It is common to have fights with your roommate. After all, even those born of the same parents do fight. Different cultures, personality, preference and background could cause fights to occur among roommates. For instance, the Americans are often loud, aggressive and informal, compared to the people of Tokyo, who are shy and conservative by nature.
Some may think that the best way to deal with a bully roommate is by running away. But, what if you meet another bully roommate? For how long would you keep on running? Running is not the best way to deal with a bully roommate.
The following are practical suggestions that would help you deal with a bully roommate while studying around.
- Communicate
Open communication is one of the keys to a successful roommate relationship. Let your roommates know your likes and dislikes. Inquire to know theirs too, so as to avoid often doing what they dislike. Friendly communication will keep your roommate relationship on an even keel. - Don’t be a borrower
It may be tempting to borrow a roommate’s gadget or clothing or even eat their snacks when they are not home. But this can be one of the biggest sources of conflict. To avoid that, try to get your own things and get your hands off your roommate’s stuff. - Talk to Him Politely
If the relationship with your roommates deteriorates (even from the beginning), try to approach your roommate politely and talk about it before it escalates.
- Endeavour to keep your space clean
Cleanliness, is one of the major reasons why roommates fight. Keeping the house clean can be a difficult task for some people. If your roommate is the type who likes his room to be clean at all times, then endeavor to keep your space neat and organized to avoid conflict with your roommate. - Do not Revenge
Plotting a get back at a bully roommate should not be an option, since that might turn him into an enemy, and this could ruin your stay in a foreign territory. It might also affect your ability to concentrate on your studies.
6. Branch out
If you are lucky enough to get a roommate who becomes a friend, you don’t need to spend all your time out of class together. Take some pressure off the relationship by being and doing things with others.
7. Be reasonable and willing to change
The above suggestions would not yield enough result if you are not willing to change. Therefore, you must be willing to change for the better. After all, College is for learning and growing. Don’t get stuck with thinking patterns and lifestyles that you brought from home. As time passes, be reasonable with your roommate and adjust your thinking as new situations require.
Leave a Reply