With this fall semester having new rules and restrictions due to COVID-19, Colorado Mesa University (CMU) students are learning how to get along with and live with their roommates and suitemates in response to limited room changes.
Students around campus shared their thoughts on how to keep civility and respect for the people they live with so that the semester goes smoothly.
Sometimes students have trouble confronting their roommates about things that bother them, because they may not know the people they’re living with very well.
“Be very upfront with your roommates about your expectations and their expectations,” Nichole Spravka, Resident Assistant in Lucero said. “If you keep acting like everything’s fine then the tension just builds and eventually it’s gonna blow through. If you keep telling each other what’s bothering you, like having that open communication, then you should be better off than if you were to hide everything.”
Some students with roommate struggles in years prior worry that without being able to change rooms, they could get stuck in the same situation. Payton Pemberton, a sophomore, explained what helped her last year when it came to talking with her roommate.
“I think last year, it was nice to confront them and tell them what I was expecting out of them, and they would tell me what they expected from me,” Pemberton said. “It helps when you’re on the same page whether or not you like each other. You’re still acquaintances and you still understand that each of you have needs.”
Pemberton brought up the importance of understanding that the spaces we live in are shared. They do not just belong to us.
“People need to come together and understand that they share a kitchen, or a living area, or a bathroom. They don’t just belong to one person,” Pemberton said.
Other individuals have never had an issue with their roommates and are discovering what it’s like to communicate and get along this semester.
“Last year I only had one roommate and we got along great. We communicated to each other how we felt and gave each other space when we needed it,” sophomore Kailey Case said. “This year I have four suitemates and it’s a little harder to communicate with all of them. I tend to write letters to express how I feel and it’s definitely worked. I think it is just important to keep your space clean and be considerate and respectful.”
Overall, these CMU students believe it is important to communicate with your roommates and suitemates.
“If you have an issue with someone or the way someone does something, then confront them about it. The last thing you want is for your feelings to explode and make the situation worse,” Case said.
With limited room changes, it may be difficult to learn to communicate but it’s an opportunity for our students to get acquainted with the people they live with.
