At a young age, we all learned the fundamental rules of social interaction: Share your things, be polite, use your manners and the list goes on. I’m sure you were reminded of these principles while growing up and reprimanded when you chose to take another, more unsavory route. So, now you are older and wiser and are off to college only to discover you don’t like your roommate. Did anyone share with you a socially acceptable way to handle that?
Communication is the key to success in this situation. It is completely normal to be irritated by the things your roommate says or does, and likewise, they will probably feel the same way about you at some point in time. You are sharing a small space and most likely have never lived with anyone other than your immediate family. So talk it out. It’s simple; if you notice something becoming a hot-button for you, tell your roommate and get the issues out in the open. If you two set boundaries early on and are respectful of one another, you can avoid turning your dorm room into an all-out war zone.
If you have tried talking it out and your roommate just isn’t having it, then try todevelop a group of friends that can be there for you and give you support when you are feeling blue about your dorm room woes. You can’t avoid the situation, but don’t wallow either; there is nothing wrong with seeking out other campus activities or friends that do not involve your roommate.
In the end, if you have a true problem with your roommate, you can talk to your RA or the powers that be to get yourself switched to do a different room. But remember, this process can take some time, so if you decide this is the way to go, then do all you can to make things peaceful in the meantime. It’s up to you to create a positive and healthy environment so your education can thrive. Let your college experience be defined not by who you live with, but rather how you choose to live it.