4 Strategies for Dealing with College Roommate Conflicts

Communication is Key to Resolving Roommate Conflict Much like adjusting to the academic and social changes that come with college, many first-year college students have to adapt to living in a shared dorm room space. It may sound simple, but there is a lot that goes into forming a strong relationship with a roommate and occasional disagreements are almost inevitable. Instead of letting a roommate conflict diminish your first-year experience, there are a variety of steps students can take to make the most of dorm living. Keep reading for a few tips for resolving any roommate conflicts you may face during your first year of college! Be Upfront with Your RoommateYour first step in addressing any potential roommate problems should be to reach out to your housemate and address what is going wrong. Some â€Å"bad† roommates may just be unaware of their habits and how these behaviors can have a negative impact. Aim to frame this as a discussion of living policies and how to be a better roommate and avoid criticizing your roommate’s current behaviors. Ask your roommate if there is anything they would like to change about your living arrangement in order to make the conversation feel more like a discussion, as opposed to a personal attack or complaint. Allow Time for ChangeDon’t expect all conflicts to be instantly resolved. Instead, give your roommate time to process any discussions and fix any habits that may be contributing to the conflict. Your roommate may need time to work out solutions to the problems you mentioned. If they mentioned some things that you could do differently, strive to implement those changes as well. Remember that your first year of college is also a critical adjustment period for your roommate, too, so be patient. Change can take time and it’s best to wait a little while before attempting to address the conflict again. Get Support from Your Resident AdvisorIf you’ve given your roommate time to work on their problems and fail to see any improvement, it may be time to reach out to someone involved in campus life, such as the resident assistant or advisor (RA) on your floor. Address your specific concerns, the actions you have already taken (such as talking to your roommate), and potential solutions and alternatives. Speak with your RA one-on-one first and determine if a meeting between the three of you might be beneficial. Bringing in a third-party can mediate conflict and help you and your roommate reach a compromise that works for both parties. Look AheadNot every living situation will be ideal for your needs. If conflict continues, it may be possible to switch rooms or move to another living space. Reach out to your RA to inquire about alternative arrangements. While a new living situation may be ideal, it is not always feasible to switch mid-way through a semester. Be prepared to make the most of your current dorm by focusing on being a considerate housemate, regardless of your roommate’s behavior. Remember that most college living situations are very temporary, so focus on choosing a roommate and dorm that will be a better fit for you for the following semester or academic year. Living with a roommate is just one part of the college experience. Don’t let roommate conflict ruin other parts of your first-year experience that are positive. If you’re attending a school that is the best-fit for your academic and social goals, there will be plenty to do outside of the dorm to keep you engaged, happy, and forming relationships outside of your roommate. At, we work with students to help them find the best-fit schools for their needs and goals. Contact us today for more information on how our team of expert college admissions counselors can help students find their best fit, top-choice colleges and universities.