Getting Along With Your Roommate
In the halls, you have the opportunity to interact with others, participate in activities, initiate thought-provoking discussions and make lifelong friends.
Roomate Reality
Living with a roommate can be one of the most rewarding, fun, educational, and (especially before you arrive) worrisome aspects of coming to college.
Movies and TV shows portray roommates as your best friend or your worst enemy. Rarely is either situation the case. The truth is that roommate relationships are like most relationships—they require mutual respect, understanding, a common set of goals, and a good sense of humor.
Many roommates become good friends and grow to value and enjoy each other’s company. Some become life-long friends.
A few simply aren’t compatible, even after putting extra effort into the relationship. In those cases, we work to make the living situation as comfortable as possible and, if necessary, make room changes.
Community Expectations
With opportunity comes responsibility. All residents are expected to:
- treat others with respect
- communicate concerns to others
- ensure your actions do not infringe on others
- keep your floor/suite/hall clean
Please refer to our Roommate Communications Brochure to assist you with having a successful roommate experience
Resolving Conflict
You and your roommate(s) are bound to hit some tough patches, all relationships do. That’s why it is important to establish clear, healthy patterns of communication.
Helpful Steps
Below are steps you can take to resolve things on your own. Give them a try and you might be surprised.
- Talk to each other. It sounds simple but communication is the first step to resolving a conflict.
- Involve your RA. Your RA is a great resource for many things including offering an objective opinion to help mediate as you and your roommate(s) work through conflicts.
- Compromise. Compromise requires you spend time understanding what each person in the conflict values/wants as you try to find a middle ground together. The infamous “agree to disagree” can also assist compromise as it allows you to stand up for your needs/opinions without invalidating others.
- Expect Success. Entering a difficult conversation or conflict with optimism can help set you up for success. This also applies to the goals/changes you create and commit to in response to the conflict. Creating realistic goals to avoid future conflict starts with setting communication goals and ends with exploring ways you can help make your space a great place for everyone.