When you’re getting ready for college, you have to make a lot of decisions. Where to go? What scholarships should I apply for? Should I join an Honors program? Can I really afford this? Close to home or far away? Laptop made for gaming or one made for studying? Yes, yes, these are all very important questions. But, the one that gave us the most trouble was deciding whether or not we wanted to live on campus.
We weren’t extremely enthusiastic about having a dorm room, but Appalachian has a freshman policy that you must stay on campus your freshman year. And I’m glad we did! When it’s time for you to make this decision, you really should stay on campus at least one semester. It cuts out a lot of stress and travel time. Not to mention the fact that you immediately make several new friends: your roommate(s), neighbors, and hall mates. A dorm room may freak you out, but don’t worry; it isn’t as bad as it looks.
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Just be sure to choose your dorm building carefully. If the college you finally choose to go to has options, check them out before hand. Some dorm buildings or floors may be designed for people with certain interests, majors or hobbies. Try to get into a dorm or hall where you will be surrounded by people that you have something in common with.
And be roommate picky! Don’t just get stuck with whomever your college tries to put you with. Search out a roommate ahead of time—someone from your school, someone you meet at orientation, even someone you find on Facebook. Some colleges offer to let you take a quiz (kind of like a personality test) that will match you with similar roommates. Do it!
Once you’re all moved in, set the ground rules. This is an important part of making the on campus experience go smoothly. You are going to be with your roommate for a while, so start off on the right foot. Jay and I knew each other pretty well (duh!) when we started rooming together. But, being sisters, we were doomed to fight from the start. What really helped us was the roommate agreement form the university made us fill out. It was basically a Roommate Contract that laid out the rules for us. And now we’ve made you one!
Your college may hand out one, but Jay and I feel like this one is a bit more comprehensive. We included the usual questions as well as some that resolves issues the two of us faced later on. We suggest talking to your roommate about it before you move in. If your university gives you one, fill it out. And then you can use this one and keep it between the two of you. Try filling it out the day you move in and getting it signed and ready. Then redo it at the start of each semester. This way, if your schedules changes or you feel like you need to try something new, you can work it all out.
To download a blank copy of Em and Jay’s Roommate Contract, simply click here! We’ve filled out an example contract below.
Your college may hand out one, but Jay and I feel like this one is a bit more comprehensive. We included the usual questions as well as some that resolves issues the two of us faced later on. We suggest talking to your roommate about it before you move in. If your university gives you one, fill it out. And then you can use this one and keep it between the two of you. Try filling it out the day you move in and getting it signed and ready. Then redo it at the start of each semester. This way, if your schedules changes or you feel like you need to try something new, you can work it all out.
To download a blank copy of Em and Jay’s Roommate Contract, simply click here! We’ve filled out an example contract below.
This is an example of a completed contract. The answers are just filled in to show you how if might be done. Answers should be specific for you and your roommate. These answers are not fully detailed or accurate. Roommates Jenny and Jane are fictional and created just for this example (in case you were wondering).
Roommate Contract
This Contract is for residences of East Block Room 01.
Housekeeping
(How will responsibilities concerning room cleanliness be handled? Consider responsibilities such as trash, dishes, laundry, and clutter.)
(How will responsibilities concerning room cleanliness be handled? Consider responsibilities such as trash, dishes, laundry, and clutter.)
- We will each handle our own housekeeping.
- We will help one another with all housekeeping.
- We will share some responsibilities. Yes.
We will each take out our own trash when our trash can gets full/before it starts to smell and we will wash our own dishes. They should not sit in the sink for more than 2 days. We will do laundry together on weekends. We will take turns vacuuming and dusting (if one person vacuums the other dusts). We will keep clutter to a minimum.
Sleeping Habits
(Consider the sleeping habits of each person. How early do you get up? If one party gets up before the other(s), how many lights may they turn on? How much noise is acceptable? How late do you go to bed? If one party goes to bed later than the other(s), how many lights may they turn on? How much noise is acceptable? How can you work together so that each party can have a good night’s sleep?)
Sleeping Habits
(Consider the sleeping habits of each person. How early do you get up? If one party gets up before the other(s), how many lights may they turn on? How much noise is acceptable? How late do you go to bed? If one party goes to bed later than the other(s), how many lights may they turn on? How much noise is acceptable? How can you work together so that each party can have a good night’s sleep?)
In the morning: (Time, lights, noise, etc.)
Jenny gets up at 7. Jane gets up at 7:30. The light above the sink can be turned on. There will be minimum noise (i.e. no music) but a hair dryer is okay.
Jenny gets up at 7. Jane gets up at 7:30. The light above the sink can be turned on. There will be minimum noise (i.e. no music) but a hair dryer is okay.
