Preparing for college

Dorm life, living with a stranger!

“Dorm life is about patience, compromise and giving”

“Dorm rooms are a combination of library, recreation room, bedroom, and haven from the storms of the first year of college. They're truly an all-purpose room.” http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000023.htm

Tips to getting along with your roommate:

Being pared with a “good” freshman roommate is all about the luck of the draw. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to be best friends; you just need to get along. Let these relationships form naturally, but when you are sharing a small place with a person that you don’t initially know, it’s important to respectful, have an open mind and be willing to compromise.

• Contact your roommate before move-in date. This will enable you to find out a little bit about the person that you will be living with for the next year, as well as figuring out who will bring what to the room. Discuss who will bring the phone, the TV, the fridge, the microwave, the stereo and so on, because you don’t need two of everything.
• Set up house rules. This should be done ASAP. Be honest with yourself and your roommate about the way you live. For example, discuss sleeping habits, whether you’re a neat freak or if you could care less if there are piles of clothes everywhere. Discuss noise tolerance; do you mind loud music in the morning or do you need more quiet. Set boundaries regarding if you mind your roommate borrowing your stuff.
• Construct roommate rituals. By getting together with your roommate once in a while to get lunch, catch a movie or watch your favorite TV show will help build understanding and respect between you two.
• Keep the lines of communication open. If something is not working for you, be honest. Don’t be afraid to say something because if you bottle up your irritation, you will eventually burst.
• Common courtesy and empathy must be present for successful roommate relationships. Be sure to take down and communicate your roommate’s phone messages. Be sensitive to how your roommate feels about girlfriends or boyfriends staying overnight. Be encouraging and supportive when your roommate is stressed about a big exam!
• Avoid the freshman 15! Find balance in your diet, be sure to get enough sleep, and go to the gym or play a club sport.
• If all efforts have been made to get along and your living situation becomes unbearable, speak to your RA to discuss finding a better arrangement.

Reprinted from http://life.familyeducation.com/respect/college-preparation/29719.html

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