Sharing a space with someone can be quite the learning experience, whether it’s with a friend or a total stranger. While it can be full of good moments, there are bound to be a few quirks you and your roommate will need to navigate. To keep things smooth and easygoing, here are a few unspoken rules you both might be thinking about but won’t always say out loud!
- Turn that alarm off!
It’s one thing to set an alarm early, but hitting snooze every 10 minutes for an hour? That’s a lot, especially when only one person ends up awake. Try setting one you know you’ll wake up to, or try a vibrating alarm that keeps the noise to a minimum.
- Music and moods need balance.
From EDM at midnight to country at dawn, everyone’s got their own playlist. Before you blast it, remember that headphones can be a lifesaver. At the end of the day, keeping your roommate’s vibe in mind can save you from an unexpected concert review.
- Guests are great — but heads-up texts are better.
Ever walk into your room to find a stranger chilling on your bed or a spontaneous study group sprawled across the floor? A heads-up text can save everyone some awkwardness and give you both a chance to prepare.
- Doors are better shut than open.
Heading out in a hurry? Just take a quick moment to close the door. A little courtesy goes a long way and saves anyone from having to get up and shut it for you.
- Dishes aren’t decorative.
Those coffee cups and snack wrappers don’t belong on display. Toss them out and avoid the clutter that can quickly make a shared space feel messy. Seriously, it’s not nice to walk into a room that smells like the food from yesterday.
- The trash can is not Jenga.
When the trash is full, if you place another item on top, even though you should probably take it out, it’s your sign to take it out. Just have a schedule so you and your roommate can switch off instead of trying to play the game of Jenga when it fills up to its peak.
- Temperatures aren’t one-sided.
Some like it chilly, others prefer it warm. If you’re adjusting the temperature, give your roommate a heads-up. That way, you can avoid temperature tug-of-wars and find a comfortable middle ground. There is no need to open and close the window a hundred times.
- Borrowing works best when you ask.
Have you ever seen your roommate wear your clothes? When in doubt, just ask before borrowing. It keeps the trust alive, especially when it may come to something that matters to your roommate.
- Lights on? Not for everyone.
If your roommate is trying to sleep, consider switching to a desk lamp or a dimmer light. They’ll appreciate it more than trying to doze off under what feels like a stadium spotlight. Seriously, the light in the dorms makes it feel like you’re at the dentist’s office.
- Leaving your shoes out turns us into not-so-secret spies of the night.
I get it. We all enjoy taking off our shoes after a long day. But please don’t leave them out so I have to jump around and inevitably trip when I return in the middle of the night. Putting our shoes away can save us both from face planting on the floor.