College Roommates: Threes A Crowd

It's hard enough sharing a dorm room the size of a postage stamp with one person, but what happens when your roommate consistently invites friends and dates to hang out too? Even if you all get along, it can get old fast. Sometimes you just want a little privacy. At the very least, you don't want to feel like an outsider in your own room.

Whether you're dealing with your roommate's ever present love interest, or his obnoxious friends who "borrow" your stuff, you need to speak up. Roommate issues like this don't go away by ignoring them, so it's best to be upfront and work together to reach an understanding. Here are some tips that will help:

? Keep an open mind. It's possible that your roommate has no idea there's a problem, so don't assume he's trying to annoy you on purpose.

? Pick the right time to talk. Choose a time to speak to your roommate when the two of you can be alone. Explain that you have nothing against the other people involved, but you feel uncomfortable having them around all the time.

? Be assertive. Stand up for your own rights while respecting the rights of your roommate. You can't control who your roommate spends time with or when, but you do have a say when it affects your time in the room.

? Avoid accusations. Starting your sentences with, "you," sounds like an attack and will likely make your roommate defensive, as in: "You are being selfish." Instead, own your message by starting with, "I," as in: "I'm unhappy with this situation."

? Set reasonable expectations. If you leave the room every time your roommate has over a date or friend, he or she will assume nothing is wrong, and the problem will persist. Both sides need to compromise instead of one person making all the changes.

? Make a schedule. Discuss times when both of you need space to study, sleep, or just be alone and agree to make those times off-limits to guests.

If you don't like conflict, you may be tempted to avoid it by gossiping to other friends or complaining to your Resident Assistant without ever talking to your roommate first. Going around the issue will only makes things worse! By approaching your roommate calmly and respectfully, the two of you can work out an agreement that's fair without things getting blown out of proportion.

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor and author of the book, "My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy! Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell" (Adams Media). She offers more college survival tips on her site, http://www.myroommateisdrivingmecrazy.com.

---

Free Money For College

What if someone came up to you and offered you $5000 to attend college? Or after college, what if someone called you and asked if you wanted a couple thousand dollars to pay... Read More

Saving For College ? Your Number Two Priority

In today's highly competitive college admissions process, families must never lose sight of the fact that nothing is more important to parent or child than the student's acceptance to college. Your second priority... Read More

How To Improve Your Study Habits and Remember Better

If you're a student attending classes, you have probably experienced many moments when it was hard to make yourself settle down and study, even when an important exam was coming up.If you're like... Read More

Chiropractic Colleges

Before CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES & SCHOOLS accept one into their educational systems, it is recommended that students have earned a degree in the arts or sciences from an accredited college or university. Chiropractic colleges... Read More

Why are Some Online Degree Colleges Better than Others?

Any student who is on the lookout for online degree colleges would probably have been swamped with the many options marketed to them over the internet. Therefore, it is not a wonder that... Read More

Physical Therapy Schools

Physical Therapy Schools administer course instruction to potential physical therapists. Physical therapy schools help students to meet physical therapy requirements and the ability to pass a licensure exam before physical therapists can begin... Read More

How to Choose the Right School For You

Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions, it is time for you to choose which college to attend. For some, this choice is easy. Maybe you were admitted early decision... Read More

Scholarships not Working for You Neither, Huh?

We're going to college, and we need cash. We have tuition and food, housing, books... like I said, we need cash. We hear about these billions of dollars of unclaimed scholarship money just... Read More

Making the Most of Your Summer

At last, summer is here! After a school year full of hard work, you can finally put away your books, break out your bikinis, and soak up the sunshine. This is not only... Read More

Acing the SAT Exam

Don't cheat. This goes without saying for 999 out of 1000 students (hopefully even more!) but cheating is not the way to score high on the SAT exam. Not only do you sacrifice... Read More

Need Help Paying Back Student Loans?

Many college students and graduates are looking for a solution for their student loan debt. While borrowers may be having difficulty paying back student loans, there is help. Solutions for paying back student... Read More

College Admissions Essays that Take 1st Place -A Personal Statement Checklist

Congratulations on your move toward a college degree. And congratulations on seeking support for writing your admissions essay/personal statement. The squeaky motor gets the oil, so you will be slick and running sleekly... Read More

Why Pursue Your Degree Online?

Distance education has been around longer than people may realise. A system which teaches students without requiring that they actually be present, distance learning was pioneered in 1946, by the University of South... Read More

On-line Universities and Degrees ? Find the Right One for You

The first step to finding the right online university is to decide what degree you want. Do you want an undergraduate or graduate degree? Are you interested in a certificate program for work... Read More

Exam Guides One: 5 Great Tips To Improve Your Strategy

In order to do well on a exam, you must first have a good knowledge of the information that is being examined. But, aside that, you must have a good strategy for taking... Read More

The Key to Online College Classes - Have It Your Way

Never before has online education been more esteemed than today. In most circles online learning is haled as a viable alternative to traditional classroom settings. Not long ago, distance learning was perceived as... Read More

What Are Online Masters Degrees?

Online masters degrees are higher education college degrees that are earned over the Internet. In order to apply, individuals must first have a bachelor's degree in the same field of study as the... Read More

9 Lessons for Success in College - That Actually Make Sense

Most students know what it takes to be successful in college because some genius told them already. But here's the news flash: The prescription probably won't work. Why? Free advice is usually forgettable... Read More

Need Money for College?

Finding money for college can be a challenge for many students and their families. While saving in advance is the best choice, many times saving money for college is not easy for families.... Read More

How to eMail Your Professor

So its 12:30 Pm and there you are at the computer trying to refresh the email inbox page. The big test is tomorrow and your Professor still hasn't replied back, but why? Contrary... Read More

I Hate My Roommate!

So its the beginning of the school year, your first day of class is over, and you just want to sit down and relax for a moment because you know that the rest... Read More

Online Degree Education - Advantages

Distance education has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it isn't new. Correspondence courses have been around for over a century, allowing students to complete assignments and mail them to an... Read More

Who Can Apply For Online Nursing Degrees?

Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of healthcare and nursing that are obtained via the Internet. Online nursing degrees are great ways for registered nurses to further their careers without... Read More

How to Give Yourself a Raise with an Online College Degree

There are many people today from all walks of life who are getting an online college degree from home. Dollar for dollar, an online college degree or post graduate work pays off.The quickest... Read More

Student Loans ? Ensuring a Brighter Future Ahead

Higher education in the university gives students a chance to open up. They have a completely new world to deal with. Malcolm Forbes says, "Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with... Read More

Study More Effectively

If you are studying for an exam or if you need to learn some material for a presentation, you may be wondering how early you should start to study, and how often you... Read More

Commercialisation of Higher Education in South Africa

Introduction and Literature ReviewSouth African education policies place priority on addressing historical education imbalances, but should also be sensitive to the demands of an ever-increasing global knowledge-driven environment. The educational system cannot be... Read More

Why Study the Flows of Civilization?

The reason to study the flows of civilization is out of the growing concern of the direction the United States is heading. Without a doubt the US of A is by far the... Read More

What to Look For When Choosing an Online University

A college degree gives a person a guarantee of higher wages and a better job. Sadly, many Americans continue to go on without having a college degree. Using an online university is a... Read More