LEANNE SANTAMARIA/SC Staff Writer
It is extremely important to be comfortable enough with your roommate(s) where you can easily approach him or her. Tolerating someone who is not respecting you can be hard, which is why you need to approach them. Explain how you feel and what the problem is. Form a compromise with each other, so you have specific rules. For example, have him or her consult with you first before bringing people into the room, have set times to be back, and respect each other by not making noise when you are trying to sleep. If none of these work, then it is best to meet with your R.A. for further assistance.
The one thing about roommates that I have learned is to not be afraid to communicate. You should feel absolutely comfortable telling them exactly how you feel about something, whether it’s good or bad. This makes your friendship stronger, and a chance to actually tell the truth without sugar coating things. If you are a freshman, this could be hard because you are just getting used to them-especially at the beginning of the year. You may be walking on eggshells around them, and feel embarrassed to confront them about something that is bothering you. My advice is to say it and get it over with.
Dorm living can be really frustrating because your “home” is one tiny room that you have to share with somebody. There’s no doubt that bickering will occur and disagreements will surface. It is just a matter of how you handle the situation. You may have one roommate who loves to go out and come home late, and you may have a roommate who loves staying in. This could develop into major trouble. Figure things out, compromise and respect what each of you has to say. We are now considered adults, so we have to approach things in a mature fashion. Of course this isn’t always the case due to certain circumstances, but when you finally feel comfortable enough to tell your roommate(s) how you feel, things will eventually fall into place.
