Tips on College Roommate Relations: Picking a good one and maintaining the fun

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Tips on College Roommate Relations: Picking a good one and maintaining the fun
By: Kristen Szustakowski, editorial assistant, Campus Calmâ„¢

We have all had, or know someone who has had, less than desirable roommates. Circulating in the dining halls are horror stories: the guy who doesn't’t shower, the girl who’s boyfriend never leaves, and the kid who insists on keeping the lights off and the blinds closed all day. As a former Resident Assistant, I have seen all kinds of problems with roommates, many of which can be fixed before it turns into a suite that keeps their food in locked tool boxes in the fridge. (True story!) Here are a list of ideas to keep in mind when choosing your next roommate, as well as how to fix the issues with the less-than-awesome ones.

Re-Evaluate Your BFF: Rooming with your best friend might seem like the most obvious and best choice, and often times it just might be; however, it’s not a decision that should be made lightly. While you and your BFF might have taken every class together since the 1st grade and have everything in common under the sun, the roommate is a completely new and different role. Some thoughts you may want to consider are: Do I want to see this person at my home in addition to the places I already see him/her? What happens if there is an argument between us, or I just need space? How in sync are our living habits? You don’t want to be frustrated with your best buddy because of some dirty dishes.

Focus on Your Habits: How you act in your living space might be the most important criteria for choosing a roommate. Take a moment to think about how you live: What hours do you sleep? When do you do homework, and what type of environment do you need to get it done? Do you clean on a regular basis or only when you can’t find what smells? Are you a quiet person or a loud person? Do you like a lot of light, or do you prefer it dark? Is your living space just a bed to crash at the end of a long day, or is it something more? How often do you have friends/your significant other over? At the end of the day, the chances of you and your roommate getting along has nothing to do with you both being nutrition majors and Battlestar Galactica fans. It’s all about how alike you live.

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