College & University Information

College Roommates: Threes A Crowd


It's hard enough sharing a dorm room the size of a postage stamp with one person, but what happens when your roommate consistently invites friends and dates to hang out too? Even if you all get along, it can get old fast. Sometimes you just want a little privacy. At the very least, you don't want to feel like an outsider in your own room.

Whether you're dealing with your roommate's ever present love interest, or his obnoxious friends who "borrow" your stuff, you need to speak up. Roommate issues like this don't go away by ignoring them, so it's best to be upfront and work together to reach an understanding. Here are some tips that will help:

? Keep an open mind. It's possible that your roommate has no idea there's a problem, so don't assume he's trying to annoy you on purpose.

? Pick the right time to talk. Choose a time to speak to your roommate when the two of you can be alone. Explain that you have nothing against the other people involved, but you feel uncomfortable having them around all the time.

? Be assertive. Stand up for your own rights while respecting the rights of your roommate. You can't control who your roommate spends time with or when, but you do have a say when it affects your time in the room.

? Avoid accusations. Starting your sentences with, "you," sounds like an attack and will likely make your roommate defensive, as in: "You are being selfish." Instead, own your message by starting with, "I," as in: "I'm unhappy with this situation."

? Set reasonable expectations. If you leave the room every time your roommate has over a date or friend, he or she will assume nothing is wrong, and the problem will persist. Both sides need to compromise instead of one person making all the changes.

? Make a schedule. Discuss times when both of you need space to study, sleep, or just be alone and agree to make those times off-limits to guests.

If you don't like conflict, you may be tempted to avoid it by gossiping to other friends or complaining to your Resident Assistant without ever talking to your roommate first. Going around the issue will only makes things worse! By approaching your roommate calmly and respectfully, the two of you can work out an agreement that's fair without things getting blown out of proportion.

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor and author of the book, "My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy! Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell" (Adams Media). She offers more college survival tips on her site, http://www.myroommateisdrivingmecrazy.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

College, university teachers' statewide protest on Feb 21
Times of India
NAGPUR: The Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisation (MFUCTO) plans to stage statewide protests on February 21 for their various demands. Secretary of Nagpur University Teachers' Association (NUTA) Anil Dhage said the ...

and more »


Blackburn College University Centre boss resigns after suspension
Lancashire Telegraph
By Nafeesa Shan » Reporter Blackburn College said the dean of its University Centre, Helen Mathers, was no longer on its pay roll after tendering her resignation. Acting dean Christine Kenyon will fill the role while the posit-ion is advertised.

and more »


Applications to Blackburn College's University Centre rise to record levels
Lancashire Telegraph
Blackburn College's University Centre has revealed that its applications have soared by 10 per cent compared to 2011. Nationally, the University and Colleges Admissions Service, UCAS, has recorded a slump of 8.7 per cent, with 462507 people having ...



Students advocate inter-faith harmony at seminar
Pakistan Daily Times
Students from Pakistan's top educational institutions, including COMSATS, Government College University (GCU), Forman Christian College (FCC), Professional Academy of Commerce (PAC) and several others, having different religious backgrounds, ...



Area students make college, university honor rolls
McPherson Sentinel
By Anonymous Leigh Loving of McPherson, a freshman college of arts and sciences student at Creighton University, was named to the fall Dean's List for the 2011-2012 academic year. Emporia State University released the honor roll for the fall 2011 ...



Alumni players, fans celebrate a grand old veteran
Charleston Gazette
Remember, in Lee's day -- and for all 31 Marshall College/University teams that played in that building -- there was no 3-point goal. Whatever. The house would have rocked one more time if Lee had hit that shot, like the so many he hit when he scored ...

and more »


GCU convocation
Pakistan Observer
Lahore—The 10th convocation of the Govt College University Lahore will be held on February 22 at the university's Bokhari Auditorium. About 1300 students from graduation to PhD would receive degrees, academic medals and Rolls of Honor this year at the ...



CTV.ca

College, university students to take part in 'National Day of Action' Wednesday
680 News
TORONTO, Ont. - Thousands of college and university students are planning to take to the streets of Toronto and many other Canadian cities, Wednesday, on the 'National Day of Action.' Spokesperson Sandy Hudson told 680News this will be a controlled ...
Students' Day Of Action Rocks CNCOpinion250 News (blog)
Students shouldn't swallow massive debt: OUR OPINIONThe Barrie Examiner

all 137 news articles »


Upward Bound Programs Held To Help Students
News Channel 7
One workshop was held on Saturday it was held at the Gaffney Branch of Spartanburg Community College University of South Carolina Upstate. It was held in the Health Education . Another workshop will be held at the Gaffney Branch of Spartanburg ...

and more »


City hires 2010 UWSP grad for new economic development specialist position
Wausau Daily Herald
College: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, graduated in 2010 with a degree in resource management with emphasis in land use management. Stevens Point officials are hoping a new position in the city's Community Development office can help bring ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006