Help! My College Roommate And I Don’t Get Along Anymore!
If you’ve found yourself returning to your home away from home and feeling drained, I understand how stressful it can be. Sharing your personal space (especially in a dorm) with a college roommate you don’t get along with can be a difficult experience with many complications. How do you solve it? Here’s my advice on how to change the situation.
What To Do
First of all, know that it is okay to feel like there are differences between you and your college roommate. Whether you guys had a fight, or you guys simply don’t get along as time goes on, this is not the end of the world. Sometimes you outgrow people. If that’s the case, the best solution is to simply focus on yourself.
If you two have are increasingly more distant or dry with each other, the second step should be to give each other some space. Maybe you guys need some time off to realize that the issue was just a silly argument, or that either one of you was going through a rough time.
If you have tried that and the tension keeps building up, TALK IT OUT.
Communication is key between roommates. Approach your college roommate and tell them how you feel. Whether you are angry or just apprehensive, it is always important to make your roommate aware of your feelings. This can also help you reflect on the situation and find a solution that works for the both of you.
Let’s face it, some fights are BAD.
If this is the case and you can’t get anything resolved, try to work out different schedules. This will help you avoid your college roommate as much as possible so you can have your own space in your dorm or apartment. Try to eat at different times, study somewhere else when you can, and if you know she or he will be home that night, plan something with your friends!
After so many fights and uncomfortable moments, maybe even knowing that your roommate is in the same space as you can make you weird. When you feel like you can’t even sleep in peace, sleep over at your friends’ apartments as much as possible! Tell them the situation and they will most likely understand. This may not resolve your issues, but it will surely help you sleep at night.
Worst Case Scenario
If things are incredibly awkward and you’re ready to escape, ask to switch rooms or get a new lease if possible. Sometimes, this isn’t doable, and it is very extreme, but it is always an option. Be ready to pack all of your belongings and hope that a new room opens up. But when it does, it will be the best feeling ever to feel at peace in your own home once again.
