One of the biggest adjustments that people face when they get to college is sharing a room with a complete stranger. Sharing a tiny space with a stranger that may or may not become your best friend is a challenge for anyone. This is the situation is a learning experience for all involved, by working together most roommates can overcome these challenges.
The first thing that has to be done in a healthy roommate relationship is the individuals need to communicate with each other. This is essential to start doing from the very beginning and then rules can be put in place. When a problem arises, each person needs to address the issue from the start. The small things should be talked about with each other so they don’t spiral into bigger problems later on in the school year. Communication will also allow each person to learn about each other and starting a foundation for a relationship to build off of.
When rooming with someone that is a stranger, everyone has to be open to new experiences. Many times a person rooms with someone that comes from a different background than they are from. By keeping an open mind, each person in the room will learn something about the world that they didn’t grow up in. When living with a new person, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone comes from different backgrounds. This will enable everyone to grew, learn and change as individuals.
The most important thing to remember when living with a roommate is that they should be treated the way every person wants to be treated. Remembering the Golden Rule: treat others the way you would want to be treated. Through all the ups and downs of a roommate relationship if this rule is followed then hard feelings will be avoided.
No roommate relationship will be perfect, there will be times that are hard for everyone involved due with the big adjustment. The important thing to remember is that everyone is adjusting to this major step in life. When times get hard and it seems like the roommate situation isn’t going to work out, communication is the way to go. If everything else fails then there can be a request made to change roommates. There is no bleak situation that can’t be solved, it just might take some time. So, the last tip is to be patient with each other.
Sydney,
How well written!
Vaguely recalling my first year in college (?), there were 4 people who shared two rooms, one room with two sets of bunk beds, the other with 4 desks. One of my roommates was legally blind and had to listen to all of her books on pre-recorded reel-to-reel tapes at all hours.
Trying as it was at the time, I grew alot getting to know her and the 2 others, and she, in part, set me on my path working with disabled people.
So, I hope your fellow students heed your words of advice. Great work!
Nancy