Anina
Tips on having a college roommate?
I'll be learning who my roommate will be in college in a week or two, and I've never had a roommate before. I was wondering what I could do to be a "good" roommate instead of a "bad" one. #college
4 answers
Rachel Resnick
Rachel’s Answer
Set boundaries. Set ground rules. Talk to one another, communicate clearly, divide chores and cleanliness expectations. Do not get passive aggressive.
Taylor Teeters
Taylor’s Answer
1. Willingness to Communicate - someone that’s willing to communicate and work toward compromise
2. Responsible - there needs to be a certain amount of accountability for each roommate since you are sharing a living space with that person (sometimes you share chores and bills also). You may have different ways of managing responsibilities independently, so there should be an agreement between the two of you on how to get things done. This ties into #1 as well.
3. Respectful - Since you share a space with your roommate, they will have access to many of your belongings. Have a detailed discussion about what sort of borrowing / privacy arrangements you’re comfortable with before too much time passes.
4. Safety - Look for a roommate who has a similar idea of what it means to be safe. This includes closing windows, locking doors, inviting others over, etc.
5. Living Habits - While you don't need to have the exact same living habits to be good roommates - it's helpful to have an understanding of the other person's living habits up front so nothing comes as a surprise. This could include wakeup/go to sleep times, music preferences, TV watching, cooking habits, cleanliness, study habits, etc.
#1 on clear communication should help address the rest of the topics - and should help give you clarity to which roommate will be best for you. Hope this helps and good luck!
Sanjay Balraju
Sanjay’s Answer
Hi Anina. how are you. The question you asked is very interesting because after every day college, you end up going to your room to relax/ study/ rest/ eat/ etc. The other person's presence in your room plays a very influencing factor which impacts your focus on education. Hence, it is vital to have a "good room-mate". Now, how do you find a good room-mate? Obviously we cannot judge or find out about someone to be good or bad in a matter or days. So what do we do? SOLUTION: SETUP RULES TO YOURSELF AND ROOM-MATE :)
Rule 1: Agreement to "Always respect each others".
Rule 2: "No offensive language or actions" (including vulgar jokes).
Rule 3: Always share 50-50 responsibility with everything to do with the room (Decision Making).
Rule 4: All decisions to be taken "after discussing & agreeing upon a point".
As per my experience, these rules will help you keep personal space and also dignity. Hence, will lead to a good peaceful relationship as room-mate and your room will be the only place you would want to go to every day :) All the very best. Hope these ideas help. God bless.
Brad Stewart
Brad’s Answer
Nice question. Glad to see that you are concerned with being a good roommate. Like most of the other answers I think being respectful of the other persons rights to quiet and privacy are important. I always think of the "Golden Rule", treat others like you would want to be treated.
Going away to school can be a wonderful time but sometimes that new freedom comes at a great price. Please don't forget why you are in college . Have fun but don't let the fun ruin your experience and your education. In the same manner don't let your new roommates fun interfere with your experience.
I think it is also very important that you get that same level of communication and respect from your new roommate. Hopefully you become best friends for life but that really isn't likely to happen. Give respect, communicate with them pick up after yourself and expect the same from them. If it doesn't work out you can always ask to be moved but I think that is a last resort.