Coming to college brings on a wide range of new experiences, such as meeting people from different cities, states and even countries. You also experience living without your parents doing everything for you, or always looking over your shoulder. You have more free time and harder classes, and, as everyone has heard so often, you have to learn to manage your time.
But most of all, at least your freshman year, you are living with someone who is not related to you and probably not your best friend. This can be scary for some people-actually, most people-but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. All you have to do is respect and communicate with your roommate. If you feel strongly about something, you should let him know, and then ask if he has a personal preference about anything. Also, respect your roommate’s wishes. It’s not always easy for someone to tell a stranger how he feels about something, so if he has the courage to tell you about it, you should have the decency to honor his request.
You have your things, and he has his. Be courteous and leave his stuff alone or ask before using it. Most people will say ‘yes’ if it is a trivial thing, or ‘no’ if they feel strongly about the item, but it is better to ask and be safe rather than sorry. And no matter who brought the refrigerator, it is there for both of you to use. If you brought it, don’t be snotty about what can or cannot be in it; and if your roommate brought it, respect what he puts in it, and also respect his wish not to have something in it-especially if it is not exactly legal.
Next matter of business-guests in the room. Once again, your roommate should not have a problem with this as long as you are respectful about it. DO be careful of his valuable things, and respect where he has things placed. DO NOT mess with his computer, use his bed to sleep in, or his pillows to sit or sleep on, or put trash in his desk drawers. Although these examples might seem extreme, they do, and have, happened.
Nighttime etiquette-this is a very important issue. Some people work night jobs or have late classes, while others might have early classes or early morning jobs. For this reason, you must respect your roommate’s right to get sleep when he can. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do homework if you get in late and your roommate is already asleep; just be quiet about it. Don’t slam books, yell in frustration or bang on your keyboard. On the other hand, if you have an early morning class don’t set your alarm too loud, don’t crash around in the bathroom and don’t disturb your sleeping roommate in any other way.
The most important thing to remember is that there are two people living in your room. Your roommate is another human being and wants to enjoy his freedom as much as you do yours. Just don’t step on his toes-you have to live with him the rest of the year. And remember, if you respect him, he will respect you.