At some point in your life you will have to face a challenging roommate situation, and if somehow by God’s grace you never have to face it, then you are the luckiest person on planet Earth (and at DU). Here’s the thing though: after living with the same person for an extended amount of time—after all the snoring, sharing food issues and the stolen sweater battles—you are bound to break. Little arguments turn huge, and then all of a sudden you are facing an awkward and tension-filled existence of avoiding your dorm room and hiding from your once-so-sweet roomy.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely a scale on which to measure your roommate’s “bad” behavior, and some actions are a lot worse than others. Little arguments about who really ate the last Pop Tart are thwarted by large-scale cat fights and brawls. But the same principle still applies. Roommate issues are inevitable, and the best way to face them is head on. Don’t let frustrations simmer. Don’t pretend like everything is okay when you know it’s not. If something is bothering you, bring it up as soon as you can (most definitely not in passive-aggressive sticky note form). Talking face-to-face is the best way to deal with any issues small or large, and the fastest way to deal with problems and move on with life. And if you ever feel like you’re in danger or something really serious may happen, do not be afraid to get your RA involved. That’s why they are here.
If the problem seems to be unsolvable, DU has constructed a system in which you are able to switch roommates. The third Friday of every quarter, students are allowed to switch rooms and live with a more suitable roommate match. This is often the case when first years come into school not knowing many people, and as they meet friends, decide to switch rooms to feel more comfortable and have a memorable college experience. This switch is not frowned upon, and on that day it is not uncommon to see several students moving their belongings across the hall or to a different floor.
Other resources available to you are:
The Health and Counselling Center offers counseling if needed. The office is located in the third floor of the Ritchie Athletic Center. (303) 871-2205
The Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE) (307) 871- 3853
Campus Safety (303) 871-2334
No one comes to college wanting to deal with a terrible roommate situation—for some students, a bad roommate is their biggest fear. People come to DU to experience some of the best years of their lives. We come to grow, to learn more about the world and ourselves and most importantly to have fun. The best way to make the most of your college experience is to face problems head-on and to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. Don’t be afraid to use the resources available to you, and don’t forget what college is all about: to find your place in this world.
