Chances are that you have never had to share such a small living space with one or more people. Although you probably grew up in a house with your family, sharing your living environment with people less close to you is different. Living with roommates can sometimes be difficult, but it also has great advantages. There are ways to make life with roommates easier. The last thing you want is a disagreement with your roommate or roommates.
Introduction
An introduction is very important. Not an introduction where you get to know the name, age and history of that person, but an introduction where you get to know each other’s personality. If you know what someone is like, you can make clear agreements and possible compromises in advance. Some people are keen on cleaning and tidying up, while others care about completely different things. One person needs ten minutes in the bathroom in the morning, the other an hour. If you know this about each other, you can take each other into account and avoid clashes on sensitive topics. If you discover that your personalities clash on all fronts, you may want to think about whether you’re a good match.
Directness
Irritations often start with small things. It is important to open your mouth when they are still small, if they have been going on for a while an outburst may result. If your roommate always uses your stuff because she forgets her own stuff, it’s easy to say something about it. A calm comment is not a reason for an argument. Don’t be afraid to say what’s bothering you, it can be a great relief and it’s better than bottling up all your feelings.
Respect
Have respect for other people’s property. It is one of the values that you learn at an early age, and you should also adhere to this when you are older. Even though it may mean nothing to you if you borrow a hairbrush, you don’t know what the other person thinks about this. So always ask permission first before using something from someone else.
Visit
Bringing visitors may be something you really enjoy, but you need to know how your roommate feels about this. Who knows, maybe he or she really likes peace and quiet, but he or she doesn’t dare to say that directly. In addition, some study better in company, while others can concentrate alone in a calm and quiet environment. Of course, visitors should be allowed, but do this in moderation.
Friendliness
Just be friendly to each other, without assuming that you have to become best friends. It’s nice if you click well with your roommate and become good friends, but don’t assume this. The most important thing is that you get along normally and don’t find each other annoying. Also make sure that you have your own social life outside of your roommate, you don’t want to get tired of each other. That can happen if you become very good friends. So remember that friendship can also bring difficulties.
Be open
It is very important that you are open to new things. Your new roommate may come from a completely different world or culture than you do. This can apply to both culture and religion and influence manners and rules of behavior. Everyone has different rules of life, respect each other’s. So be open to each other, who knows, you might like it all very much. You may be able to benefit from your roommate’s different view of the world or society.
Not only must you be open to and show respect for a different vision and different rules of life, but you must also be open to changes in your life. You can’t both continue to live the way you want, without getting in each other’s way. So keep in mind that both of you will probably have to make adjustments. Don’t force or force yourself to do things you don’t want to do.