Roommates

Moving into your first apartment is a significant adjustment for everyone. We believe that sharing a living space can be an important part of the college experience, offering a chance to learn from someone with a different perspective. Review the tips below to ensure you have a positive roommate experience.

Get to Know Each Other

Get to know your roommate by attending programs and events, seeing a movie, or grabbing a bite to eat together. Setting aside time to spend with one another will help you begin to understand each other better and develop a positive relationship.

Be Open-Minded

You and your roommate(s) will be different. People communicate differently, so make a genuine effort to open up to your roommate. Keep a positive attitude and an open mind. You can learn a lot from someone whose background, culture, values, and interests are different from yours.

Set Clear Expectations from the Beginning

In order to avoid frustration, discuss individual expectations with your roommate(s). You will probably have lots in common, but there will also be some differences. Coming to a common agreement on what is expected for your living space is an important part of living with another person. Some topics you probably want to discuss are finances, sleep schedules, visitors, borrowing and sharing of items, conflict resolution, and cleanliness. Complete a roommate agreement to lay clear ground rules ahead of time and prevent roommate conflicts down the road.

Address Issues Early On

Most problems can be resolved with communication and by speaking to each other face-to-face. It is important to address concerns early on so they do not build up into something bigger. Set aside a specific time to speak with your roommate and listen to each other openly and honestly. 

Give Each Other Space

Sharing a place is a big adjustment for many people. Even if you are best friends, being together all the time can be too much. Taking time to spend with other friends or alone can improve your roommate relationship.

Respect Your Roommate's Belongings

Everyone has a comfort level for sharing items with roommates. Always ask before you borrow something, and do not assume that if your roommate lets you borrow something one time, you can borrow it the next time without asking.

Schedule Study Times

Communicate with each other when important events (papers, projects, tests) are coming up. Please be respectful of your living space as a place to sleep and study. Utilize on-campus spaces as a quiet place to study too.