New year, new housing set-up. In the First Year Edition of The Rotunda, an article briefly talked about roommates and housing. But whether you’re new to Longwood or coming back, new housing plans are probably always on your mind.
It doesn’t matter if you just met your roommate or you decided to room with a best friend or whatever your rooming situation, all students are just in their third week back.
The two week room freeze is over, and I have some roommate dos and don’ts for you so that hopefully your relationship with your roommate can survive.
All sorts of different situations can occur, so just be ready for anything to happen. Classes have already started, which means you probably have a good handle on how your relationship with your roommate is potentially going to play out in the following months.
Unfortunately, roommate horror stories do exist and could happen to anyone, so just be warned. On the other hand, you could meet your best friend while rooming with them.
Odds are, whatever your case may be, things won’t be that bad. If you don’t foresee you and your roommate becoming good friends, that’s fine too! Just learn to live with each other.
On the opposite realm, if you and your roommate are best friends and don’t have any problems, still set some ground rules soon to prevent issues from arising later.
Whatever your situation may be, just try to always look on the bright side. It’s only one year of your college life, and you can always make the best of it!
Now, here are those Do’s and Don’ts: Don’t invite others over without asking your roomie first! Do keep communication open. Talk things out; things could get ugly if you bottle up problems. Don’t leave trash or clothes around, especially if it’s on your roommate’s side of the room. Do make other friends. Don’t use your roommate’s things without asking. Do be mindful of your roommate’s schedule, but let them know you have a schedule too. Don’t make unnecessary assumptions/judgments of them. Do set boundaries. Don’t leave them out. Do be respectful of your roomie.
The bottom line is that you should be respectful. Try and follow these few simple tips. Though the room freeze is over, hopefully with this advice, you and your roommate won’t ever have to worry about taking advantage of it.
If you need roommate-related advice, make sure to utilize your Resident Assistant (R.A.). They will help you with any issues that may arise. Your Residence Education Coordinator (R.E.C.) is a helpful resource as well.
