How To Be A Good Roommate
It’s so exciting to start college and move into the dorms. Everything feels brand new and you can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you. One part of the college experience we’re going to talk about is having a roommate. It’s not easy living with someone you might not know in such close proximity. It could feel awkward and weird at first, but don’t worry, it’ll improve. All the same, there are certain things that you can do in order to make things run more smoothly for you two. To help you with that, we compiled this list of things you can do to be a good roommate.
Establish Basic Rules
The first thing you want to do when living with someone is to establish basic rules for both of you. Everyone has different things they might or might not be comfortable with. To avoid any uncomfortable situations, set some ground rules.
Always Ask
Even if you feel like you’re close, always make sure to ask before you use or borrow anything of theirs. Always ask permission first and make sure to honor their wishes, even if you don’t like it.
Respect Their Space
Everyone needs their own personal space, it’s only natural. No matter how outgoing your roommate is, always knock before entering their bedroom.
Clean Up
If you make a mess, make sure to clean it all up. Don’t expect your roommate to help clean up if you have a party unless you decided in advance to co-host it. Don’t leave the mess for the next day either.
Ask Before Having People Over
When you have someone over, no matter who it is, it’s a good idea to tell your roommate in advance.
Only Eat Or Use It If You Bought It
This tends to be more of a problem than you think. Unless you know for a fact that you bought it, don’t use it. It’s very simple. This applies to everything, not just food. Whether it’s makeup, toiletries, or anything else that runs out, ask before you use.
Communicate
This just might be the most important rule of all – communicate. Being passive-aggressive will get you absolutely nowhere. If there is something that your roommate does often that is bothering you, bring it up in a nice way.
