One of the biggest challenges many students face when they start college is learning to live with new people. It’s likely you don’t know anyone else attending the same school, meaning you’ll need to live with strangers. To make the experience a positive one, it’s ideal if you become friends with your roommate. Start developing a friendship before you even arrive at campus with these tips.
1. Follow Each Other on Social Media
Find out what you have in common with your roommate by checking out what he or she posts online. Following each other on social media will allow you to get to know your future roommate before you even speak — which should make your first encounter feel less awkward.
Send your roommate an email asking for his or her social media handles rather than searching for your roommate by name. This will feel less intrusive and mean your roommate is aware that you’ve seen his or her posts when you first talk.
It’s more than possible that some aspects of your lifestyles won’t align. One of you may be an introverted bookworm; the other may be into partying. However, it’s likely you’ll still find plenty of things you agree on and topics to talk about. For instance, you may both have pets you love, follow the same sports, or share some of the same opinions.
Bear in mind, it’s impossible to truly know someone through social media. People tend to post the best things in their lives — what they want their followers to see. There will likely be many more facets to your roommate that you’ll only discover by building a deeper connection.
2. Have a Video Call or Face-to-Face Meetup
You may like to begin communicating with your roommate through text or email, but it makes sense to have a proper conversation at least once before you start living together. This will give you a better sense of your roommate’s personality and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.
If you live near each other, your best option is to have a face-to-face meetup. Go for a coffee or find an activity to do together that you both enjoy. If that’s not a possibility, your second-best option is to have a video call. This is better than a phone call, as you’ll be able to see each other’s facial expressions and body language. You’ll also feel much more comfortable when you move in if you’ve seen your roommate’s face as well as heard his or her voice.
3. Talk About Your Expectations for Living Together
Keep the conversation flowing over the summer by talking about expectations and ideas for when you live together. In addition to setting some ground rules, talk about who will bring what to your housing to avoid purchasing things you won’t need. You may also like to think of a couple activities to do together when you arrive, such as exploring campus and attending events.
You’re more likely to stay friends with your roommate if you’re able to avoid conflict. This means sharing an apartment rather than a bedroom. A great alternative to Durham College residence is Foundry Simcoe. Choose between a three-bedroom flat suite and a five-bedroom townhouse — either option comes fully furnished with en suite bathrooms, a kitchen with granite countertops, and a spacious living room. Plus, you can ask us to pair you with roommates or request to share with friends. Contact us to join our student community.