· Have Good Communication.

· Establish Some Rules at the Beginning.

· Living off Campus

· Dealing with Roommates

· You Need to Compromise.

Attending your first year of college presents a lot of new experiences: living away from home, meeting new people and managing your own time. Prepare for life on campus by figuring out what to bring, how to handle challenging circumstances and what you can do to manage your workload.

 [1] Rooming with someone during college is most people’s first experience with having a roommate who is not related to them. It’s one that comes with both benefits and challenges. Getting a roommate you get along with can enhance your college experience. You get an instant friend, someone to confide in and keep you company during your first time away from home. However, since many colleges randomly assign your first roommate, you also run the risk of getting someone you find challenging or don’t relate to right away. Either way, here’s some good advice:

 [2] Make your preferences known from the start so you and your roommate are clear on what to do to avoid conflict. Establish what space is whose, when you need quiet time to study, if you can share shampoo, what time you go to bed, if you like to sleep in on weekends and who’s allowed to eat what in the refrigerator. Some residence halls even require roommates to write up a roommate contract containing such rules. Perhaps this is something you and your roommate could do on your own. Make it a fun introductory exercise and hang your contract somewhere in your room as a reminder. This way, if you do find yourselves disagreeing, you have something to help negotiate a solution that works for both of you.

[3] Practicing direct communication will help you in good times and bad. Dorm rooms are close quarters, so even if you get along with your roommate, there is bound to be a conflict or two. Handle such conflicts with open communication. If you get upset or frustrated, communicate it to your roommate right away. You can’t expect him or her to be a mind reader. Be respectful with your tone and choose your words carefully. You’ll find such communication gets better reception and ultimately a better response than if you just attack or criticize. Good communication also comes into play during everyday interactions. Try to engage your roommate. Ask how his or her day was or congratulate him or her on that good essay score. A little praise and interest can go a long way. Also, feel free to share this article so your roommate understands where you are coming from.

 [4] Whenever you’re dealing with the wants and needs of two people, you need to compromise. Compromising will ultimately have to come into play when it comes to doing chores around the room, listening to certain kinds of music, watching different TV shows and when someone requests privacy. Remember, if you give a little, your roommate will give a little. Compromising does not mean giving in to all of someone’s requests; it means coming to a mutual agreement. So utilize positive communication as just mentioned, and talk through the things you and your roommate differ on until you can reach a compromise.

Even if you find yourself in a situation where you and your roommate just don’t get along, moving out should be the last resort. Dealing with roommate conflict can be an important lesson, and moving out is a hassle. However, if the situation is burdening you after three months, it may be in both your best interests to consult student housing. You can always talk to your Resident Advisor (RA) and ask for help to resolve conflict.

 [5] Most colleges require freshmen to live on campus, but after their first year, many students consider living off campus. Off-campus living can be appealing for a number of reasons: privacy, independence, responsibility, and, in some instances, even cost. But it also comes with its setbacks: isolation, transportation issues and possibly increased cost. So before jumping right into off-campus housing, make sure you take these things into consideration. Remember to also think about your school’s housing program and student body norms. Every college is different, and some support off-campus living more than others.

If, after weighing the pros and cons, you decide you want to live off campus, there are several ways for you to find a good place to live.

Text vocabulary:

challenging circumstances – сложная обстановка

preferences - предпочтения

negotiate a solution – договориться о решении проблемы

mind reader – человек, читающий чужие мысли, телепат

everyday interactions – ежедневное взаимодействие

reach a compromise – найти компромисс

last resort – последняя надежда

resolve conflict – устранять конфликт