| It's hard enough sharing a dorm room the size of a | | | | spends time with or when, but you do have a say |
| postage stamp with one person, but what happens | | | | when it affects your time in the room.o Avoid |
| when your roommate consistently invites friends and | | | | accusations. Starting your sentences with, "you," |
| dates to hang out too? Even if you all get along, it | | | | sounds like an attack and will likely make your |
| can get old fast. Sometimes you just want a little | | | | roommate defensive, as in: "You are being selfish." |
| privacy. At the very least, you don't want to feel like | | | | Instead, own your message by starting with, "I," as |
| an outsider in your own room. | | | | in: "I'm unhappy with this situation."o Set reasonable |
| Whether you're dealing with your roommate's ever | | | | expectations. If you leave the room every time your |
| present love interest, or his obnoxious friends who | | | | roommate has over a date or friend, he or she will |
| "borrow" your stuff, you need to speak up. | | | | assume nothing is wrong, and the problem will persist. |
| Roommate issues like this don't go away by ignoring | | | | Both sides need to compromise instead of one |
| them, so it's best to be upfront and work together | | | | person making all the changes.o Make a schedule. |
| to reach an understanding. Here are some tips that | | | | Discuss times when both of you need space to |
| will help:o Keep an open mind. It's possible that your | | | | study, sleep, or just be alone and agree to make |
| roommate has no idea there's a problem, so don't | | | | those times off-limits to guests. |
| assume he's trying to annoy you on purpose.o Pick | | | | If you don't like conflict, you may be tempted to |
| the right time to talk. Choose a time to speak to | | | | avoid it by gossiping to other friends or complaining |
| your roommate when the two of you can be alone. | | | | to your Resident Assistant without ever talking to |
| Explain that you have nothing against the other | | | | your roommate first. Going around the issue will only |
| people involved, but you feel uncomfortable having | | | | makes things worse! By approaching your roommate |
| them around all the time.o Be assertive. Stand up for | | | | calmly and respectfully, the two of you can work out |
| your own rights while respecting the rights of your | | | | an agreement that's fair without things getting blown |
| roommate. You can't control who your roommate | | | | out of proportion. |