Advice for New Students

How to be a great roommate

Rest assured that you'll have at least one thing in common with every other Connecticut College first-year student: You are all worried about what life as a roommate will be like! National statistics indicate that more than 95% of entering first-year college students have never shared a bedroom.

Don't feel compelled to become best friends for life with your roommate(s). You were not placed together on a friendship potential scale! There is nothing wrong with just being good roommates. Some students find they have positive roommate experiences when they get to know other people outside of the room as well.

Life with roommates can provide some of the most rewarding times you'll have at college. Many people develop lifelong relationships that begin with roommates and house mates. With a little effort, you can create a roommate experience that you will remember fondly for years to come.

Before coming to campus

We encourage you to write or call your roommate(s) over the summer once you've been informed by the Office of Residential Life & Housing who they are.

Here are some points to spark your thoughts about yourself as you start a conversation with them. Take time to consider how you would respond to each if you were speaking to a new roommate. After you have thought about these issues, discuss them with your roommate(s). This will be the first step in preparing to meet and understand one another!

Beyond offering superficial facts such as you hair color and height,  think about your personal background:

What would you tell someone about your family?

What is your hometown known for?

How do you characterize your neighborhood and the people where you live?

What were you involved in at your high school or your community?

What will you miss most while away from home?

What are some of your personal preferences and habits?

Describe your study habits.

What types of activities do you want to get involved with at Connecticut College?

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

How important is it for you to have a neat, clean room?

How do you feel about your possessions?

What items of yours should not be borrowed?

How easy is it for you to make new friends?

What types of music do you enjoy?

What do you do in your spare time?

How do you deal with stress?

When do you need to be alone?

What annoys you?

Open communication is essential between roommates right from the start. This is a time for you and your roommate(s) to set some basic guidelines and expectations for life in your room. These can be renegotiated over the course of the year as individual needs change. These agreements help new roommates add some structure to their new living arrangement. It is important to take this process seriously. It can simplify your life later!

Most important: Get to know your Housefellow!

Housefellows are trained to help with a wide variety of student issues.They are especially knowledgeable about roommate relationships, so they should be the first person you contact if problems happen to arise. During Freshman Orientation, your Housefellow will meet with you and your roommate(s) to help facilitate a productive discussion on being better roommates.Your Peer Adviser and Student Adviser can also be valuable resources in helping you deal with issues.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 16:32