Residential Life - How to get along with roommates?

1.Make House Rules. 

-They don’t have to be a lot of rules, just ask yourself which things really matter to you in the home and make a list of them to discuss with the new roommates before they move in. 

2.Respect Everyone’s space. 

-Do whatever you want in your own room or your side of the room but go out of your way to be respectful of your roommate’s space and any shared space. Pick up after yourself in common areas. 

3.Look for Ways to Solve Problems 

-Talking about problems means that you figure out what the problem is, what resolution you are seeking and what you are willing to compromise about. Solve problems instead of fighting about them.

4.Take Care of Yourself and Your Responsibilities

-Don’t let your laundry pile up Get out of bed even when you are feeling depressed. Do your fair share of the household chores. If you take care of your part of the bargain then you’ll be able to tell really quickly if your roommates are not doing their part. 

5.Be Honest with Your New Roommates 

-The biggest mistake that people make with new roommates is that they are nice instead of honest. Don’t be rude, but be honest about what you want and need from a roommate. This will save you a lot of trouble over time and make you glad that you have the roommate. This will save you a lot of trouble over time and make you glad that you have the roommate situation that you do. 

6.Be Willing to Let Go 

-If you have given it a good honest effort and things just aren’t working out in your home then be willing to move on. Figure out a way to break the lease, sublet the place, get a new spot to live.. whatever you need to do to remedy the situation so that you can get better roommates the next time around.

7.Be Friendly, without expecting to be best friends.

-Don’t go into your roommate relationship thinking that you are going to be best friends for the time you are at school. It may happen, but expecting it sets both of you up for trouble. You should be friendly with your roommate but also make sure you have your own social circles. 

8.Be Open to New Things

-Your roommate may be from someplace you’ve never heard of. They may have a religion of lifestyle that is completely different from your own. Be open to new ideas and experiences, especially as it to relates to what your roommate brings into your life. 

9.Be Open to Change 

-You should expect to learn and grown and change during your time at school. And the same should happen to your roommate, if all goes well. As the semester progresses, realize things will change for both of you. Be comfortable addressing things that unexpectedly come, setting new rules, and being flexible to your changing environment. 

10.Be Clear from the Beginning. 

-Let you roommate know as soon as you can about your little quirks and preferences. It’s not fair to expect him or her to pick up on them right away, and communicating what you need is one of the best ways to eliminate problems before they become problems. 



Link: http://kathrynvercillo.hubpages.com/hub/15-Tips-for-Getting-Along-with-New-Roommates
         http://collegelife.about.com/od/beforeyouarrive/qt/roommatetips.htm