Straight out of your teenage bedroom to your new college residence hall at Tarleton State University! Honestly, finding your roommate and getting ready to move into your res hall may be the most exciting thing about college. Aside from all the new decor, being on your own for the first time and the excitement of meeting new friends, there is still one aspect that everyone has to get used to. Can you guess?
You guessed it. Roommates. Of course everyone will have their own experience with roommates, but we’re here to give you a few tips that you can carry with you to your res hall or college apartment. P.S. If you plan on attending Tarleton State and are an admitted student, go ahead and pause so you can fill out your housing application! The earlier the better so you can get your room assignment and find that roommate! 🙂
- Get to know them
It is true you don’t really know someone until you live with them, but we still recommend getting to know them before moving in. Whether that looks like following them on social media or meeting up for a quick cup of coffee, carving out a little time to familiarize yourself with your new roommate can make all the difference. Even if that simply means following us on social media, your experience will be so much better if you know a little bit about your roommate’s background, interests, and personality!
- Communication is key
Use your words! The majority of upsets with roommates could have been avoided if there was a conversation. We may think another person is a mind-reader, but if something is bothering you… TALK. IT. OUT. Most college roommates will be a random assignment so it’s a good idea to communicate everything you feel to help with relationship building. Transparency and communication is key.
- Spend time apart
It’s great if you develop a tight relationship with your roommate, but everyone deserves some space to themselves or with other people. We recommend getting involved on campus! Getting involved on campus gives you and your roommate the opportunity to explore your interests outside of each other. Who knows? You might even find a new community of people you would have never discovered otherwise.Â
- Be considerate
Respect your roommate and set boundaries. Chances are you’ve heard someone say “treat others how you would want to be treated”. That golden rule especially applies when you’re sharing a living space with someone! It is always a good idea to check with your roommate first before you invite a friend over, or eat one of their snacks!Â
- Share responsibilities
We know, we know, taking out the trash and cleaning are just not FUN. But your shared living space is you and your roommates responsibility. If you eat cereal, don’t expect your roommate to clean it up for you. Responsibility is important in college, whether it is with relationships, your school work, chores, etc.,you do not want to lack in the responsibility department.Â
- Keep an open mind
College is all about keeping an open mind. It is important to remember that college brings all different kinds of people with different backgrounds together. It is important to realize that and be open and flexible. Being open-minded is a skill you should keep with you in all walks of life! You truly never know where your open-mindedness will take you.
- Good friends do not always make good roommates.
Sometimes living with your best friends is not the best idea. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be best friends with someone just because you aren’t roommates. This goes back to being open-minded. College is going to bring you some of the best friends of your life. Your maid of honor or best man may just be that first college roommate you had in Legends Hall at Tarleton State!
All in all, your experience is what you make of it! Roommates are a special part of your college experience so we hope you find these tips helpful! Tarleton State offers modern residence hall options and an easy housing application that helps pair you with roommates that match your personality type. Check out Tarleton’s residence hall options here.Â