Here’s the picture: you’re a freshman at Cedarville University, and you’ve finished your first month with your roommate. Though you started the semester on good terms, by the end of the month, there’ve been enough dirty clothes crossing borders and trash piling and spreading across the room, and you’ve lost a lot of sleep after your roommate’s many late-nighters. Things are getting tense.
Now, depending on where home is, you may not be used to sharing one building with a hundred people. Even those who grew up in an apartment building like me may still not be used to sharing a bathroom with the whole building. I’m sorry to say that, when it comes to room and board, Cedarville (or any university for that matter) is unlikely to offer you your own private suite. Unless you live locally or apply to live off campus, you can expect to share a room with one person and a bathroom with at least half a dozen more.
However, shared space is hardly the end of the world, and it can even be a joy when everyone is courteous! You can easily avoid any dorm tension if you take the time to keep in mind a few basic rules of dorm room etiquette. Below are a few of my tips based on lessons I have learned along the way as a junior here at Cedarville.
Room Checks
The first thing you’ll want to keep in mind are room checks. These are weekly check-ups RDs do in rooms, shared lounges in unit-style dorms, and bathrooms to make sure they are being kept neat and tidy. If beds are unmade, floors are cluttered, or your trash is full, you will be charged a small fee. They’re not fun, I’ll admit, but they are a great way to make sure your room stays clean. My schedule has gotten especially busy this semester, and more days than I’d care to admit, clothes piled up on my desk, books scattered on my bed, and basically everything was topsy turvy. Room checks may have taken a few minutes out of my evenings and mornings, but they kept me doing homework in a clean, orderly space instead of surrounded by dirty laundry. Make sure to keep your room tidy for room checks for your sake and your roommate’s.
Room Set Up
Second, be considerate to your roommate when it comes to organizing the room. The size of your room depends on the dorm you choose, but no matter what the size, you want to be considerate to the person sharing the room with you. On day one, roommates typically decide how to divide up the room and place beds, desks, and dressers. I trust that any future Cedarville student reading this is familiar with the golden rule of kindergarten: “sharing is caring.” Be considerate when it comes to choosing who gets what half of the room and whose desk will be closer to the window. You can show Christ through the way you show your roommate hospitality.
Now, Cedarville will provide your room with necessities, like a bed, dresser, desk, chair, and closet, but you’ll have to provide extra things, such as decorations, a microwave, and a fridge, yourself. Traditionally, one roommate brings a fridge and the other brings a microwave. If you can, discuss with your roommate ahead of time to decide who will bring what shared items. You don’t want to end up with two fridges or two microwaves!
Mind Your Manners
Well, now you have a clean and evenly divided room. Now it is the time to talk about dorm manners, which apply to more than just your roommate. Even if your side of the room is pristine, it won’t excuse being disruptive in the middle of the night and causing your roommate and hallmates to lose sleep!
You and your roommate will need to set up a system for what to do when one of you needs to study while the other is ready for bed. Generally, if one of you is ready to sleep and the other is not, it’s common courtesy to take your homework or other activities out into the hallway, shared lounge, or study room. You may get lucky and both be night owls or early birds, but if not, you don’t want to test your roommate’s patience by keeping the bright lights on at 1 a.m. or click-clacking on your keyboard all throughout the night. You and your roommate will need to agree on a system early on that is fair and considerate.
Shared Study Spaces
When working in the hallway or the lounge, be considerate of the other people in the dorm. The rooms aren’t soundproof, and while click-clacking keyboards may not be heard, the volume of your voice and the sound from your computer or phone can be. Practice keeping your voice low for any late night talking to allow your hallmates to sleep or focus on their work. Also, add headphones or earbuds to your packing list!
As a reminder, it is just as important to clean up after yourself in these spaces as it is in your room, especially since this space is shared with the entire dorm or unit, not just your roommate. Throw away any snacks or scrap paper and remember to collect your things before you return to your room. If you walk into a study room and someone is already studying, you are perfectly welcome to ask to share the room. Likewise, be willing to share spaces with others.
Bathrooms
Finally, let’s talk about the place where RAs are often most concerned: the bathrooms. Few people have had the privilege of having their own bathroom, so I trust that most of you can understand the small hassle of sharing a toilet with parents and siblings. However, unlike bathrooms at home, you won’t want to leave your things on the sink counter since others also need to use that space. Carrying around a bathroom caddy to and from your room is the most convenient solution to this problem.
In the shower area, remember to collect all items before leaving the stall. But be aware of the state of the shower when you leave. Clean up any messes like extra soap suds, hair dye, etc., and your dorm will be full of happy campers!
Sharing Is Caring
“Sharing is caring” does not just apply to kindergarteners. You’re likely going to be in a shared space with many other Cedarville students. I’m sure you were already familiar with most of the common manners listed here in this blog, but being considerate of the people you share this space with is a huge aspect of dorm life.
Remember to do unto others as you would have them do unto you and show Christ by being a polite hallmate and especially a good roommate. I’m sure that after following these pieces of advice for the first month with your roommate, you will strike a comfortable balance.
Major and Year of Graduation: English Education, class of 2026
Favorite Study Spot: Besides my room (privacy is key cause if I start talking with friends I never get work done) CMC. I love being surrounded by books.
Favorite Music Artist: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Favorite Quote: “All war is deception.” – Sun Tzu (The Art of War)
What do You Like to do in Your Free Time? Write for fun (mainly creative fiction), play chess or computer games (especially with friends)
Tags: #advice, #college, #guide, #helpful, #personal, #residencehalls, #studentguide, #studentlife
Posted in: College Life, Lifestyle, Practical Tips, Residence Halls, Student Guide, Student Life