Whether you’re hoping that your new roommate will become your best friend or you’re just hoping for someone who won’t steal your Easy Mac when you’re asleep, It’s easy to be anxious about sharing a room the size of a D-list celebrity’s closet with a stranger. Luckily, you don’t have to love your roomie and all her freaky habits in order to coexist peacefully! You may be in college now, but it’s time to think way back to your elementary school days and remember those basic tips for making new friends.
First and foremost, always follow the Golden Rule! How would you like it if she slammed her drawers shut while you were asleep? Would you be thrilled if she sexiled you for hours the night before a big exam? What if she “borrowed” your stuff without asking? When you’re living in such a small space, little annoyances can grow into full-blown problems pretty quickly. If you treat her the way you’d like to be treated, it’s likely that you’ll be able to avoid more than a few tense moments. Just be considerate!
That being said, unless you’re the luckiest girl ever, your huskymate will probably have some habits that get on your nerves. When you feel your blood start to boil, seriously consider whether or not you’re being a little (or a lot) irrational about the situation. Does it really matter that she never makes her bed, or that her mani-pedi routine makes the room smell a bit like a nail salon one night a week? Probably not! Choose your battles wisely. If what she’s doing is negatively affecting you in a meaningful way, it’s time to put on your big girl panties and pretend you’re a communications major. Say something! Be polite and respectful. Work out your differences with words—not dirty looks—and you’ll both be better off in the long run.
Now that you know how to handle some of the tough stuff, it’s time to have some fun! Does she love playing racquetball at the gym on weekends? Is your happy place a quiet corner of the Benton? Make plans to introduce each other to your favorite spots on campus, and you’ll get to know both UConn and each other a little better. Even a trip to a faraway dining hall can be a bonding experience. (Hint: I’m talking about heading to Towers for Pasta Bar night. Brave the crowds and share some breadsticks!)
If it’s just too cold to leave your room, all you need to do to break the ice with your roommate is share the stupidest YouTube video you’ve seen lately. If that doesn’t turn into an entire night watching funny cats caught on tape, don’t be afraid to just ask her about her day—and tell her about yours! A little bit of small talk can go a long way when you’re getting to know someone, and even if you two have already covered the basics, it’s always nice to know what’s going on in the daily life of the girl you sleep maybe six feet away from. Remember that Golden Rule? It’s not a bad idea to show you care about your roommates’ ridiculous assignments, family drama or boy troubles. Be the type of listener you’d like her to be for you.
There’s only one more tip I have to offer, and this one is tougher than you might think! You need to be yourself. It’s easy to feel like you’re living under a microscope when you’re suddenly confined to a small space with another girl, but trying to act like someone you’re not 24/7 will only make you a miserable, resentful mess. Unless “yourself” is a rude, smelly, extremely obnoxious person who clearly does NOT understand the Golden Rule, let your guard down and show off your silly side, your “I think I’m going to fail this exam!” side, and all the other sides in between. It’s perfectly fine that you still love *NSYNC, because maybe she sleeps in footie pajamas. Maybe one night the two of you can break it down to “Bye Bye Bye,” crazy pajamas and all.
It’s going to be a great year!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Conn chapter.