We’ve all read the horror stories of friends deciding to become roommates, but have you ever heard ones that actually work out? For a lot of people, living with their friends sounds like a never-ending slumber party. And it can be! But you need to understand a few things before signing that lease. Here are some tips and tricks that can help make rooming with your friends a joyful experience.
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
I cannot stress the importance of communication enough. From the get-go, you should talk with your friends about items you need or find comfortable in a living situation. You don’t want to go in without discussing important matters such as the AC temperature or when to be left alone.
TIME MANAGEMENT
When living with friends, you are going to find yourself constantly neglecting your responsibilities. Personally, I knew this was going to be an issue. My solution was to make it known to my friends that I will be busy. There will be times when I cannot hang out with the rest of them. I also advise to find a quiet place in your house or apartment where you can work without distractions. If there are no places in your home then I would suggest finding a nearby coffee shop or nook on campus to get work done.
BE PATIENT WITH YOUR FRIENDS
While living with friends, it’s best to develop patience with them. While not living in the same space you may enjoy the time together, things can change when you start to be around each other 24/7. As time goes on, you will begin to learn each other’s pet peeves and how to accommodate one another. If you or your friends cannot be patient with each other then living together probably isn’t the best option.
PERSONAL TIME
Something that I’ve found helpful in maintaining my patience is making sure I set time to be by myself. While I enjoy being with my friends, I also need personal space away from people. I recommend using this alone time to study, do homework or relax and watch Netflix. Personal time is incredibly important because you can find yourself running out of steam pretty often in college and this would be a moment where you can recharge.
ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES
I saved this for last because I think this one is SUPER important to the success of rooming with friends. Boundaries apply to practically everything in the house: food, toilet paper, kitchen supplies, clothes, you name it. Before moving in, you and your friends should communicate what you are okay with sharing and what you want left alone. Doing this beforehand will prevent many problems that could arise in the future.
Bedrooms are another important boundary that should be talked about. If you or a friend are sharing a room, talk about what is and is not allowed inside the room. If everyone has their own room, make it known if others are allowed to enter your room when you are not there. For example, in my living situation, my friends know to leave me alone if my door is closed, but if they really need something they can knock on the door and poke their head in.
Following these tips can greatly improve the college roommate experience with friends. It is important to remember the reasons why you moved in with your friends if living situations get tough. Everyone has their own struggles, so be aware of how you treat one another and be there for anyone in the house who needs a shoulder to cry on. Have fun and good luck!
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