Even if you’re blessed with a great roommate, there is still a chance you two will hit some bumps in the road. When you’re living in a tight space with another person, it’s only natural to hit some rocky patches. The trick is to prevent slight disagreements from exploding into unnecessary battles. Preventing a blow up will save you both time and energy.
1. Take a step back. Before you get worked up over something, relax for a minute. Are you really that angry that your roommate left the window open or are you actually stressed about your upcoming Finance midterm? Make sure your anger isn’t misdirected before you bring it up to your roommate.
2. Pick your battles. Just because you like to have your closet perfectly organized, doesn’t mean your roommate operates the same way. Unless his or her clothes are overflowing onto your things, chalk it up to accepting your differences. It’s not your job to pick at everything he or she is doing. Focus on the bigger picture.
3. Communicate effectively. If something really is bothering you and the time has come to speak up, pick your words (and tone) carefully. If you launch into an issue in attack mode, your roommate is going to respond in the same manner. Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill – be honest, but calm. Rather than sit back and criticize, offer a solution to the problem.
For more roommate advice, check out our other posts below:
Roommate Survival Guide
The Roommate Diaries: Making a Good Impression
How do you keep the peace with a roommate? Post your advice below!
