Living on your own or in a student housing situation for the first time? You’re not alone, as a second year student at Fanshawe this is my second year living in student housing. Over this time I have gained some useful knowledge on how to make your life, and your roommates lives’ a little simpler.
Firstly, try to remain civil. It can be extremely difficult to remain level headed when dealing with a dispute in the household between roomies. Most of the time when you enter a student housing situation, you’ll be paired up with a group of students in a similar situation to yours as well as being in a similar age group. So although it may sound simple and cliché, treat your house mates the way you’d want to be treated. If your roommate downstairs is blasting music at 2AM politely shoot them a text or let them know you’d like to see it turned down. Keep in mind this won’t be your last interaction with these people so say it like you’d say the same thing again, like a greeting but with intent. Remain friendly and civil (if you can).
Secondly, there is a lot of expectations when it comes to taking out garbage and recycling. I found in my time living with several different roommates, that the best way to approach this is as casually as possible. My landlord recommended a garbage rotation, but I have found that when everybody looks after themselves peace can be achieved. Your roommates will eventually get to the point where they have to pick after themselves. So put your trust in them to look after themselves, and if that doesn’t work out then worry about making a formal plan.
Lastly, maintain as good of a connection with your landlord as you possibly can. This loops back to the first tip listed, being civil and friendly. Even if you might feel frustrated or upset at your landlord at occasion, by maintaining a good connection you are maintaining a great source of recommendation. When you need to move out of student housing, your previous landlord is the best reference you could possibly have. If your landlord can rave about how respectful you are then you will have no problem getting a good reference for future housing.
By following these simple steps, you will make your life living with others a whole lot simpler. Life as a student is stressful enough between school and work, removing stresses from your home base can make all the difference in your life.
Comments