How to Deal – Handle Your First College Roommate

Across the country, future freshmen are preparing to leave home for the first time. For many of these new students, moving also means staying with a roommate for the first time. Some students prefer to live on campus, while others prefer to live on campus. In any case, living with a roommate is a great device.

Of course, each new student hopes to find a friend in the roommate, but the ideal situation will not be. If you take the time to solve problems between you and your roommate, it will have a positive impact on your transition to college.

“Living with a college roommate can be a rewarding and rewarding experience,” said Linda Fiore, author of “College Roommate from Hell – Skills and Survival Strategies with a Troubled Roommate.” “Not only will you learn more about yourself, but you will also learn how to interact effectively with your peers, resolve conflicts, adapt to new situations, and develop communication and social skills.”

These 10 tips will help you prepare for life with your roommate or offer solutions to the problems you’ve already encountered:

1. Keep your expectations realistic. At some point, when you live in a shared space, you’ll either be paired with a struggling roommate, or you’ll be in conflict with your roommate. Accept conflict as a way to develop your problem-solving skills.
2. Don’t assume. Talk to your roommate about sharing things like clothes, food, and detergents. Discuss sharing and, if you both agree, set the rules to avoid future conflicts and misunderstandings.
3. Create friendship. Your roommate doesn’t have to be your best friend, but you should try to be friends. Learning about campus together is one way to get close right away. Not only will you learn more about your new campus, but you will also take the first step towards friendship.

Understanding is important. Most schools have roommates who sign an agreement that sets out the rules they will all follow. This way, you and your roommate will be able to decide as a team, whether you can stay overnight as guests and how often this is acceptable. Talk honestly about your lifestyle and the rules you both want to follow.

Consider the conflict. When dealing with what you think is a conflict with your roommate, ask yourself if it’s based on behavior that can be corrected, or on personal traits. Your roommate will feel offended if you criticize his personality.

6. Don’t hold the wrong place. Discuss your differences if there is a conflict. Conflict can seem overwhelming when it arises, especially when the feelings are offended, but its immediate solution should resolve it. Report your complaint before your anger increases and the situation escalates.
7. Be prepared to compromise. Even if you both pass the roommates’ survey, your habits won’t be the same. Sometimes you need to change your behavior as a mark of respect to your roommate. For example, if you like to go to bed late but your roommate is lightly asleep, you may have to give up and practice in the shared bedroom. Your roommate will notice your politeness and show you the same respect.

Expand your horizons. Opposing personalities, lifestyles and backgrounds can teach you a lifestyle that is different from your own. Take time to understand why your neighbor is behaving this way. Mutual understanding leads to respect.

9. Think of it as a learning experience. To leave home and live alone is the realization that you need to accept the mistakes and personalities of others. By doing so, you will be better prepared for professional and personal relationships after college.

Use your resources. The dorm staff is here to make your time on campus as easy as possible. They are trained in conflict resolution and are familiar with the complex problems that students face. Consider them a valuable resource to solve the problems of your roommates.