Moving and Making Friends: Roommates

From meeting soulmates (at least for that week) to battling with your archnemesis living next door, college is full of a wide range of social encounters. Of all of your collegiate relationships, one person will have a huge impact on your freshman year: the person in the next bed over. Roommate relationships range from best friends who share everything to hostile dorm rooms separated by a line of tape. You are not only thrown into the whole new world of college, but you are designated a miniscule living space which you must share with a complete stranger. To establish and maintain a positive relationship, it is best to create an open forum for expectations on arrival.

By discussing your life styles and priorities, you can determine your similarities and potential problem areas. AU Resident Directors recommend drafting a Roommate Agreement. Each person agrees to follow specific guidelines that you and your roommate decide upon. For instance, you could have cleanliness expectations such as weekly cleaning days or set aside quiet hours for sleep.

One important factor to a successful roommate relationship is privacy. You will each need the room to yourself at some point, whether for an afternoon nap or an evening visitor. Share your schedules with one another and discuss how you will handle issues such as guests and sexile. It is important to use discretion and put yourself in your roommate's place.

Remember: however you treat your roommate, your roommate will treat you. No one wants to live in an uncomfortable or hostile environment. You do not need to be best friends with your roommate. In fact, many students say the best roommate relationships are with people who they do not consider close friends, only agreeable living companions. By discussing your living expectations, you and your roommate can work to create a positive freshman experience for one another.