By Candace McClelland
Contributing Writer
Many incoming freshmen and transfer students look forward to the new experience of being away at school. Living in dorms, meeting new people, doing what you feel like doing - these are some of the things that make college the best place to grow.
Dealing with a roommate can be one of the biggest factors in enjoying that first year.
"Roommates are challenging," said Danny Armitage, Residence Life Director. "Many students don't have to share their rooms with a sibling."
The biggest issue with roommates is space. Most students try to bring everything from home, so that they won't feel home sick. Consider that your roommate may be doing the same thing.
"We clashed at first," said Carlton Levine, University of Memphis graduate student. "He didn't respect my space. I finally realized that I couldn't change him."
Space is not the only problem new roommates have to deal with when living together. Eating each other's food and not cleaning up could be some problems that you run into while living with some one else.
"I had a roommate freshmen year - I hated him," said Levine. "He kept his room and our common area dirty. His friends were always coming in and out of the apartment. I couldn't wait to get out."
Dealing with an international roommate could be a problem as well, because it's sometimes hard to communicate when there is a language barrier. Danny Armitage suggests that students try to teach each other about their culture or learn more about it on their own before moving into the dorm. This will encourage understanding between roommates.
There are some good roommates out there. Actually, there are more good roommates than bad - you just hear about the bad roommates more often.
"I had the same roommates since my freshman year," said Joletta Henderson, University of Memphis graduate. "We didn't let our problems get in the way of us forming a friendship."
Armitage said if the roommates would like to move into another room, there is a room changing period three days after moving into the dorm. The students have an opportunity to change rooms and building as long as there is space available. This usually lasts two or three days and it depends on the semester.
"Having a roommate is a like a marriage," he said. "Every time you get mad you can't say I want to move out."
Five Suggestions for New Roommates:
* Call your roommate before school starts. Talk about what you are going to bring. This helps with not having the same thing in the room and you get to know the person better. Ask the housing office for the person's phone number.
* Do not go into the living arrangement expecting bliss. You must communicate with each other. Consider each other's feelings.
* Do not involve your friends. Sometimes they make the situation worst.
* Ask yourself: what are they doing? Why does it bother me?
* COMMUNICATE! If you talk about the problem before it gets out of hand. You can solve it.
