Totally messy
You've got yourself a cosy room in the hostel or a comfortable paying guest accommodation. Everything is on track except that your roommate - who seems like a nice person - is way too sloppy. It goes without saying that both of you will have to work harder to keep the space clean. But before you start posting mean things about the mate, talk it out.
• Tip: Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it. If this does not work, pile all the things your roomie keeps scattered around in one place, say his chair. This gives you more space for yourself as well as sends a message (a little passive aggressive) that you can't tolerate the mess. Finally, talk to your mate and start sending reminders to clean up. If there is no improvement, find a new roommate.
Missing mate
Your ideal day in college may have included hanging out with your roomie, bonding over snacks and a movie. The reality, you find, is very different. He or she is hardly ever in the room - and that too only to change into a fresh set of clothes or after a fight with friends. Your roommate could have such an active social life that he or she is never home or could be inseparable from a significant other or friends.
• Tip: Look at the bright side: you have the room all to ourself and can invite friends over - of course with your roommate's permission - whenever you want to. If the lack of bonding bothers you, invite your roommate to hang out on the odd days he or she comes back to the room. At least find out where and with whom he or she is spending time. You want to make sure she's not getting herself into trouble.
Three is a crowd
No one wants a secret surprise roommate. If your roommate's annoying boyfriend/girlfriend or clingy buddy is at your place all the time, there are high chances of it getting on your nerves. You didn't sign up to live with two people. n Tip: If you are bringing someone along, seek your roomie's permission. If your roommate is the one bringing in guests regularly, set boundaries and let him or her know.
Sleep schedule
It's 3am, you're trying to sleep, and your roommate is binge watching TV shows, or talking to someone loudly at an hour when even a whisper sounds like a shout. Or, he/she is sleeping - and snoring deafeningly. It gets even more difficult for roommates who have different work or college shifts.
• Tip: You should not be compromising on sleep, so confront the problem head on and find a solution. Perhaps your roomie could wear headphones while watching TV after 11pm - so that you make it to your 8am class -and take their loud phone conversations outside. If you just can't work out a system that allows you to get some shut-eye, invest in ear plugs and a sleep mask.
