For Rising College Freshmen – Getting Along with College Roommates
One of the biggest challenges many students face is getting along with other people, particularly roommates. Getting along with your roommate can help you enjoy college more so you can stay and successfully graduate.
- Open the lines of communication-Greet your roommate and start talking in a friendly manner. Ask some of the following questions:
- Where are you from?
- Why did you decide to come to this university? What do you like about it?
- What are you planning to major in?
- Do you play any games (for example, board games, cards, video games, fantasy football)?
- If they have a smart phone or tablet, start a game app with them such as the popular, “Words with Friends.” If you’re really good, make sure you remember some individuals can’t handle losing, so try not to beat them constantly or at least too easily. It might destroy your budding relationship. On the other hand, some people thrive on competition and it could make your relationship stronger.
- Find them on Facebook, Twitter or other social media. This gives you an opportunity to learn something about them to form a basis for starting a conversation.
- Establish common ground-Once you start talking and asking questions, focus on areas you have in common, such as background, home state or city, a love of reading, or rock climbing. This will help give you a jump-start for lively discussions on topics you both really enjoy and can hopefully help you become friends or at least happy acquaintances with your roommate. One student at the University of Virginia suggests: “Go out with your roommate. Even if you don’t like parties, go out somewhere on the grounds. The first few days before school starts there are tons of events going on-going with someone as new to the school as you are means you are in the same boat, plus you get to know them better when you see what they may or may not enjoy doing.”
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