How to survive living with roommates in university

By Hailey Leggett

Living with roommates can be tough. But with the right mindset and a bit of collective effort, sharing a living space doesn’t have to disrupt your life, and can be a very rewarding experience.

Beyond the obvious financial benefits, living with student roommates can help reduce stress and foster life-long friendships. From learning how to communicate effectively to navigating shared responsibilities, roommates will teach you what it takes to co-exist with others.

Moving away from home can be overwhelming and scary, but when you’re all in it together, it can feel considerably more manageable. You might feel alone, but chances are, everyone else is just as lost in this exciting new chapter. Navigating university life is easier when you work together. To help ensure a smooth transition and prevent issues later on, here are some important tips to bear in mind: Before signing the lease, it is imperative to set clear boundaries—whether about cleanliness, shared spaces, or room selection. It is super important to make sure that everyone involved is fully committed before finalizing anything. Unspoken doubts can quickly turn into quiet resentment. If you have any concerns about your potential roommates, it is better to address them now before you spend the next eight months feeling stuck.
A strong foundation begins with communication. Open and honest conversations are one of the most important elements to a healthy roommate dynamic. When there is little discussion or transparency, it is easy for conflicts to arise.
Roommate relationships start with trust and transparency, especially when it comes to practical issues like room assignment. It may feel overly cautious to bring up room assignments before signing the lease. But especially in student housing, this conversation can prevent major disagreements later. In older houses, which are common in student areas, rooms can vary drastically in size and quality. So, consider, if there is an extra-large bedroom, who is getting it and why? You want to avoid the fight that will arise if you ignore the topic, and suddenly someone is moving into the room you wanted.
Another important discussion to have before move-in day is the maintenance/organization of communal spaces and how you plan to manage this. Here are key questions student roommates should ask before move-in day:
“How are we going to manage the distribution and rotation of cleaning/chores?
How are we splitting the costs of shared items like dish soap or toilet paper?
What is the guest policy?
Do we want to establish a shower schedule to avoid morning chaos?
How are we going to organize the cupboards and fridge in a fair way?
Are there any food restrictions or allergies that could be a problem?”
To avoid misunderstanding, create a shared household schedule to fairly divide up chores and keep things running smoothly. Household schedules are a great way to divide up responsibilities, keep track of tasks and hold each other accountable. It is a great way to hold people accountable while maintaining a fair and reasonable environment. So, grab a pen and start writing things down.
Once the rules are established, document them with any necessary notes or instructions and display them in a common area for everyone to see.

When making these rules, it is important that everyone is both on board and open to feedback. As the year goes on, it is important to remain flexible. A good way to keep communication open is by holding a monthly meeting to check in on how things are going—what’s working, what isn’t, what needs changes and what needs to change to improve your shared living experience. This gives everyone a safe and open space to express concerns or offer suggestions.

During this time, it is critical to remain patient and respectful. As the year goes on, you will slowly uncover a level of patience you never knew you had. Inevitably, you will get frustrated with everyone at some point or another. This is perfectly normal (to a certain degree). Not everyone works well together, especially when you are sharing the same space for months at a time. What you may find messy, your roommate may not.

Living with roommates can be chaotic and unpredictable; however, it can also be filled with laughter, bonding and unforgettable memories. You’ll never forget the late-night kitchen debriefs or the time someone did something so memorable that you still laugh to think about it. You need to approach this period with patience, honesty and a sense of humour. Every moment of frustration or annoyance is part of the experience. Take a deep breath and take every moment for what it is.