Making the most of living at the University Bluffs begins by getting settled in and getting to know your roommate. Whether you are old friends or you just met, developing a healthy relationship will help living together be more comfortable. While you are not required to become close friends, sharing a living space will ensure you interact with one another on a daily basis.
Before You Move In
Prior to arriving, try reaching out and discussing what each of you plan to bring and what kind of relationship you are hoping to have with one another. Keep in mind that social media may not provide an accurate depiction of others and give yourself the opportunity to get to know this new person for who they truly are.
Topics to Discuss
- How early will you be waking up?
- How late will you be staying up?
- How often do you plan to be in the room?
- What do you plan to use the room for?
- When and where do you plan to study?
- What kind of space do you need to study?
- How often will we clean the apartment?
- Who will clean what?
- What items are you willing to share?
- What items are you not willing to share?
- What is your ideal temperature for the apartment?
- How do you feel about having guests over?
- How frequently do you plan to have guests over?
- What are your thoughts on having overnight guests?
- How should we address conflicts between us?
- How will we confront each other?
- Does in-person communication work better for solving problems?
- How will we involve our CA in working through any potential conflicts?
Communication
Great roommates openly communicate, respect one another, and willfully compromise. Share your concerns with your roommate; it is possible that your roommate may not be aware that you have this concern.
- Be Calm – the way in which you approach a conflict can make the issue either easier to address or escalate it.
- Talk to Your Roommate – it’s best to address problems directly with your roommate, rather than complain to other people.
- Timeliness – Address the issues with your roommate in a timely fashion; the sooner the better.
- Work it Out – It is important to realize you are working with your roommate to resolve issues.
- Listen – It is important to listen to what your roommate has to say. Often, a conflict is a two-way street and you should be willing to hear their concerns, too.
- Compromise – You and your roommate may not have identical preferences for the apartment. Be willing to compromise, but stay true to yourself.
- Think about the Future – Dwelling on past issues will not improve the situation. Create a plan to address conflicts that may arise in the future.
- Consult – You are not alone at the Bluffs. The Community Assistants and Area Coordinator are here to support and assist you in resolving issues in your apartment.
- Being a Good Neighbor – Creating relationships with your neighbors next to/above/below is important! This way you can resolve any minor issues by establishing a connection and communicating effectively.