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FRESHMAN JOURNAL |
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Roommate 101
By Chris Peters, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
For most students, college is synonymous with freedom.
After 18 years of solitude, many students are ready to break free and do their own thing. And for the most part, college provides that. However, the majority of college freshmen find themselves with one huge obstacle from day one: a roommate.
According to Florida International University, 80% of college freshmen live in dorms, most of which are living with a roommate for the first time in their lives. This transition can be tough for many angst-filled teens. Don't worry though, because I've devised a simple three-step process to help you learn to live with your roommate, no matter what make or model you might end up with.
Step One: Be Respectful
When you first meet your roommate, it's crucial that you show a little respect so you can start to build a friendship.
Whether you're deciding on who brings what or laying down the ground rules, just make sure you try to be fair so you can earn his or her trust.
Step Two: Be Polite
The first few days with a new roommate are crucial to the development of a long-term friendship. One of the easiest ways to start off on the right foot is by simply being polite to your roommate. Little things like wearing headphones when listening to music or voluntarily sharing TV time can go a long way.
Step Three: Be Yourself
After the first week or so has gone by, you have hopefully formed a strong enough foundation to relax a little bit. Now that this has been established, you can begin showing who you really are. By now, your roommate should have a basic understanding of who you are.
If after those steps you still can't seem to gel with your roommate, then you always have a Resident Assistant that you can talk to. Each floor has at least one R.A. assigned to it; they’re there to help you adjust to living on campus and with your roommate. Although R.A.s can be very helpful, they shouldn't be necessary to build most roommate-to-roommate relationships if you put forth the right effort.
With the right mindset and a little patience, living with a roommate can become a very positive experience. It teaches you how to adjust to any situation, and inevitably makes you grow up a bit more. Living with a roommate is just one stop-off on your quest for freedom; so be sure to make it a positive one.
A New Routine
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