How to deal with a difficult roommate in student hubs like Bristol

Today’s youth is more likely to have a roommate than ever before, especially in the case of college students.

Living in a dormitory has many advantages including:

- Cost effectiveness

- Distribution of responsibilities

- Convenient location

- Student focused

However there can also be numerous differences and disadvantages while sharing a dorm room with a stranger. This could be a difference in sleeping habits, cleaning habits or even personal priorities.

With all this, it is not difficult to find a horrible roommate, especially in student accommodations in Bristol, Glasgow, and other such popular student hubs. So to help you cope up with a bad roommate we have compiled a list of 5 tips to overcome this.

1. Make a roommate agreement

In the initial days of moving in, roommates should sign a contract stating a plan of the sort of place you want to be sharing, setting some ground rules and code of conduct.

Students may avoid roommate squabbles later on by agreeing on things like how often you will clean the room, how late you will keep the lights on, and how often you will have guests over at the start of your relationship.

If you and your roommate have a disagreement, go over this contract again to make sure you're both following the rules and to see if there are any new elements that need to be added or altered.

2. Settle on a lights out hour

Most likely, you and your roommate do not go to bed at the same time. You might want to go to bed at 11p.m., while your roommate doesn't sleep until 3:00 a.m. Set aside a time when the lights must be turned off as a compromise. Instead of using the overhead lights, headphones should be utilized to watch movies and listen to music during this time, and a personal light should be used to read. Turning the lights down at 12:00 a.m, For example, is a good compromise between 11 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., but you can set a different time for weekdays and weekends.

3. Always communicate in person

It's never good to open the fridge and find a passive-aggressive sticky note waiting for you. The problem with written communication is that it is frequently misunderstood. Even though you composed your note with the best of intentions, it could not be received as such. Face-to-face communication can help to avoid misconceptions because facial expressions and tone provide a deeper level of understanding while talking.

4. Address issues ASAP

When a problem arises, address it as soon as possible. Let your roommate know you don't like it when they track mud throughout the house. If you don't address issues soon away, your roommate may believe you approve of their actions.

While you should handle a problem as soon as it arises, you should wait until you're both cool and collected before doing so. When you're in a pinch, you can't afford to be without toilet paper. Don't scream and wave your arms as you leave the bathroom. Instead, relax and remind your roommate that you agreed that whoever uses the last of the toilet paper is responsible for replenishing it.

If you talk about last week's troubles with your roommate, they could not recall what you're talking about. As a result, address issues while they're still fresh in everyone's minds.

5. Offer effective solutions and ideas

While it's important to highlight issues, you should also offer solutions that are applicable to everyday life. It's more probable that this problem will be resolved if you provide your flatmate advice on how to address it.

If your housemates' possessions are strewn about the communal spaces, ask them to keep them in their rooms. If you see that the flat is always dirty, propose a cleaning schedule. If your roommate continues to drink your juice, see if they'd want to start buying juice in bulk.

Amber is dedicated to providing only the best accommodation experiences when you are seeking student housing that is also close to your university. Amber is always up to date when it comes to being upgraded with the COVID-19 rules and regulations.

Author's Bio: Anannya Chaudhary is a writer living in Gurgaon. As soon as the clock strikes the very last working minute of her office hours, you will find her on the way to her favorite food stall, brimming with excitement and joy to devour a plate of her beloved chicken momos. You could classify her as that one annoying friend who makes you cry if you resist them dragging you to the dance floor.