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Roommates - Sharing a Small Space
Most students coming to Concordia have had their own room for many years. Learning to live, sleep, and study in a small space together with another person (or with several roommates / flatmates!) can be an opportunity for growth, and can take some personal adjustment. We all have our own uniquely constructed identities and values, and living in close quarters with someone else at Concordia may be your first opportunity to learn some essential skills for getting along with others.
Concordia works hard to match suitable roommates together, but even the best matches might produce some learning moments because living together involves skills that are being developed. An exhaustive list of skills takes a lifetime to learn and would not be universal for all based on individual values and preferences, but listed below are a few things you might want to consider as you get started.
Your roommate might become your best friend, but it is possible to be a good roommate even if you are not best friends. Three keys are consideration, respect, and communication. Your roommate may have ideas and values that are different than yours - please consider and respect her/his views and boundaries. Roommates do not have to agree on everything, but it is helpful to communicate clearly and openly with your roommate to find common ground and understanding.
Roommates will typically wish to work out in advance things like sharing the space. It likely will not be welcomed if you spread your items all over the entire room, or borrow something from your roommate without assuring beforehand that is OK. You might make agreements at the beginning about sharing or jointly purchasing certain items or about decorating the room in a certain way, and constantly communicate with each other during the year to avoid misunderstandings and unpleasantness.
Keen observation and perception are also keys to living successfully together - watch the other person to see what is working well and what may perhaps need some polishing. Many people have different tolerances for odors in a shared and confined space, and views about adequate hygiene are not universal. Hopefully open and honest and respectful communication can help clear the air.
Concordia has a professional hall staff of people to make living together easier - if you have concerns please try to work it out with your roommate, and involve the RA or hall staff if needed. Every student will not necessarily get her/his way about every concern, but we hope all students will feel safe and comfortable in their rooms. |
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