Living on The Edge

Not original image, taken from the movie Bridesmaids 2011. IMDB

It is now two months into the new school year, pressure is on, University students are all on edge trying to make it to class on time, study hard enough to get good grades, have some type of social life, working to pay off student debt, all while attempting to remember to sleep and eat.  Then on top of this they have to deal with their living situations.  Most students end up living with friends that they met in first year, or maybe they are back in residence because they love to spend their summers at home, then we have the lucky few that live on their own.  Well sometimes it is hard living with someone, we grow up living at home with our families—the same people for at least 18 years of our life, because of this we develop a routine.  Now we are forced out of our comfort zone with the same habits we have always had, but the reality is your roommate(s) are not going to just adapt to your routine.  When it comes down to it maybe you are not the quietest roommate, or maybe your roommate is not the cleanest, whatever it may be there is someone out there that has it worse than you do. 

The school year is only two months in, you do not want to be walking on egg shells in your own home because you and your roommate have “beef,” so I am here to save you all and give you some tips on how to make it through the next 6 months… well at least until Christmas break.

           Here are some of the problems I have come across while having a roommate, and the delicate, yet effective way I have tried to resolve them:

Problem: GARBAGE, leaving the garbage bag sit out when it is full, or starting to smell is NOT ok, if you are this roommate please pay close attention.

Solution: Switch it up, talk to your roommate and decide that instead of you both taking it out every week, you decide to do alternating weeks just to make life a little easier, and a lot less smelly!

Problem: PEOPLE, when I talk about people I mean significant others, friends, and/or family.  There is nothing worse than having other people constantly in your personal space, I do not mean never have people over, but when it is constant it can be a major issue.

Solution: To ensure that you feel comfortable in your own home, and common space is not being over abused set some ground rules with your roommate.  Maybe there are a couple days a week that you know you are always busy doing homework, mention this to your roommate so they know not to have people over on those days.  Also, if you are having people or someone over shoot your roommate(s) a text just to give them a heads up—It is a simple solution, but TRUST ME, it will make all the difference—you want to enjoy your own space.

Problem: DIRT, let me be clear with this one, I do not mind a bit of dust, but there is nothing worse than stepping on someone else’s dried up spinach, or other chopped up food. Having to clean up after someone else is my biggest pet peeve, you may be my roommate, but I am not your mother.

Solution: This may sound cliché, but clean up after yourself.  If you spill something in the kitchen clean it up, do not let food sit in the sink, and try to just be a decent human being.  The best way to make sure the big picture is taken care of is between you and your roommate(s) pick 1 hour a week and just tidy the apartment. I am not saying to scrub the floors with a toothbrush, but a quick sweep would not hurt anyone.

           Here is the biggest problem I have come across when having a roommate and I am sure many of you have experienced this as well, or have been guilty of this…

Problem: SAFETY, also known as common sense.  Sure we all forget to lock the door sometimes, or turn the washer and dryer off before we leave the house, but there are two things of major concern: 1. Not blowing out your candles, and 2. leaving the stove on—there are no excuse for these.  They are potentially life endangering situations and should be treated as such.

Solution: Get into the habit of double checking, it takes two extra seconds out of your day.  If you, or your roommate(s) feel that you have forgotten and are no longer home, text your roommate(s) so that they can double check for you.  You really do not want to have to make that phone call home explaining to your parents that you took a bubble bath and forgot to blow out your candles so now your apartment is a pile of ash—not a fun conversation to have (not that I have experience with this)

I know having a roommate(s) is not an easy task, when the times get rough just remember you are not always the perfect roommate either.  Be sure to always talk to your roommate(s) when there is an issue, you really do not want to be living in an awkward situation (believe me when I say other people can feel the tension when there is a situation with you and your roommate(s)).  You have chosen to live with this person/people for a reason, your university years are the best years of your life, do not let a bad living situation ruin that for you. You can do this, and if all else fails, have a glass of wine, or maybe a whole bottle!

Author Unknown

So lets cheers to the good years,

C.