Picture yourself five months from now. The room in your residence hall is no bigger (and probably even smaller) than the room you have all to yourself right now. Have you ever even shared a room? Add to that room an extra bed, an extra desk, an extra dresser, possibly a sink and a mini-fridge…you’re probably wondering where your FEET are going to go, much less all of your stuff! Whooooaaaaa…wait a minute – it won’t be just YOUR stuff you’re cramming in – half of that leftover space belongs to the person you’ll be spending the next two semesters (or more) with.
Sound like a rrrrruff set-up? It doesn’t have to be. I talked to my pal Luna
and she’s got a great plan worked out for herself and her roommate next year. Here’s what she suggests for a successful situation in a small space:1. First and foremost, make sure YOU—not a parent—completes the housing questionnaire!
2. Once you’ve moved in, your top priority? BE RESPECTFUL! Remember that it’s just as hard for your roommate to adjust to your quirks and behaviors as it is for you to adjust to his. Remember the Golden Rule, and you’re off to a great start.
3. Don’t BORROW your roommate’s things without permission! What if you reached for your lucky t-shirt before heading off to an exam, only to find out he had helped himself to it that morning? Stay out of his Pringles can (or backpack, or closet, or desk drawer) unless you’ve asked him first.
4. Keep your roommate’s private business to yourself! In a small space, you’re more than likely going to overhear your roommate’s phone calls, conversations, and you may even happen upon that exam he failed. Keep it in the room!! It could just as easily be you who accidentally leaves a private e-mail up on your laptop while you step away. Do you want him sharing that information when he inadvertently glances at your screen?
4. Keep it CLEAN! Pick up after yourself!
Your laundry and your language should be kept in check – ESPECIALLY in the beginning. It goes back to respect. Once you’ve had a chance to get to know each other and it turns out that a foul mouth and foul clothes hamper are two things you have in common – then you’ll have a better idea of your boundaries…although I wouldn’t anticipate many guests dropping by under either circumstance. 5. Quiet TRUMPS Noise!!! What do I mean? Your room is going to be your haven for many activities – tv-watching, Internet-surfing, snacking, and most importantly, SLEEPING and STUDYING! Now, you may want to celebrate the exam you just aced by cranking up Beyonce’s latest on your stereo and doing the happy dance, but if your roommate’s still studying (or napping) take your celebration somewhere else for a while.
Luna’s got even more great tips I’ll share with you later.
Woof,
Clyde
