Your guide to peaceful co-existence with a roomie!

Many people have shared a room with someone before moving into halls.  😳

It could be a sibling, a friend, a partner or maybe even a pet. However, let me be the one to tell you; living with a stranger in a university hall will be like nothing you have ever experienced before. 

The experience of sharing a room can go either surprisingly well or like a nightmare. These are my tips to help you navigate this experience and make it a memorable one!

1. Be friendly and make an effort to know your roomie 🙏

It is really important to take out the time and try to befriend your roomate/flatmate at the start of the year. It makes a huge difference to familiarise yourself with the person you will share a great chunk of your year with. Go grab a coffee together, know aim to know more than their name, birthplace and degree! 

2. Create a list of ground rules that respect the preferences of all involved parties. 👭

There must be openly communicated expectations, some basic ground rules and a sense of ground between you and your roommate in order for there to be peace. Make sure you guys sit down and make a list of things like:

• when the switch-off time for lights is,
• what the guest policy for your room is
• who will take out the trash when

3. Make sure you keep up your end. 🏋️‍♀️

It is often easier to blame others than accept our own shortcomings. So before you express your annoyance with your roommate, make sure you have done everything that is expected of you. Don't wait for confrontations and always try to be as accommodating as you can

5. Be understanding and patient. 

It is everyone's first time living. You and a stranger will have at least some differences in the way you live or operate, so don't expect a match made in heaven (although hoping wouldn't be too unreasonable). Learn to accept people for who they are, when to step in and communicate your needs and how to let things go. Try to be the roommate you wish to have and befriend whoever you end up staying with and I assure you, you will be just fine!