TeamThose college students that live in dorms understand the importance of getting along with their college roommates. Not many students get the opportunity to go to college from their own homes or apartments. So, most of them accommodate in dorms while attending college.
If you are planning on becoming a student without changing the place of living, or in other words, getting an online degree, you should read a little bit about it. But if you are planning to become a “regular” student, here is what you need to know.
Living with others means that you have to learn how to share everything – bathroom, bedroom, closet, TV, personal space, and almost everything. For some people who haven’t experienced something like this before, it is not easy.
But living with other college students doesn’t have to be unpleasant. We have gathered some tips to help you get through it.
1. Set the boundaries and communicate openly
The first thing, you are there to study. So, you need to establish quiet time, study time, and bedtime. All those things are very important for your studying. So, everybody that lives in the same room has to speak openly about their needs.
The next thing is maintaining the room. You need to set rules about who and when cleans, buys groceries, supplies, who and when locks the doors and windows, etc.
Third important th
ing is – guests. You should address when can someone bring guests, what kind of behavior you don’t find acceptable, how many guests can come at the same time, etc.
These three things are crucial when it comes to living together and each person should set their own boundaries so you can make an agreement. Once you clear the things at first, you will not have bigger problems later.
2. Address the problem when it occurs
When something bothers you, you should address it right away, and don’t let things blow out of proportion. Maybe your roommates are doing something unconsciously but it bothers you. And all you have to do is ask them politely. It doesn’t matter if the problem is big or small, address it right away.
3. Respect roommates’ personal things
Even though roommates share a lot of things, each one of them has their own personal stuff (for example, their phone, their diary, etc.). And the golden rule is not to touch personal stuff without permission. It is rude and it will inevitably lead to a conflict.
4. Respect the guest rules you established
If you established the rules about the guests, when they can come, for how long and how many people can you bring, respect those rules. What you don’t want to do is bring guests when your roommates are sleeping or studying.
5. Get to know your roommates but don’t be pushy
Take the time to learn a little bit about your roommates, their hometown, their hobby, their family, friends, etc. But don’t be too pushy, some people need a little time to open to others. So, if your roommate doesn’t want to talk about a certain subject, let them do it at their own pace. You don’t have to force friendship as soon as you become roommates. These things should happen naturally. And even if you don’t become good friends, that’s okay. You can still respect each other as roommates.
6. Treat others as you would like to be treated
Just like in any aspect of your life, just treat others with respect. You are there for a limited period of time, so even if you are very different types of person and maybe you will never be close friends, you can always act like the adults. It will certainly make life easier for all of you.
