The time you spend with your roommate(s) will almost always
be a time of learning through small growing pains. While the majority of
students have positive experiences, there is sometimes the occasion of
situations that do not work out. This is most commonly attributed to a lack of
communication between the roommates. Opening the lines of communication and
expectations early on really does help to avoid problems further down.
Set up Schedule – Often you and your roommate can
come to an agreement about your individual habits. Doing so is pro-active and
helps to maintain the harmony. This can be study times, cleaning times or even
quiet hours without music. Set up some time for your roommates to bond outside
of school.
Loud Noise/Music - Residence halls are designed
primarily to aid students in developing a positive study environment. They
realize that socializing is important to your development but studying still
takes precedence and your Resident Director will surely have established
dedicated quiet hours (commonly 10pm – 10am).
If your roommates loud behaviors are stifling your classwork,
let them know so. Sometimes they believe you either don’t care or like music at
that level. If either your roommate or yourself have the option of using
headphones or closing a door, doing either will help to make that calm study
area.
Dishes/Laundry - The residence hall has an obligation
to ensure that all students live in a clean and sanitary environment. While
dorming, I have personally seen how 3 college guys with no cleaning experience
can really transform a dorm room in days for the worse.
Setting schedules for taking out laundry/trash and a paper
plate rule are ideal ways to prevent these situations from literally piling up.
Another pro-active way is to encourage your dorm mates to clean at the same time,
this not only makes it more fun, but dorms are generally cleaner when all
roommates work together.
Role of your Resident Assistant (R.A.) - Your R.A.
shouldn’t be who you run to at every problem. You are dorming as an adult and
should take reasonable steps to solve the situation. Doing so can help earn you
respect from your roommate. Just imagine if your roommate had a problem, did
not discuss it with you and immediately got the R.A. involved, exactly. Use
your R.A. as a last source arbitrator and not a first choice problem solver.
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