One of the many challenging aspects of college life is the experience of learning to live peacefully with a roommate. There are many ways to deal with this challenge while living within the Weber State housing system. Probably the most important gesture that can be made by a roommate to maintain a peaceful living situation is to speak openly and honestly about any potential problems. Although roommates might be reluctant to step on the toes of each other at first, not being able to fully and honestly articulate your needs will lead to resentment festering under the surface. There is no way that festering resentment can ever give rise to a peaceful living situation.
On the other hand it is also important for roommates to maintain a certain degree of flexibility. Nobody can ever get what they want all the time and people occupying the same living space especially need to be able to compromise willingly from time to time. I say compromise willingly because when one compromises begrudgingly this will also create an energy of festering resentment. In order to compromise willingly the compromise must be made with an energy that is secure in the knowledge that over time the compromises will even out to both party’s benefit.
Finally, it must be acknowledged that some roommate situations will never be ideal. In some cases roommate that cannot get along must come up with rules that will define each roommates obligations relative to each other. Some roommates living within the Weber State housing system might choose to spend as little time possible with each other. Some might choose to separate entirely. For example, one might stay in the dorm and let the other leave to find an apartment. In some situations the only solution is to grin and bear it. In most cases, however, roommates tend to find a solution that is mutually beneficial.
