College is all about interacting with people. You have to learn how to communicate with your professors and how to socialize with your classmates because you will never know when you are going to need their help. The people that you need to get along with the most, however, are neither your professors nor your classmates. In college, it is more important to establish good relationships with your dormmates.
Your dorm mates are like your family in your college. You live under one roof and sometimes, you even share the same room. It is never easy to suddenly get used to living with somebody you hardly know and it takes a lot of adjustment from both parties to make everything work. Here are some tips to help you get along with your dorm mates:
Respect your dorm mates’ personal space.
The first form of adjustment that you have to make is to respect your dorm mates’ personal space. To do this, you always have to keep in mind that you are not the sole owner of the dorm room. You are sharing it with others. Do not play loud music when your one of your dorm mates is patiently absorbed in his or her textbooks. If you can’t resist the temptation of listening to your favorite mixed CD, then bring out those earphones and keep the music to yourself.
Respect your dorm mates’ personal belongings.
If there is one thing that you have to remember during your stay in college dorms, it is the “what’s yours is yours and what’s mine is mine” rule. You are given your own bed, your own closet, and your own study area for a reason. Sleep on your own bed, trash your own closet, and make a mess in your own study area. Never wear your dorm mates’ shirt just because it matches the color of your eyes or eat their sandwich just because it completes the balance of your diet. Why take the risk of being scolded later when you can always ask for their permission first?
Respect your dorm mates’ personal feelings.
For some reason, students from opposite ends always end up being dormmates. Opposites always attract, but it wasn’t indicated that it is always in a good way. To avoid getting into silly fights or ego battles, respect your dorm mates’ beliefs and philosophies. If your dorm mates are devout Catholics, then please be sensitive enough to avoid making jokes about Jesus Christ or the Pope. The last thing you want is to avoid your dormmates. Respect your dorm mates’ feelings and you will surely get back the same respect that you deserve.
Photo Credit : D.L.
