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| College Life |
For many college students, having a roommate is a new experience. It is easy to understand why conflicts occur between roommates. At least some of these conflicts can be avoided by taking the time to develop a roommate contract at the beginning of the school year. A roommate contract will allow you to lay out some basic ground rules for the room and reduce the likelihood of surprises later on.
Make sure the roommate agreement includes how to share the roommates' individual belongings. Is it okay to use the other roommate's iPod, computer, television etc.? Include in the contract things such as who is responsible for replacing the ink if you are sharing a printer. Can you eat each other's food? Can you borrow each other's clothing? Are there any specific items that are off limits to the other roommate?
Think about schedules. What is your class schedules like? Would you consider yourself a night person or a morning person? Are there times when the room should be quiet for studying or sleeping? Consider putting some "alone time" or "private time" into the schedule - even the most compatible roommates need some time to themselves.
What about friends and visitors? Is it okay for visitors to hang out in the room? What about if your roommate is studying? Can visitors stay overnight? Is there a time of day that is too early or too late for friends to visit?
Talk about noise levels. Do you like music always playing? What about the television? Maybe your roommate plays an instrument like the guitar or keyboard. One roommate might be perfectly happy with a lot of noise and activity in the room, and the other roommate might want it quieter.
Alcohol consumption is illegal for anyone under 21. Therefore, if alcohol found in a dorm room there can be some serious ramifications for both roommates. Both roommates need to agree on whether or not alcohol is permitted in your dorm room.
Having a roommate contract will not guarantee that college roommates will not have arguments. However, it should begin the dialogue which should lessen the opportunity for disagreements and frustrations. Whether it is formal or informal, a roommate contract makes a lot of sense.
Make sure the roommate agreement includes how to share the roommates' individual belongings. Is it okay to use the other roommate's iPod, computer, television etc.? Include in the contract things such as who is responsible for replacing the ink if you are sharing a printer. Can you eat each other's food? Can you borrow each other's clothing? Are there any specific items that are off limits to the other roommate?
Think about schedules. What is your class schedules like? Would you consider yourself a night person or a morning person? Are there times when the room should be quiet for studying or sleeping? Consider putting some "alone time" or "private time" into the schedule - even the most compatible roommates need some time to themselves.
What about friends and visitors? Is it okay for visitors to hang out in the room? What about if your roommate is studying? Can visitors stay overnight? Is there a time of day that is too early or too late for friends to visit?
Talk about noise levels. Do you like music always playing? What about the television? Maybe your roommate plays an instrument like the guitar or keyboard. One roommate might be perfectly happy with a lot of noise and activity in the room, and the other roommate might want it quieter.
Alcohol consumption is illegal for anyone under 21. Therefore, if alcohol found in a dorm room there can be some serious ramifications for both roommates. Both roommates need to agree on whether or not alcohol is permitted in your dorm room.
Having a roommate contract will not guarantee that college roommates will not have arguments. However, it should begin the dialogue which should lessen the opportunity for disagreements and frustrations. Whether it is formal or informal, a roommate contract makes a lot of sense.
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