The Roommate Fairy Tale
Tips for making the journey of living
with your roommate a fairy tale.
Created by Ashlee Norris
Western Washington University
Once upon a time, a
excited student came to a
kingdom otherwise WWU.
They met their new
roommate and everything
was great until…
their roommate…
Stopped taking showers
Listens to their stereo very
loudly
Borrows CD’s, clothes,
toiletries and money without
asking and does not return
them
Snores loudly
Came home intoxicated
Stayed up late talking on the phone
Let’s partner sleepover
without asking
Yells and gets
angry very easily
The excited student
became frustrated
and did not know
what do, so they
turned to the their
fairy Godmother to
see how to inform
their roommate
about how they
were feeling.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 1:
Be true to Yourself and Your
Roommate
When you first meet your roommate, be
yourself, so that they get to know the real
you from the beginning of the relationship.
Try to get to know your roommate, don’t
brush them off based on their appearance,
you will never get to know what they are all
about if you don’t try.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 2: Speak
up. Get to know your roommate.
Even if you're not great friends, you'll
be able to get along better if you
understand each other. Discuss what
you expect from each other. Don't be
afraid to tell your roommate if his/her
actions bother you. Let each other
know when important events (tests,
papers, games, etc.) are coming up.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 3:
Silence is NOT Golden
• You shouldn't be afraid to
discuss things with your
roommate, but you'll
probably be better off if
you don't tell your
roommate about all of her
little annoying habits.
• Think long term. You're
going to have to live with
your roommate for an
entire school year, so
don't nit-pick or judge her
on how she acts the first
week of school
• It takes people a while to
adjust to college life and
living with a stranger, so
give your roommate the
benefit of the doubt
before criticizing his/her
actions.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 4:
Plan ahead
• Decide how you're going
to handle financial
obligations (e.g. phone
bill, groceries) ahead of
time so there won't be
any misunderstandings
when it's time to pay.
• You should also discuss
whether borrowing or
using each other's
property (e.g. stereo,
clothes, toiletries, etc.) is
cool. Establishing
boundaries is fine as long
as both roommates are
aware of them.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 5:
Establish company policy
Decide whether it's acceptable to
bring a boyfriend/girlfriend back
to the room. Figure out how the
roommate entertaining a guest
will let the other roommate know
when he/she has company.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 6:
Do unto others...
Whether you like your roommate or not,
treat him with the consideration that you'd
like to be treated with. Set an example and
with any luck your roommate will catch on.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 7:
Give a little.
• If you're naturally a slob, you should learn to be neat
to the extent that you don't encroach on your
roommate's space.
• If you're a neat freak, remember that your roommate
may not be as offended by mess as you are.
You don't have to subvert
your personality to get
along with another person,
but be prepared to
compromise.
Fairy Godmother Rule # 8:
Don't Stress
Most roommates naturally
figure out how to get along
even if they don't become
best friends. In the unlikely
event that you find yourself in
a living situation that's
unbearable, you should meet
with your RA to discuss a new
way to approach your
roommate or other options.
The excited student listed to The Fairy Godmother and
realized that by just talking with their roommate
compromises were established, and they lived happily
every after…
The moral of this story is
you and your roommate
may or may not have a
fairy tale relationship, but
you can find happiness in
your living situation.
The End
Adpated from http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/college/?article=RoommateTips