We have heard them all. The stories are ruthless. Your neighbor had a roommate who used to shower once a week. Your dad had a roommate who brushed his hair with his toothbrush. Your choir teacher had a roommate who once belched the ABC’s when they had company over.
By now, your stomach is in knots and you are more than terrified to go to college with a roommate of your own. But the truth is, it isn’t all horror stories. A great deal of having a good roommate relationship is actually up to you! Don’t believe me? Try out these 7 tips and see what happens next!
1. Talk about your expectations
The first step to a great roommate relationship is communicating your expectations. This seems like an easy task, but it can actually be difficult to do. You might be hesitant to bring up certain topics for fear of sounding demanding or because you don’t want to make your roommate feel uncomfortable.
It is much better to talk about your expectations upfront than to deal with the consequences later on. So go ahead and have that conversation!
2. Set some ground rules
Once you have talked about your expectations, it is time to set some ground rules. This is important because it will help to ensure that both you and your roommate are on the same page. Again, it is better to set these things early on so that there are no surprises later on.
3. Be respectful of each other’s space
One of the most important things to remember when living with a roommate is to be respectful of each other’s space. This means not going through each other’s things without permission, not being too loud in shared spaces, and giving each other privacy when necessary.
4. Be considerate of each other’s schedules
Another important thing to remember is to be considerate of each other’s schedules. This means taking into consideration things like class schedules, work schedules, and extracurricular activities.
Don’t expect too much of your roommate and be flexible. Simple as that is, it will create a much more harmonious relationship.
5. Keep the shared space clean
This is probably one of the most important tips on this list. Nobody wants to live in a pigsty, so it is important to keep the shared space clean.
Of course, there will be times when the shared space is not as clean as you would like it to be. But as long as both you and your roommate are making an effort to keep things clean, it should not be a big issue.
6. Be flexible
One of the best things you can do for your roommate relationship is to be flexible. Be willing to compromise on things, change your plans when necessary, and generally learn to go with the flow. If you can be flexible, you will find that it is much easier to get along with your roommate.
7. Have fun!
Last but not least, remember to have fun! College is a time for making memories and experiences, so don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Make sure to spend time with your roommate, go on adventures, and have a good time. You will find that your roommate relationship is better for it!
Following these seven tips, you should be well on your way to creating a great roommate relationship! All roommate stories don’t have to be horror stories! Just remember to communicate, to be considerate, and to have fun, and you’ll do just fine.
