Tips on How to Get Along With A Roommate

Tips on How to Get Along With A Roommate

Category: College Corner

Here are some tips on how to get better along with a roommate.


1. Bring only what you need

If you're moving in at the same time, discuss beforehand who's bringing what with them so you don't end up with two of everything (kitchen appliances, living room furniture, etc).

2. Who gets the bigger bedroom?

Decide who gets which bedroom if there is more than one. You should also talk how you want the furniture to be arranged especially in share areas of the apartment.

3. Remember that song, "Spending the night together"

Don't get strange ideas, mate. What I'm trying to say is: put in an effort to get to know your roommate. Don't make unfair judgments about his character and personality when you haven't even had a chance to really talk and get to know each other a little better.

4. Respect private space

The apartment is yours as much as it is your roommate's, and vice versa. Respect each other's privacy. If you got some friends coming over, ask him in advance if he'd rather stay in his room or join the fun. If he prefers to stay inside his room, make sure to keep the noise level down as much as possible.

5. Create reasonable household chore schedules

If you guys are in college, it's best for you to come up with a household cleaning routine that complements your class schedules. If you're already going to work, it's the same thing. Nothing good is going to come out of not having a cleaning routine and both of you are just waiting on who would pick up someone else's trash to the garbage bin.

Show self-respect. Show some to your roommate, too. To avoid having to argue about who should take out the trash tomorrow, simply prepare a schedule plan beforehand, and stick to it.