Straight out of your teenage bedroom to your new college dorm at Tarleton State University! Not going to lie, finding your roommate and getting ready to move into your dorm 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?
Yep. Roommates. Of course everyone will have their own experience with roommates, but i am here to give you a few tips that you can carry with you to the dorm and even your college apartment.
P.S. if you plan on attending Tarleton and are an admitted student, go ahead and pause from this blog and fill out your housing application! The earlier the better so you can get your room assignment and find that roommate! 🙂
Back to the tips:
- Get to know them
It is true you don’t really know someone until you live with them, but i still recommend getting to know them before moving in. Whether that is following them on social media or meeting up for lunch! We have an Instagram and Facebook account that is a great way to connect with us and future Texans! 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. A lot of times 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 like they would need to know about you to help with relationship building.
- Spend time apart
It is great if you develop a tight relationship with your roommate, but everyone deserves some space to themselves or with other people. I recommend getting involved on campus! Check out Tarleton’s student organizations here. What you get involved in may not be the same as your roommate, so it is the perfect opportunity to do your own thing!
- Be considerate
Respect your roommate and set boundaries. Just like your mom said “treat others how you would want to be treated”. It is always a good idea to check with your roommate first before you invite a friend over, or eat one of their snacks!
- Share responsibilities
I know, I 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.
- 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! Maybe you think your roommate is crazy for eating crawfish, but when you head over to “The Shack” in Stephenville for some crawfish it becomes your new FAVORITE place!
- 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!
All in all, your experience is what you make of it! Roommates are a special part of your college experience so I hope you find these tips helpful! Tarleton 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.