6 Ways To Survive Living With Two Roommates

It doesn't get any worse than finding yourself in a three-person suite your freshman year of college. This is supposed to be a fresh start for you, and then you discover two other people living in your closet-sized space, and you wonder how you're going to survive a triple dorm room. Spoiler alert: it's not going to be easy. You don't know these people, and you're somehow supposed to cram all of your crap into a tiny little space, with them doing the same. You are about to go from complete strangers to strangely intimate pals, because you'll learn their odd quirks better than their friends.

Coming out of this situation with your sanity intact may seem like a truly difficult task, but it can be done. First of all, you need to keep an open mind. This is college, and you are on the cusp of a million new experiences that will solidify your independence, and really make you into a grownup. As long as the three of you set some basic ground rules, you can absolutely get through this without hating each other in the end. Here's what you need to survive a triple dorm room without going completely bonkers.

1. Establish food rules

This is a must. If you're not into sharing your food, be upfront about it, and make sure everyone labels their stuff so there's no confusion.

2. Come up with a borrowing policy

Extending beyond just food, make sure you know where you stand in terms of borrowing clothes, school supplies, each other's computers, and more. If you are all cool sharing an item here and there, then great! But don't take something without asking first.

3. Create a way to overcome distractions

You're expected to study in your room and get your homework done, regardless of how many noisy roommates you have. So get some noise-canceling headphones, and tuck yourself into a section of the room where you won't be bothered.

4. Get comfortable with the common room or library

Sometimes noise-canceling headphones just won't do. Whether your roommate has put a sock on the doorknob, or they just need some private time to themselves, you need to find a place that's comfortable and ideal for studying outside of your room. That way, if you ever get truly annoyed with your roomies, you have a place to escape.

5. Embrace your tiny space

In a room that's the size of a bathroom, you need to find a way to make it home. That means decorating your tiny portion of the room to your liking, and embracing it as your own. Think of it as your own cozy little nest.

6. Practice patience

If you're not used to sharing your room with others, then this might be a tough transition for you. But it's probably a tough transition for your roommates too. So go into each day assuming that they are trying their best to deal with this cramped space, just like you, and give them the benefit of the doubt. It'll go a long way towards your overall survival. Promise.

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