How to Get Along With Your Roommate

One of the more nerve-wracking things about starting college can be sharing a room with someone. Whether you’re living with a friend or someone you’ve never met, here are some tips to help ensure that your relationship with your roommate goes as smoothly as possible!

Get to know each other!

This tip is especially helpful for those who are "going random" with their roommate. When you first meet, smile and be friendly! At the start of the year, make a plan to get dinner or go to an event on campus together. Ask questions about their interests and hobbies, and share some of yours. Getting to know your roommate personally can help start off your relationship on a friendly note, and it can even lead to a great friendship.

You don't have to be best friends.

A lot of people come into college with the idea that their roommate will become their best friend. While this does happen, it is not always the case. You and your roommate may spend a lot of time together at the start of the year, but this may die down after awhile. Don't worry if you and your roommate don't click; you'll be meeting so many new people in class, clubs, and in your dorm, and somewhere along the way, you'll make some incredible friends.

Establish ground rules.

There are some more serious topics that come with living with another person, such as cleanliness, having friends/boyfriends over, and sleeping habits. While it may seem awkward to have this conversation, setting up some expectations can save both you and your roommate a lot of trouble in the long run. If you're unsure of how to approach these topics, your RA is a great resource to reach out to.

Communication is key!

If something is bothering you about your living situation, the best thing to do is talk to your roommate about it. Try to bring up the issue early on, and try to be as non-defensive and non-judgmental as possible. Your roommate likely doesn't realize that they are bothering you, so sometimes a short conversation is all you need.

Be willing to compromise.

If an issue arises with your roommate, try your best to be flexible when coming up with a solution. Instead of playing the blame game, try and discuss what each of you could change in order to better the situation. Your RA can also help in these situations by mediating any discussions and/or offering solutions.

Try to get in touch before school!

If possible, try to talk to your roommate before starting classes.  You can discuss anything from what you're looking forward to about school, what you each want to bring with you to campus, or even how to decorate your room! Even by having a short conversation, you'll feel more at ease about living with a stranger, and you'll have a friendly face to greet you when you get to campus!

Apoorva Annamraju is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO '16!