Whether you are a freshman in college or a seasoned upperclassman, developing and maintaining roommate relationships can be a challenge. Everyone has their own expectations of roommates and it is not uncommon to feel a mix of emotions as you try to build positive connections in your apartment. We encourage you to befriend your roommates and have three steps to help you do so.
Watch this video and consider the following: What actions do you see that build and strengthen relationships between the roommates? What can you do today in your apartment that would build a friendship?
Being encouraging and friendly is an easy way to be great roommate and friend. Sometimes a simple invitation sparks lasting friendships. In this video, watch and see what power an invitation holds. You are attending BYU-Idaho to get a degree, but your roommates play a significant role in your life at college. Though you're busy, make sure to make time to be together. A few things you might do include:. Remember, you cannot control how others feel, act, or think, but you can still be a positive influence by focusing on your own efforts.
Sometimes colleges and universities offer themed dorms. Schools create these spaces so students can live together based on common interests. If you're nervous about moving into a dorm for the first time — or if you're naturally shy — then this could be a great way for you to connect with like-minded individuals.
Themed dorms are also a good way to meet and live with people who are passionate about a cause you care about. That depends on the college you attend. Many colleges allow students to choose their own roommates or request roommates; however, some colleges and universities still assign roommates to first-year students.
That said, if you end up with a completely incompatible roommate, you may be able to request a switch. Give other students a sense of who you are as a person and a roommate. Include the basics: your name, your age, your college major, and where you're from.
Then add insight into your personality, such as your hobbies, interests, sports team allegiances, and favorite books and movies. Finally, add details about your living habits — clean or messy, social or introverted, etc. Be honest to improve your chances of finding a good match. You should start looking for a college roommate the summer before the school year begins, although you can begin your search as soon as you're accepted into college.
Avoid leaving it until the last minute. If you wait until the week before the semester starts, you might struggle to find a good match. If you can find a friend to be your roommate, or if a trusted friend can vouch for a potential roommate, then that's a great place to start. If you discover a potential roommate online, use caution and common sense.
Try to meet that person first through a video call or face to face in a busy place. The timeline for finding a roommate varies for everyone.
Some students match with a roommate within a few days, while others search for weeks or even months. When you view your roommate information, we know that many of you will visit social networking sites such as Facebook as a first step. We encourage you to contact your new roommate s directly before making any judgments.
You should be on the Accepted page. The first step to developing positive roommate relationships is getting to know a little more about your roommate s. Try some of the following questions or open-ended statements to help break the ice:. Your responsibility as a community member is to respond to the needs of others in a manner that is characterized by respect and consideration.
If you are having problems with your roommate s or neighbors, and need assistance in addressing the issue, please see a hall staff member. They are well trained in resolving conflicts and are eager to assist you in developing an effective roommate relationships with your roommate s and neighbors.
It is commonly known that Berkeley is a culturally diverse environment. Because of the many different cultural perspectives, there is tremendous potential for learning and personal growth, not only about yourself, but also about your roommate s and neighbors. There is also the potential for misunderstanding. We are all going to make mistakes and no one is expected to be perfect.
Talking about your background from your perspective, while also listening to your roommate s and neighbors, will help set the stage for understanding one another. Open and honest communication will help you to negotiate your needs, to accept differences in values and lifestyles, and to reach mutual compromise when necessary. Be aware of the assumptions and generalizations you make about people. We all make generalizations and they are necessary in order for us to approach new situations.
When our generalizations become fixed or rigid, despite new evidence to the contrary, they become stereotypes. Acting on stereotypes often breaks down communication and can set up barriers between you and your neighbors. Over the course of four years, she learned sometimes the hard way to live with just about every personality type imaginable. My son, on the other hand, knew how to cope from Day One — he had previously spent four years in the Marine Corps.
Roommate conflicts are problems your student should be expected to resolve on their own. Learning to get along with all kinds of people is part of the growing up process.
Knowing there will be both good and bad roommates and how to cope with them will help you and your student during the next four years. Here's a breakdown of 10 different types of roommates your student might encounter in college and how to respond to them. I certainly did!
Remind your student that it's a two-way street — they're responsible for communicating and adapting as well. The Hermit prefers the comfort of the dorm room and rarely attends class. They might be found playing endless video games or binge watching the latest Netflix series. Showering and leaving the room is usually out of the question and, when asked to participate in any activity on campus, they usually grunt and ignore the invitation. My son shared a dorm room with this one his first year.
How did my son cope? He tried to include his roommate in social activities, but the roommate preferred to stay in. My son also invited friends over and tried to include his roommate in the conversation but usually to no avail.
After multiple failed attempts, I advised my son to watch for signs of depression or anti-social behavior in his roommate and report it to the RA if it worsened. After one semester, however, the roommate was put on academic suspension and returned home. They clean non-stop and insist that the room be clutter-free and spotless at all times. My daughter was a Neat Freak and struggled throughout college when her roommates didn't share her passion.
How did my daughter cope? She concentrated on her side of the room and tried her best to ignore the mess on the other side. Once she moved into a suite and multi-bedroom situation, she was much happier.
Does your student live with a Neat Freak? Encourage them to have a little compassion and try to keep the mess to a minimum. The Slob is one of the hardest roommates to coexist with, especially if you're a Neat Freak.
0コメント