Many people nowadays, whether in college or working, choose to live with a roommate. This is very efficient because you and one or two other people can divide the expenses around the house or apartment. It’s become ideal and cost-effective to live with roommates.
But that’s not to say that it’s easy. Living with a roommate can have challenges of its own. Wondering whether you and your roommate will get along is a common worry amongst people, especially those who have never experienced it before. But despite the downs, there are plenty of benefits to having a roommate. You get to share expenses and form a lasting friendship. Plus, you have a helping hand in household chores. Here are some tips to be a good roommate.
Communicate
Effective communication is an important thing to practice when living with others. Because you’ll be sharing a space for a while, you’ll need to respect each other’s needs and preferences. You might be the type of person who doesn’t like music while studying, but your roommate likes to blast loud music all day. You have to learn to communicate things like this and come to a compromise or agreement so that both people are happy.
Respect each other’s privacy
Just because you live together, doesn’t mean you can use each other’s stuff. Unless you give each other consent, try not to touch their belongings. This is the most common reason for arguments among roommates. So if you want to avoid any hard feelings or conflict, always mind the other’s privacy.
If you want to have a private space of your own despite living with a roommate, consider installing internal sliding glass doors to divide your respective rooms. That way, you can share common areas like the dining room and kitchen, but at the same time have a place where you can be alone.
Be open to change
The chances of you having a roommate who’s exactly like you and shares the same likes and preferences are not that high. Chances are, you’ll find someone who belongs to a different background and has a different culture and way of doing things. As much as possible, try to be open to diversity.
Respect your differences with your roommate and be willing to adjust your actions to suit each other. You and your roommate will change a lot during the time you live together. But remember that change is constant and you should embrace it instead of letting it ruin your relationships.
Inform each other about plans involving the house
Remember that your house is your roommate’s too. So you should be mindful of each other when making plans and decisions around the house. Let each other know when you’re bringing people over, or if you’re hosting a party, etc. Make the simple act of acknowledging your roommate’s role in decision-making.
Practice the golden rule
The golden rule is to treat others how you would want to be treated. This becomes more applicable when living with a roommate. Would you like it if they left their dirty dishes on the sink without washing them? If not, then you shouldn’t do it either. Simply practising the golden rule in your household will go a long way in maintaining your relationship with your roommate.
Having a roommate can be a great experience, as long as you forge a good relationship with the people you’re living with. With these tips, you’re bound to have a lasting companionship with your roommate.
