Housing
dealing with roommates welcome to uni and sharing your personal space We all want a space to call our own and not have to share with four other people. But in this economy, four roommates and a single bed will have to do. Living with roommates can be hard, but there are ways to make it easier. You may have a busy schedule, but it’s important to remember that your roommates are busy too. Be respectful of their schedules and requests, even if it means you have to stop listening to crime podcasts to go to sleep.
If you and your roommates create a ‘roomie contract’ for cleaning or whatever, actually stick to it. Set aside time for this and mark it in your personal calendar. You’re going to hear this advice everywhere, but do it. ACTUALLY DO IT!
Don’t let roomie ‘beef ’ just sizzle. Communication is key to every type of relationship, including the one between roommates. You and your roommates are adults. If issues come up, discuss them when they come up, not just when it’s convenient.
Pretty much any advice is: don’t be shitty. It’s pretty simple: about to do something shitty? Don’t! Roommates being shitty? Tell them they’re being shitty! Maybe don’t say ‘shitty’, try “I don’t like when you do _____.”
don’t forget!
“Everyone is weird in their own ways! Including you!” — Dr. Neil Armitage “Talk to your
roommates, they can provide great resources.“ — Jun Sian Lee
39