In the evening: (Time, lights, noise, etc.)
Jane usually goes to bed at 11. Jenny goes to bed at 12. The lights will not be turned on, there will be minimum noise. PJs/toothbrush/etc. will be easily accessible so Jenny can get ready without waking Jane up.
Study/Quiet Time
(What are your hours of study time? What should noise levels be during this time? Is it okay for your roommate(s) to work on the computer when you are asleep? Are there different conditions for the weekend?)
We both study from 3 to 5. Headphones should be used. If you have a test/exam, you can study on your laptop after I go to bed. Study hours on the weekend are from 11 to 1.
Privacy
(What items in the room can be shared? What items are not to be shared? Consider items such as food, dishes, and electronics. What areas are ‘just yours?’ What do you need to do to maintain privacy in the room? Also consider significant others. Are they allowed to spend the night? Is sex allowed in the room when other parties are there? When they are not there?)
Dishes, TV and coffeemaker can be shared. Food/refrigerator space, clothes and closet space are divided up. Significant others are allowed to spend the night if given 48 hours advanced notice. Sex is not allowed in the room. If you need a private moment, put a rubber band on the door, but understand the other person may need access to the room. They will knock or call first.
General Room Rules
Jane usually goes to bed at 11. Jenny goes to bed at 12. The lights will not be turned on, there will be minimum noise. PJs/toothbrush/etc. will be easily accessible so Jenny can get ready without waking Jane up.
Study/Quiet Time
(What are your hours of study time? What should noise levels be during this time? Is it okay for your roommate(s) to work on the computer when you are asleep? Are there different conditions for the weekend?)
We both study from 3 to 5. Headphones should be used. If you have a test/exam, you can study on your laptop after I go to bed. Study hours on the weekend are from 11 to 1.
Privacy
(What items in the room can be shared? What items are not to be shared? Consider items such as food, dishes, and electronics. What areas are ‘just yours?’ What do you need to do to maintain privacy in the room? Also consider significant others. Are they allowed to spend the night? Is sex allowed in the room when other parties are there? When they are not there?)
Dishes, TV and coffeemaker can be shared. Food/refrigerator space, clothes and closet space are divided up. Significant others are allowed to spend the night if given 48 hours advanced notice. Sex is not allowed in the room. If you need a private moment, put a rubber band on the door, but understand the other person may need access to the room. They will knock or call first.
General Room Rules
1) Cell Phones in the room…
- Should be on vibrate
- Should be on a low setting
- Should be turned off
- Does not matter
- Should be on vibrate during study hours and on silent at night unless it's an emergency. It doesn't matter otherwise.
- Whatever you want them to be.
- Low Yes
- Always use headphones. Upon Request.
- Yes
- No
- Only if I want to hang it on common wall space.
- Yes
- No Yes
- Only after _______O’clock
5) Overnight guests are allowed in the room.
- Yes, anytime.
- Yes (Specify time: On the Weekends)
- No
- A couple of hours
- 24 hours Yes
- Other (Specify: _________________________________________________________ )
8) When I am not present, my roommate and guests may use my stuff (i.e. sitting on a bed/futon, watching a TV, etc.).
- Yes
- Yes, but only certain items (specify: May sit on bed, watch TV, and those with permission may play video game)
- No
- Yes (Conditions: ________________________________________________________ )
- No Yes
- Yes (Conditions: ________________________________________________________ )
- No Yes
- Writing them a note. Yes
- Writing them an email.
- Texting them.
- Calling them on the phone.
- Talking to them in person.
- Ignoring the problem and hoping it gets better.
Other
(Are there any other rules or conditions that need to be discussed?)
(Are there any other rules or conditions that need to be discussed?)
N/A
By signing this contract, I understand that these rules and guidelines agreed upon are to be used to promote happiness within our room and between roommates. I understand that all parties have an equal right to the space, except in areas designated within this contract. My responsibilities and expectations have been outlined and I will do my best to follow these points. I agree to respect my roommate(s) and my roommate’s property. I agree to work towards making this experience enjoyable for everyone.
_______Jenny_____________________________________00/00/00________________
Signature Date
_____Jane_______________________________________00/00/00__________________
Signature Date
By signing this contract, I understand that these rules and guidelines agreed upon are to be used to promote happiness within our room and between roommates. I understand that all parties have an equal right to the space, except in areas designated within this contract. My responsibilities and expectations have been outlined and I will do my best to follow these points. I agree to respect my roommate(s) and my roommate’s property. I agree to work towards making this experience enjoyable for everyone.
_______Jenny_____________________________________00/00/00________________
Signature Date
_____Jane_______________________________________00/00/00__________________
Signature Date
