LIVING WITH A ROOMMATE

A Note On Expectations

Develop your roommate expectations based on respect, boundaries, and ability to be ok “just living together.” Not all roommates will become best friends, but will be great roommates. Studies show that there is no higher satisfaction whether living with a friend from high school or a randomly assigned individual.

Most students have never shared personal living space, like a bedroom, prior to attending college. Learning how to compromise and set boundaries is vital to the success of being able to live together. This is also important to chat about if you are sharing a space with a friend from high school. We have met with some students who would have made a different decision, as living together ultimately ruined their friendship.

Regardless of whether or not a student knew their roommate coming into college, 84% of UW-Platteville residence hall students reported that they are satisfied with their roommate living situation. That’s a pretty awesome statistic.

Manage Your Social Media

Our students who are randomly assigned, report they check social media when they receive their roommate’s name PRIOR to talking with them. Make sure your social media reflects how you would like to be portrayed.

The First Conversation

CAN

BE AWKWARD AND THAT’S OK.

Some of our residents report that they don’t know what to talk about, or how to begin the conversation with their new roommate. There is no perfect way, but friendliness, open communication about room dynamics, and excitement in attending UW-Platteville are good places to start.

BOUNDARIES, BOUNDARIES, BOUNDARIES

Establish boundaries based on your study habits, desire for privacy, and ability to maintain a healthy living environment. Learn to compromise on the little things, so you can stick to the issues that matter.

Top Ten Questions To Ask Your New Roommate

Which chores don’t you mind doing?

Directly asking a potential roommate how often they clean leaves some room for fabrication, so a better approach might be to ask them which chores they don’t mind. Then you can compromise, and while you’re vacuuming, they can take out the trash and recycling.

Do you smoke?

Tobacco use and vaping is prohibited in the residence halls, but many non-smokers have a hard time living with a student who smokes regularly. If you learn your potential roommate does smoke, make sure you come to agreeable terms in advance.

What time do you usually go to bed?

After a long night of studying, the last thing you want is to come back to your room to find your roommate watching a movie without headphones until 2 a.m. On the other hand, if you know you typically stay up a little later to finish your work, it might not be wise to room with someone who goes to sleep at 10 p.m. on the dot every night.

What time do you usually wake up?

Try to compare your schedules for the semester in advance. Conflicting schedules can cause friction between roommates, and being jolted awake by your roommates alarm is no fun for anyone.

How do you feel about overnight guests?

Proposing this question in this format is ideal because it gives you a chance to hear your roommate’s response first. Keep in mind you are sharing a living space and no one wants to feel uncomfortable in their own room. Be courteous of your roommate when it comes to having overnight guests.

Do you like the room warmer or colder?

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it won’t be when you wake up at 3 a.m. freezing after your roommate or suitemate lowered the thermostat by three degrees, or left the window open.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

It’s beneficial to learn what your roommate isn’t fond of in advance, especially if that pet peeve is something you do every day. This question might be a deal-breaker for some, but others may learn they share the same pet peeves as their new roommate.

How do you feel about sharing your personal belongings?

Coming home to your roommate wearing your new sweater without permission isn’t typically ideal. Clear up this foggy area in advance and—just to be safe— always ask permission before you take something that isn’t yours.

What are your study habits like?

Having a roommate that’s compatible on an academic level is a massive bonus. If you both study the same way and have the same classes, you basically have a study partner for free who lives with you. What could be better than that?

What’s your typical weekend like?

In the best-case scenario, your roommate will end up being a close friend of yours. Simple questions like these can test compatibility and give insight on whether you may be able to hang out outside of the halls as well. Even if their typical weekend sounds nothing like yours, you still might be super compatible and find some exciting new activities to do on weekends together.