Roommate Survival Kit: Essential Items Every College Student Needs to Co-Exist Peacefully

By Garth Brunner

Sharing a small space like a dorm with a roommate, whether you know them well or not, can be challenging. We have different lives, schedules, and habits which can be frustrating to deal with if you two clash. Luckily, it can be made a little easier when you purchase specific items. Here is a list of the must-have essential items every college student needs to co-exist peacefully with their roommates.

Roommate Finder: Roommate Survival Kit: Essential Items Every College Student Needs to Co-Exist Peacefully

Whiteboard Calendar

One essential item to help you and your roommates co-exist peacefully is a whiteboard calendar or a regular whiteboard. A calendar allows you to put your class schedules especially when you are all first adjusting to the beginning of a semester. While you might not think you need your roommates’ schedule, it will be nice to know when you will have alone time in your dorm.

You can also use a calendar to circle important dates, such as deadlines or tests. This gives your roommate a heads up on when you might need some quiet time, so they don’t blast music or games throughout the whole day leading up to it. Of course, you will do the same when your roommate circles a big day. Whether you compromise on being quiet in the dorm or one of you heads out to the library or to hang out with other friends, it will help make boundaries clear.

If your calendar whiteboard has room or you get a regular whiteboard, you can use it to write reminders for each other, when you’ll be back if you’re out, or a chore chart.

Chore Chart

A chore chart may sound juvenile, but it is a key to co-existing with your roommate. If you like a clean room and your roommate doesn’t care about cleanliness, you might find their lack of work extremely frustrating. You two can create a chore chart together. Look around your dorm or apartment and see what needs to be done: Cleaning common spaces and bathrooms, taking the trash out, doing dishes, and more!

It should never be on one roommate to do everything around the dorm. You two are sharing the space, so you should contribute equally. You can choose specific chores for each person or rotate them each week or month if that feels more fair plus how often they should be done. Having this easily accessible and visible to both of you will increase the likelihood of them being completed. It may take some getting used to, but do not give up!

Noise Canceling Headphones

Another item you might want to look into purchasing is noise-canceling headphones for yourself. Sometimes, it may not be possible for your roommate to be quiet, especially depending on the kind of person they are. Plus, trekking to the library and back late at night is not something you’ll want to do often. Save yourself and buy a pair of noise-canceling headphones so you can focus in the comfort of your own room while also playing a nice motivating study playlist. You can also use them for long rides, going to the gym, or just a short walk to class making them well worth the money.

Room Dividers

You should also look into purchasing a room divider, ideally one that folds away. Dorm rooms are small and it might feel like you are on display and do not have privacy. By buying a room divider, you can set it up when you just want to exist without any major disturbances or discomfort. If this is your first time living with a roommate, this might be necessary to adjust to such a new living situation. When you want to chat or don’t mind your roommate’s presence, fold it and put it away! There are some pretty affordable and portable options. Speak with your roommate and maybe you two can split the cost, especially if it’s something you both want.

Dedicated Spaces for Each Roommate

Whether the space you’re sharing is one room or multiple, each roommate should have a dedicated space that is only theirs. Do not take things from these places, touch anything, or invade when not welcome. By having these spaces other people should not invade, it gives you a small oasis for yourself, as well as peace of mind. Respect everyone’s boundaries and your roommate should follow suit. This can be your bedroom if applicable, or only your bed, your desk area, or anywhere else you would prefer.

Communication

Lastly, while not an item, communication is essential to co-exist with any roommate. As lovely as it would be for your roommates to be able to read your mind and know when you want them to clean up after themselves, unfortunately, it is not possible. By speaking about and communicating your expectations verbally, not just on your whiteboard, your dorm will be much more peaceful and you will be able to co-exist with your roommate. Look into these essential items and see what works for you to have the best roommate experience.

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