15 Steps to Being A Good Roommate

Why is Being a Good Roommate Important?

 When you move off to a dorm, you are more than likely going to live with a complete stranger; which is just a part of college. Everyone tries their hardest to get along with the person they are living with but not everyone gets along that easily.

1. Know Their Schedule:

It is always best to know their schedule to know when you are able to study in silence or even when you want to take a nap. Most roommates are friends, and like to do certain things together. Knowing each-others schedules can help communicate and have a better relationship.

2. Clean Up Behind Yourself:

Dorm rooms are typically smaller than a basic house. A little mess goes a long way in such a confined area. No one wants to be stuck in a dirty, smelly, or gross room. It's also kind of embarrassing to bring people over int a messy room.

3. Listen to Your Roommate:

If you ask your roommate for advice, take it. Don't just leave your roommate's advice floating in the wind; most of the time, he or she knows what they're saying. Roommates are not there to tell you what you want to hear, they're there to tell you what you need to hear.

How to properly listen:

1. Sit down
2. Remove all distractions
3. Don't insert your own stories
4. Be willing to cry with them

4. Offer to Help:

Everyone has those days where you can use any kind of help. When you live with someone, you can see when they need help with anything. Be there for them. Be their right hand... and sometimes their left hand.

5. Learn Their Mannerisms:

When you know the basic movements your roommate does everyday, it changes the way you guys function together. Nothing is worse than being in a mood where you don't want to talk to anyone and your roommate wont stop trying to get a conversation going. If they knew how you moved, it would stop them from trying to burst your public space bubble.

6. Communicate:

When you move in with a stranger, you wont have any idea what their intentions are. You and your roommate need to have a sit down talk about what you guys want out of the year that you'll be living together. Know what you want and don't be afraid to speak your mind when something offends you.

7. Share the Cost:

Talk about a shopping rotation so that one person isn't spending all the money. Nothing is worse than someone stealing all of your food when you're the only one that provides it. It's extremely awful when you don't even get to eat the food you pay for.

8. Give Them Alone Time:

It is a proven fact that all humans require alone to be able to function. No one can be around people twenty four hours of the day.  Being alone for at least one hour is the best way to function in life

9. Be Considerate:

Being considerate, is an aspect everyone should have. Any little kind gesture thing can be considered considerate. Being quite, balancing others necessities, and helping each other are all considerate gestures. 

10. Don't Place Blame:

Placing blame is the best way to ruin your friendship. If you break something own up to it. Do not tell your roommate that he or she is the one who broke something when you know you did it.

11. Set Up A Roommate Agreement:

Most colleges require you to fill out a sheet. Roommate agreements solve many of your problems If you want to shower at a certain time everyday, talk about that in the agreement. Most colleges have community/residential assistant and they are there to help you guys get along.

12. Don't Take Their Stuff Without Their Permission:

You brought your own belongings to college. There is nothing worse than going into your closet to grab that pair of white sandals that looks so good with that blue shirt, that you got from a concert last week, that you wanted to wear to class today just to find out that they are not there. Instead, they are on your roommates feet.

To be kind, I made up my roommates bed so she didn't have to when she got back.

13. Kindness Goes A Long Way:

You never know what kind of day your roommate is having until you walk in there and see him or her. By her that ice cream that she loves so much. Take out the trash for him. If they are having an extremely bad day, clean the bathroom for them and see how you can help. 

14. Be A Shoulder To Cry on:

How would you feel if you needed to cry and no one was there to talk to. Be there for them to rant to if you roommate is crying, go sit with them. Let them talk it out, just do not let them be alone. After they see how much you care, they will more than likely be there for you in return.

15. Don't Brag:

You never know how your roommates past was. Do not talk about the luxuries of you life, good or bad, when you know you are living your roommates dream life. They may not be able to afford the stuff that you have handed to you daily. Do not complain that your mom only sent your one hundred dollars this week when you wanted more.

What Happens When You Follow These Steps?

When you follow these steps, you and your roommate will be able to function in a nice, peaceful manner. Roommates fight a lot, but with these steps, you two will be unstoppable.