The Roommate Fairy Tale

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The Roommate Fairy Tale

• Tips for making the journey of living with your
  roommate a fairy tale.
• Created by Ashlee Norris
• Western Washington University

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Once upon a time, a excited student came to a
kingdom otherwise WWU.They met their new
roommate and everything was great until
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their roommate
Came home intoxicated
Stopped taking showers
Stayed up late talking on the phone
Listens to their stereo very loudly
Borrows CDs, clothes, toiletries and money
without asking and does not return them
Lets partner sleepover without asking
Yells and gets angry very easily
Snores loudly
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The excited student became frustrated and did not
know what do, so they turned to the their fairy
Godmother to see how to inform their roommate
about how they were feeling.
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Fairy Godmother Rule 1 Be true to
Yourself and Your Roommate

• When you first meet your roommate, be yourself,
  so that they get to know the real you from the
  beginning of the relationship.
• Try to get to know your roommate, dont brush
  them off based on their appearance, you will
  never get to know what they are all about if you
  dont try.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 2 Speak up. Get to know
your roommate.

• Even if you're not great friends, you'll be
  able to get along better if you understand each
  other. Discuss what you expect from each other.
  Don't be afraid to tell your roommate if his/her
  actions bother you. Let each other know when
  important events (tests, papers, games, etc.) are
  coming up.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 3 Silence is NOT Golden

• You shouldn't be afraid to discuss things with
  your roommate, but you'll probably be better off
  if you don't tell your roommate about all of her
  little annoying habits.

• Think long term. You're going to have to live
  with your roommate for an entire school year, so
  don't nit-pick or judge her on how she acts the
  first week of school
• It takes people a while to adjust to college life
  and living with a stranger, so give your roommate
  the benefit of the doubt before criticizing
  his/her actions.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 4 Plan ahead

• Decide how you're going to handle financial
  obligations (e.g. phone bill, groceries) ahead of
  time so there won't be any misunderstandings when
  it's time to pay.

• You should also discuss whether borrowing or
  using each other's property (e.g. stereo,
  clothes, toiletries, etc.) is cool. Establishing
  boundaries is fine as long as both roommates are
  aware of them.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 5 Establish company
policy

• Decide whether it's acceptable to bring a
  boyfriend/girlfriend back to the room. Figure out
  how the roommate entertaining a guest will let
  the other roommate know when he/she has company.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 6 Do unto others...

• Whether you like your roommate or not, treat
  him with the consideration that you'd like to be
  treated with. Set an example and with any luck
  your roommate will catch on.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 7 Give a little.

• If you're naturally a slob, you should learn to
  be neat to the extent that you don't encroach on
  your roommate's space.
• If you're a neat freak, remember that your
  roommate may not be as offended by mess as you
  are.

• You don't have to subvert your personality to
  get along with another person, but be prepared to
  compromise.

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Fairy Godmother Rule 8 Don't Stress

• Most roommates naturally figure out how to
  get along even if they don't become best friends.
  In the unlikely event that you find yourself in a
  living situation that's unbearable, you should
  meet with your RA to discuss a new way to
  approach your roommate or other options.

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The End

• The excited student listed to The Fairy Godmother
  and realized that by just talking with their
  roommate compromises were established, and they
  lived happily every after

• The moral of this story is you and your roommate
  may or may not have a fairy tale relationship,
  but you can find happiness in your living
  situation.

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