Roommates, Floormates, and Other People You’ll Meet
I know that a lot of people worry about whether or not they’ll get along with their roommate when they move into their college dorm. That leads to anxiety about making friends and other social aspects of the college life. Despite the many qualms you may have about leaving home and starting fresh at a big (or small) university, I think the main trick is don’t sweat it.
Roommates
Your roommate may or not become your best friend. But no matter, you should realize that you will have to be flexible, and you will have to be considerate of the other person living in your room. Leave any immaturity or self-centeredness at home because there’s just no place for that kind of behavior when you’re meeting someone new and sharing a room with them that you both have to call home. Here are a few tips I have that I think can make the transition easier:
- Discuss your lifestyle with your roommate, and listen to his/hers as well. Tell each other about your needs and the things you really can’t compromise on.
- Make a written agreement about certain things and promise each other you’ll abide by them to the best of your ability. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a list of rules – like “don’t do this” and “don’t do that” – but just lay down some boundaries and ground rules that will keep both of you happy. We had to do this at my school, and I found it useful, especially for those who never really talked about their needs and wants with each other.
- “Pick your battles.” By this I mean don’t flip out over every little thing. Sometimes it’s best to just shrug it off and forgive if it’s something minor. But if a big problem does arise, be calm and and civil about it. You can work out your problems – and in most cases, avoid them – if you both act maturely.
Basically, the key is to communicate and be respectful of each other. No relationship is perfect, but the one with your roommates can be good as long as you both put in a little effort to be considerate of each other.
Floormates
These are your neighbors and the other people who live around you. You will probably share a bathroom with them and possibly even a floor lounge. Although you don’t sleep in the same room, you do sort of live with these people, too, so remember to be considerate of them as well. Clean up after yourself in the bathroom; for instance, flush the toilet and don’t leave your hair in the drain if you shed in the shower. The cleaning workers can’t be cleaning up after you all the time, and if you can clean up your own mess, you should. It’s not fair to the staff and your neighbors if you leave a mess. This goes for floor lounges, too, if you have one. Don’t make a big mess and leave it there, because others want to use that space.
Also, be aware of the noise level. Although there are walls between rooms, they are not necessarily sound-proof. Keep in mind that people study and sleep in the dorms, so if it’s late, try to keep your voice or your music down. If someone else is too loud, just knock on their door and politely ask them to be a little quieter. Everyone living there has the right to some peace and quiet – because it’s their home – so you need to be respectful.
And Everyone Else
You will encounter all kinds of people when you go to college. In addition to your roommates and other peers, there are many other people in the residence halls. Here are some people you might meet:
- Your RA – A resident advisor is an upperclassman who basically monitors the goings-on on your floor. He or she will most likely welcome you to the school and tell you all this heyday about living in the dorms. Your RA may call floor meetings every so often so that everyone can discuss any problems, issues, or upcoming events. You can also go to your RA for advice or if you have any problems.
- The RD – A resident director is an adult employed by the school to be in charge of the entire residence hall. The RD is responsible for the whole residence hall, and they care kind of like the super version of an RA. If your RA can’t help you with a problem in the dorm, the RD can most likely help.
- The staff – Everyone else who works in the dorms, such as the custodians and maintenance workers. Be nice to these people because they’re the ones who keep the place clean and functioning the way it is supposed to!