Задание №15 — Чтение

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Living in a dorm

Arriving in a dorm for the first time is a thrilling moment. Living independently away from home, being around so many new people – all that seems like an exciting adventure. However, finding yourself in a small space with a complete stranger (or several strangers) might be difficult at first. If you have ever shared a room with a sibling, you have some idea of it. But that isn’t enough, as students come from different backgrounds and have different family traditions, habits, and preferences. Their expectations and attitudes towards what is acceptable or what is not also vary widely.

My first tip is to discuss the ground rules from the start. Sharing your expectations with your roommates can save you all a lot of trouble in the future. Discuss how shared and personal space will be kept, what items are okay to share and which are off-limits, when it is okay to invite visitors or overnight guests, what the study hours are, what the standard lights-out time is, if you should leave the room when your roommate has a call from home, etc. You might even get a set of rules written or printed out on a wall for reference. This may sound kind of lame, but believe me, you won’t regret doing it. This doesn’t mean that the rules are set in stone. Revise these policies and compromise if you feel something isn’t working for everyone in the room.

If you have never shared a room, you might have a lot of arguments over chores. That’s why I advise you to assign the chores and discuss how you will keep the place tidy – and hold each other accountable if anything is amiss. Consider keeping a chore board, including washing dishes, sweeping/vacuuming the floor, taking the trash out, etc. Define what “clean” is for every one of you, and come to a definition that all the roommates can agree on. Take turns doing chores or distribute areas of responsibility – whichever suits you all. I used to live with a super-neat and house-proud girl who cleaned the room twice as often as I would. I tried to compensate by cooking for us, washing dishes, and taking the trash out. That worked for us, since everyone did what they liked most.

Probably, the most important thing is to respect boundaries and privacy. The golden rule of communal living is “It never hurts to ask.” Thinking of inviting a classmate over for a cup of tea later than usual? Text your roommate to ask if it’s okay. Going to use the shower for 40 minutes straight for impromptu SPA treatments? Inform your roommate and ask if you can have a bathroom to yourself for all this time. Want to pick up and read their book? Ask. Planning a party in your room? Ask! Even if your roommate has never been against rowdy gatherings before, this time might be different. They might have an assignment deadline looming. You don’t want them to hate you while they sit in the corner with a sour face, frantically searching for paper writers for hire. This approach has another benefit. Your roommate is likely to mirror your behaviour. By asking them about something, you send them a message that such things should be asked of you, as well.

And finally, plan bonding with your roommates. It’s always beneficial to get to know the people you are going to live with. Go and have a pizza together, organize a movie night in your room, go to a campus event, or pick any other activity you all will enjoy. You don’t necessarily have to become best friends. Sometimes roommates are just that – roommates. You can have different preferences and lifestyles. The important thing is to respect each other’s boundaries, have empathy, and be civil and cooperative.

College flies by, so stay positive and don’t let anything spoil the experience for you.