Getting Along With College Roommates
Of course every college student going to live in a dorm or a shared apartment hopes to get along with their roommates and of course, they all know the sayings such as, “Turn the other cheek,” should things go wrong with the living situation.
The truth is that there are some basic rules of etiquette that although they are unspoken, if followed, it should stop any situation from becoming unbearable. Here are some basic etiquette rules to follow when living with your college roommate.
• Keep your things tidy.
College students are busy people there’s no doubt about it. But when someone else must live in the environment you make, it should be as clean as possible. Some people can’t stand it when there are dirty clothes on the floor and open food bags and drinks everywhere. Assume that your roommate is a neat freak before you even meet them and act accordingly.
• Be respectful of a quiet place.
Just as you wouldn’t go barging into a library with the music blaring, if your roommate is quietly studying, don’t bring in a bunch of friends and start talking and laughing loudly. Your roommate was there first and so, the quiet needs to be respected. By the same token, if you love music but your roommate does not, make sure to wear headphones when listening to your favorite tunes! The same is ten times truer for waking a sleeping roommate.
Waking people up when they’re sleeping, especially sleepy college students can make people very angry whether it’s accidental or not. If you’re coming in late at night, try to be as quiet as possible and if you’re roommates having a nap in the middle of the day, try to find somewhere else to be at the time.
• Don’t ever touch your roommates stuff.
Or go through their personal things. This should be enough said but remember that their food is their stuff and you must ask permission before you eat it.
• Be respectful of visitors.
When your roommate has company over, mind your own business and don’t try to butt into their conversation. This doesn’t mean you have to be cold, just don’t make unnecessary comments, especially if they won’t be appreciated. Always remember that these are your roommate’s friends and that you must respect them. Also when you have friends over, make sure that they are polite and respectful to your roommate.
They are, after all, in your roommate’s room as well and they should remember so. Also try to visit your friends in their rooms or apartments sometimes as well. Having a room to entertain in is nice but your roommate may not always appreciate it.
• Inviting over boyfriends/girlfriends.
There’s a reason that decades ago roommates created a plan to give their roommate a sign when they were in the room with someone they were getting friendly with. This is because it’s inappropriate to do anything with someone else in the room. Even if they say they’re okay with it, even if you think they’re sleeping. It’s never okay so either be prepared to do sleepovers somewhere else or create a system with your roommate.
• Don’t talk badly about your roommate.
You and your roommate are going to eventually wear on each other’s nerves. It’s inevitable when people live so closely together. However angry they have made you or what they have done, never put them down and gossip about them to other people. Hopefully, whatever has happened has passed and you never want to say something you will regret.
By the same token, when you find out personal information about your roommate and this too is inevitable, be sure to forgot that you heard it or saw it. This is none of your business and it’s certainly no one else’s.
