For many people, sharing space, whether a bedroom or a living room, with new people can bring a whole new set of obstacles. Living with other people is a challenge. This can be true no matter how close people are. Sharing space is difficult, and there may be times when problems arise. There are ways to solve problems with roommates, and they don’t need to ruin friendships.
One of the most common issues with roommates is not respecting common space. Maybe people continue to leave stuff around and clutter the place, or maybe someone doesn’t partake in cleaning. This can be frustrating, but it's important to go into a tricky situation with understanding at the forefront of the mind. Allow a few slip-ups, but if they become repetitive, sit down with them and tell them what is wrong. Be sure they don’t feel they are being singled out or attacked because this has the potential to do more harm than good. Know that they most likely just aren’t realizing it, so help them see it.
The same method can be used if a roommate isn’t partaking in communal efforts to keep the place clean. Talk with them and maybe even create a chore chart. The chart can have days where each person cleans for the next week or even month. This can also include taking out the trash. Having a system in place allows for the problem to be avoided in the first place.
Another issue that could arise is if someone is having people, whether it’s a partner or friends, over a lot. If this becomes bothersome, then the only way to do this is to speak with them directly. One could also try to become closer with whoever they are having over so there is more comfort in the situation. Feeling like a stranger is in someone’s own space doesn’t feel great, so they might as well try to make them a friend.
The most important technique to take when addressing issues with others is speaking to them with respect. If that doesn’t work, then maybe there are other, deeper issues to address and new living arrangements to look into.
Since there are possible negatives of roommates, there are also even more positives. College is meant to be a time in where friends are family. Roommates are just more people we get the privilege to share space with. They are people to talk with, cook with, play games with and have movie nights with. They are able to make us laugh the second we wake up. Living with friends is such a privilege, so truly enjoy it and don’t let little hiccups in the situation strip away all the good having roommates brings.
Living with others can present challenges, but most of them are not impossible to solve. Patience and understanding allow for thoughts to be heard and systems to be put in place. Roommate struggles shouldn’t take away from all the benefits of having each other.
Kyra Dapore is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
