Roommate Etiquette 101

Roommates can sometimes be tough to navigate, but the struggle doesn’t have to be real if you just use communication. CREDIT:PEXELS

Due to the influx of future gryphons this fall, many students have found themselves in a different living situation than expected. Follow this guide to be the best roommate you can be and embrace the change!

LOREL DANIELOV

About a year and a half ago, at 18 years old, I decided that UofG was the school for me. With so many unique qualities, how could I not choose Guelph? Good program, beautiful campus, great food, and a reasonable distance from home. Yet, the one thing that stuck out to me the most was something I found in U of G that I couldn't find anywhere else; the student life.

The freedom to be who I wanted, talk to who I wanted, and go where I wanted was thrilling. U of G was a fresh start - one I was completely comfortable with and willing to jump on. Well, that was until I found out that I would have a roommate.

Yes, yes, having a roommate isn't the worst thing in the world, but I was scared and didn't know what to expect. The closest I came to a roommate was on the fortunate occasion my dog would try and scratch his way through my door. And believe me, sharing a room with him is not a piece of cake.

Plus, the added pressure of having a good relationship with my roommate was enough of a cause of concern for me to turn into preparation mode. I wanted to do everything right. And now, a year later, after having lived with a roommate, I picked up some tricks. I think it's only fair, considering this year's housing crisis and the reality of student life, that I share them with you. This way, anyone who has found themselves living with an unexpected roommate can see that it's not so bad so long as you follow these few rules.

Set boundaries!

Living with a roommate can be daunting, especially when you don't know your roommate well. That's why it's best to advocate for yourself and set boundaries early. Boundaries will allow you to both freely and comfortably coexist. As important as being friendly with your roommate is, it's equally important to maintain a healthy, balanced relationship where you respect each other's boundaries. Even after living with a roommate, I occasionally struggle with this. For example, there were times when I wanted to get to bed early, but my roommate didn't. As a result I ended up being late to class. So, believe me when I say that boundaries are necessary!

A good rule of thumb is to try your best to offer a resolution that meets both needs. A strategy for this could be to jot down a reasonable list of boundaries you would like to set and then go through it with your roommate and make the necessary adjustments to satisfy both requirements. That way, the rest of your year will be smooth sailing, and if necessary, you can refer back to the list and reassess.

At the end of the day, remember that you don't need to be afraid to draw the line; trust me, you and your roommate's future selves will thank you.

ICON BY FLATICON

Get to know your roommate!

As simple as it is, the best way to enjoy your time with a roommate is to SPEND time with them. As tempting as it is to form an opinion before getting to know someone, that doesn't work when it comes to a roommate. If you want to coexist with someone, you will have to learn as much as they are willing to give and vice versa. Maybe suggest a lunch, a walk around campus, or an activity you could do together that you enjoy. You’ll be in a familiar and comfortable environment while still putting yourself out there.

Even if this doesn't result in a best friend, that doesn't mean you can't be friendly. Don't be discouraged if this is your situation. Being friendly but not best friends with your roommate is perfectly normal. Just remember that just like your best friend won't necessarily make a good roommate, a good roommate won't necessarily make a best friend.

Having roommates is not a perfect science, so why not make it easier on yourself by understanding your roommate the best you can?

Cleanliness is key! Nobody likes dealing with messes, especially not somebody else's. As much as you may think this rule is self-explanatory and straightforward, you'd be shocked at the number of people who seem to forget its importance.

If you and your roommate are sharing a space, a helpful tip might be to create a system or schedule that explicitly allocates a time for what and when you and your roommate should be cleaning up.

Although a tidied room is always appreciated, if you can contain your mess to your side of the room, that will show your roommate that you value what you have and are taking the steps necessary to coexist with them successfully.

Good communication!

As the American singer, Daniel Johnson once said, “don't let the sun go down on your grievances”. No matter how big or small, your feelings are valid. Like I said before, advocating for yourself is the most important thing you can do for your well-being. If there is something you don't like or if something doesn't sit right with you, it's always better to mention it rather than keep it to yourself and let the problem escalate.

A helpful tip may be to create a safe environment with your roommate where you both feel comfortable enough to share your thoughts and concerns. So when something inevitably comes up, you will know how to handle it.

As scary as it can be, advocating for yourself becomes much easier once you make that safe environment. I know it did for me.

One thing to remember is that everybody comes from different walks of life, and eventually, you will meet somebody who does something different from what you do. It's best to be ready for that, so you're prepared for anything the world throws at you when that time comes. You can't control someone else's attitude, but you can control yours.Having a positive one will make the year substantially easier.

With the surge of new students, this year's class has been left with tons of housing uncertainty, so many students didn't get what they were hoping for but take it from someone who has done this before:you will get through it and it will get easier. As long as you are putting your best foot forward, everything will be okay.

My only hope is that this story makes its way into the hands of a scared first year with an unexpected roommate and that it calms some of those nerves I know that you're having right now because, well, hey! Who is more qualified to touch on this topic than I am? After all, that was me about a year and a half ago.