Living on campus can be very different than living with your family. You may or may not know your roommate very well. You may come from a different part of the world. WHile these new experiences may initially seem intimidating to you, they offer you many different avenues for personal growth and understanding.
Roommate relationships are the foundations for community development, and a chance to make lifelong friendships. It isn't necessary to be best friends or share every aspect of university life together, but it is important that roommates respect each other's rights.
Some things to talk about with your roommate...
- Get to know your roommate. Where are they from? What is their family like? Their friends? Their hobbies/interests?
- Get ot know their expectations, personal preferences and habits! How neat are they? When can guests be allowed? Sleep schedules? Alcohol?
- Get ot know your roommate's emotional style! What are they like when upset/down?
So you aren't getting along? Now What?!
Don't be surprised if you find yourself in conflict with your roommate. Disagreements are unavoidable and even the best of friends can get in arguments. This doesn't mean that you can't get along or won't get along. here are steps to help you out:
- Don't be afraid to approach your roommate with something that is bothering you. It is important to do this when it firsts starts bothering you!!! After approaching your roommate, if you cannot come to a solution following this then...
- Contact your RA and he or she can give your some helpful tips. They are trained to facilitate and mediate these situations and can even sit down with both of you if you wish or talk to your roommate for you. If all else fails then...
- You can both be placed on a Roommate Agreement. Whoever breaks this agreement may be forced to move by the Coordinator.
