another person and how to compromise and resolve differences are critical life skills.
Here are our best tips to successfully manage this new experience:
Communicate Openly.
Open communication is essential between roommates, right from the start. You and your roommate should set some basic guidelines and expectations for life in your room. These can be renegotiated over the course of the year as individual needs change but it is important to take this process seriously.
Set Boundaries for Visitors.
When would you prefer not to have people in the room? Are the rules different for male and female visitors? How do you feel about having other people spend the night?
Discuss Sharing.
What is shared, and what is yours? Do you mind if your roommate eats your food? Uses your toothpaste? In the room, what is communal space?
Set The Rules on Noise.
Do you study with music on? Do you like to watch TV late at night? Is a long phone conversation distracting to you? Are they a light sleeper? Respect their sensitivities.
Talk About Cleaning.
How often do you plan on cleaning the room? Do you mind if it’s messy, or do you prefer it stays neat?
Kindness, friendliness and compromise will go a long way. Even if you don't end up being lifelong besties, it can still be a great experience.
You're in this together, so try your best to make an effort and don't be THAT person.
