University Roommate Survival Guide: Living with Others
Roommates are often a defining part of the university experience—an adventure all on its own. It’s a time filled with new experiences, new classes, new friends, and for many, the first taste of living away from home.
Some students live alone in bachelor apartments, but many find themselves in shared living situations. Whether you’re living with a longtime friend, a sibling, or a complete stranger, having a roommate is a classic element of campus life.
Shared living has is perks to be sure, think of shared snacks and late-night gossip sessions, however figuring out how to get along smoothly and deal with inevitable conflict does take some thought and effort. Being “roommate ready” means you are prepared to listen, communicate, empathise and build a space where everyone feels at home.
Step 1: Choosing a roommate
Think about your habits and what you need to make you feel comfortable. Maybe you prefer pulling all night study sessions, or maybe you’re an early riser who enjoys quiet mornings. Be honest with yourself about yourself. If you know what makes you comfortable, you’ll find it a easier to find someone who’ll be a good fit.
Make sure to communicate your habits. If you want to share with a friend then make time to chat with them about sleep schedules, study habits, social lives and cleaning habits. If you can get as much information as possible before you move in together, you’ll find fewer surprises down the road.
Be realistic about your compatibility. Your best friend might be your worst roommate and that’s totally okay. Rather save the friendship and live separately than must throw it all away over who the last person to wash the dishes was.
If one of you is studying a degree that’s more intense than the other, you might find conflict in your study habits and how much quiet you might need. Better to find someone who’s university lifestyle is more compatible with your own.
If you aren’t choosing your own roommate and are willing to be paired with someone you don’t know then it is a good idea to get to know each other over the first few days. Have a movie night where you watch each other’s favourite flics or go out for some coffee to discuss some or all the above.
Step 2: Setting ground rules
So, you’ve moved in, unpacked and you’re starting to get settled. The next thing to do is to set the ground rules. This might be an awkward conversation at first, but it’ll save you from headaches in the long run.
Cleaning and chores: Divide up the basic chores so that everyone knows what they are responsible for. Maybe you’ll take turn doing the dishes or perhaps if one person cooks, the other does the dishes or maybe everyone is responsible for their own chores. Figure out what works for everyone and write it down somewhere you’ll both see it. Like a sticky note on the fridge.
What about sharing stuff? Talk about what you are happy to share and what is off limits. Maybe you brought an air fryer with you, and you are happy for everyone to use it, but you also have dietary restrictions, so you don’t want anyone to touch your snacks. Figure out what you are comfortable with and set out clear expectation so that there are no awkward situations in the future.
Noise levels: Everyone needs some quiet every now and then. Maybe you love to have music blasting in your downtime, but your roommate prefers to study in silence. Set some quiet hours or agree to use headphones instead of blasting the music through a speaker. And always remember to give your roommate a heads-up if you are inviting people over.
Speaking of guests, remember to respect each other’s privacy. Make a plan for often guests can come by. Few things are worse than walking out the bathroom in a towel to find a room full of people that you don’t know looking at you. Also, if you find that your roommate’s bedroom door is closed then they might need some time to be alone, and you should respect that.
Step 3: Communication, communication, communication!
You’ve set the rules but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any conflict. No two people can agree on everything all the time there is bound to be a spat here and there. That is why it is so important to communicate openly and honestly.
Make it a habit to check in on each other. Set time once a month to chat about how things are going. Talk about what is working and what is not. Talk about issues and take the time to bond. It might also be a good idea to share schedules so you know when each person has tests and assignments and might need more quiet time to focus.
If something has upset, you don’t sit on it and let it build into resentment. Bring it up gently before it turns into a big deal. A simple “hey can we adjust the cleaning schedule?” or a quick “hey, I have a test coming up can we go over the quiet times?” will go a lot further than just being quietly upset.
Be ready to compromise. Like I said you aren’t going to agree on everything, so a make sure that in cases where you can’t agree you meet each other halfway. Maybe you’re a neat freak and your roommate is a little more relaxed try to find a middle ground. A little understanding and empathy can make a world of difference.
Read More: How To Apply For Student Housing Allowances
Step 4: Be open to embracing diversity
University brings people from all walks of life together. Be open minded and willing to learn from each other.
Take this chance to celebrate each other’s differences. Whether it be religious, cultural or traditional differences this is your opportunity to learn and experience more. Join each other in different celebration try each other’s favourite cultural dishes. Who knows you might find your new favourite food.
Be mindful and respectful of different schedules. Respect each other’s important dates whether it be Eid, Easter or Lunar New Year all are valuable and should be respected. A little flexibility, curiosity and open-mindedness can go a long way.
Step 5: Manage conflict when things go wrong
Things will go wrong, and you might end up arguing. It sucks but it’s completely normal. Having a good relationship with your roommate is not about avoiding conflict completely but about how you deal with it when it arises.
Try to talk things through. Discuss whatever the issue may be without placing blame on any individual. Stay calm and objective, remember that your collective goal is to sort out the issue, not find fault with the individual.
Work together to find a solution. ‘Yes, we acknowledge that there is a problem, so how do we fix it so we are both happy?’ Try to find a work around that you can both live with and if things get heated, take a 10-minute break to calm down and then try again.
If you can’t seem to find a solution, feel free to reach out to your RA or to someone in the office. They can help mediate; they are there to help!
Tips for a happy shared home
Label your stuff. If you both brought pots and pans and dishes, make sure to label everything so there is not confusion when you are packing up when it is time to move out.
Keep the common areas tidy. If you are happy with a little mess, try to keep that to your room. Make sure that the living room, kitchen and bathroom are always tidy though!
Restock on essentials, if you use the last of the toilet paper or dish soap let your roommate know and then buy some on your next grocery run. Sharing basics like cleaning supplies, makes life easier from everyone and if you do it right it also makes life just a little bit more affordable because you’ll be sharing the cost. The same goes for utilities go 50/50 on electricity since you will both need the lights at night.
Practice small acts of kindness and consideration. If you are making yourself a cup of tea at the end of the day offer to make a cup for you roommate. Do your chores with having to be reminded. Share some cake on your birthday. Invite them to watch a movie with you in the living room. Small gestures go a long way in building trust and friendship.
Living with a roommate can be one of the best parts of university life. It’s an opportunity of learning, laughter and tremendous growth (coupled with a few life lessons along the way). If you approach this opportunity with an open-mind, honesty and a sense of humour you will absolutely thrive and possibly make a life-long friend. With that, it’s time to pack and get ‘roommate ready’ there is an adventure that awaits!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, living with a roommate is about more than just splitting rent or sharing a fridge—it’s about learning how to coexist, compromise, and create a supportive living space. With honest communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to embrace each other’s differences, a shared home can become a place of real connection and growth. University is a time to learn not only who you are, but how you relate to others—and roommates often play a big role in that journey.
So, if you’re ready to take the next step and find a home that supports both your academic goals and your shared living experience, apply for student accommodation with KCI Properties today. With convenient locations, thoughtfully designed spaces, and a strong sense of community, KCI Properties is here to help you feel right at home from day one.
