Five Tips and Tricks for your First Semester with a Roommate

Most first year students haven’t had to live with a roommate. They have had their own room and personal space their whole life. Sharing a room with someone makes everything a little bit harder. You have new waters to navigate with every topic. But it can be done! These tips will make your first year with your roommate just a little easier!



First and foremost, talk to your roommate.

The best thing you can do before you meet your roommate is to get to know them a little. It will help to find out their likes and dislikes. You will learn about their personality but it will be easier to learn when you live with them. The talking shouldn’t stop when the semester starts. To prevent major arguments, both of you should talk about your expectations of each other and how you feel about different situations such as guests in the beginning.


Respect their side of the room and their belongings.

Since most people haven’t had to share a room before, it may be hard for them to adapt with only having half of a room to themselves. If you learn how to be respectful of your roommates’ belongings it will help to elevate some of the conflicts that can take place. It also helps to be conscience of when they have to get up early and need sleep. Then you will be less likely to wake them up the night before.


It is okay to disagree with them sometimes.

A fight is inevitable sometimes. You’re human, and aren’t perfect. Your roommate and yourself may only have a couple things in common. It is best to handle the disagreement in a mature way that will not cause any more problems. If you need help you can always ask an RA or someone you trust!


Don’t blow things out of proportion.

Every small issue you have is not something you should have a full-scale fight with them about. If something is bothering you about them, you should talk to them about it and not let it stew in your mind. Most likely your roommate will be happy you were honest and told them about it so you can build a better relationship with them.


You don’t have to be their best friend.

I know that you live with them and that makes it extremely easy to become best friends. It is also something that doesn’t have to happen. If you become best friends that is a bonus! For your first semester, it does make it easier having someone you can go to the dining hall and different events with. But after your first year it is more likely that you will grow apart and have different friend groups and that is okay! College is a place to find yourself!

These tips aren’t all encompassing in what you may have to deal with during your first year of having a roommate. It’s tough living with a roommate but I know you can tackle it! If you have any problems at all you can always talk to any of the leads, mentors or envoys in WEPO! College is the best years of your life, don’t let a roommate change that!

By: Rebecca Aloi (Mentor Team C)