How To Deal With Roommates
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If you are currently attending school or are a new student, it is highly likely that you will have the opportunity to meet new individuals. It becomes essential for you to take on the responsibility of dealing with, forming connections with, and potentially establishing close relationships with these people.
Individuals from different backgrounds and personalities come together to learn in an academic or school environment. These individuals can be your classmates, colleagues, church or fellowship members, neighbours, hostel mates, or roommates.
Regardless of the category they fall into, we must form bonds with them, but it is not enough to just bond – it is equally important to live peacefully with them. If you have a roommate, whether you live off-campus or in a hostel, I will provide ten tips on effectively living in harmony with them until you graduate.
Please continue reading until the end for these valuable tips.
Get your Mattress/properties.
Have you ever heard someone say, “Oh no, my bed can’t fit both of us” or “From now on, you can’t use my cooking utensils”? Well, it seems like this is more common among females, especially after an argument or when one person steals the other’s boyfriend.
To avoid talks-that-are-worthy-of-a-punch like that, it’s important to have your own belongings, like a mattress or other personal items, when leaving your respective homes. It’s fine to share with others, but if they don’t want to share, it’s important to have something to rely on so you don’t end up sleeping on the cold floor.
Make sure not to share items of clothing.
Roommates often have a habit of sharing clothing items, which is actually inappropriate. If you don’t have enough clothes to look as stylish as your roommate, it’s important to maintain your self-respect and resist the temptation to wear their wigs or T-shirts for your own activities or classes.
People will notice that the items don’t belong to you, and it could lead to embarrassment in the future, even if your roommate doesn’t mind. Additionally, there is a risk of unknowingly transferring diseases if your roommate has any.
Respect each other’s privacy.
If you are someone who enjoys socializing and playing around, it is important to be aware of when your roommates may not be in the same mood. Failing to do so could lead to negative consequences, such as being reprimanded.
However, my main point is to emphasize the importance of respecting boundaries and not being tempted to snoop through your roommate’s belongings, whether it’s their stuff, phone, or diary.
It’s crucial to recognize that you simply share a living space and are not related by blood or any other close connection. When your roommate explicitly asks you not to touch something, it is important to be mature and refrain from touching it, even when they are not present.
Learn to say sorry.
Living with family members often leads to conflicts and disagreements, so it’s even more likely to have similar issues when living with strangers from different families.
Inevitably, fights may occur, but instead of holding onto grudges, it is important to apologize and throw out your pride in the room’s garbage. By doing so, you can create a peaceful living environment for everyone involved.
Share duties/responsibilities
If you and your roommate have developed a close bond where you feel like siblings, it’s important to share responsibilities. For example, if one person is cooking, the other person can take care of sweeping.
This will help create a more equal dynamic and prevent one person from feeling like they are in charge. Additionally, if you are responsible for sharing bills, make sure to pay them on time. Avoid giving constant excuses and delaying or postponing payments.
If you cannot pay, it’s better to communicate honestly with your roommate rather than try to avoid the situation. Acting dishonestly will only reflect poorly on your character and show a lack of consideration for others.
Control anger/ learn to accept people the way they are
Living with others means you should anticipate the possibility of being offended. It’s important to avoid reacting with anger or throwing punches when there is a small misunderstanding.
Instead, work on controlling your emotions and accepting people as they are. If you find yourself too upset, it may be best to temporarily leave the room and return when you have calmed down.
Do not bring visitors of the opposite sex.
Yes, this particular message is specifically intended for young schoolmates and partly females. It is advised not to invite your girlfriends to spend the night in your shared room. This can create an uncomfortable situation for your roommate, who would have to search for another room to sleep in for the night.
It is disappointing for them, considering they have also contributed financially to the room. If you happen to have a roommate like me, we would share the same bed with your girlfriend, as I would not leave the room under any circumstances.
It is recommended to take your opposite-sex friend to a hotel or another location where someone’s peace and comfort will not be compromised for the sake of having fun.
Do not share his/her secrets outside.
If you happen to discover your roommate’s most personal secrets or painful experiences, it is important to keep them confidential, even if it means taking the secret to your grave. Respecting their privacy in this way will enhance their sense of safety and trust in you. It is important to honour and protect their secrets, even if they may cause you emotional pain.
Learn to cook
Don’t let yourself be tormented by others who belittle you for lacking cooking skills. There are plenty of resources available, such as YouTube tutorials or finding someone who can teach you. Don’t go hungry just because your roommate says, “So na only me go dey cook??”
Avoid arguments
Ultimately, the root cause of many of the problems we aim to avoid and live harmoniously with our roommates is often arguments. It is advisable to avoid engaging in arguments with your roommate, just like you would try to avoid catching a cough.
Even if your roommate initiates an argument, it is best to politely excuse yourself and refrain from getting involved in it.
Also Read: Relationship Gist Today – 5 Bad Habits Men Should Immediately Stop Displaying In Relationships
Take Home
Suppose you make it a priority to adhere to all of the guidelines for addressing roommate conflicts. In that case, you can confidently anticipate leaving the school at the end of the academic year without getting your head broken from fights or swollen from arguments.
It’s important to note that having difficulties with your roommate can also impact your academic pursuits, so it’s advisable to actively avoid any form of violence. May peace be with you!
