College has new experiences students look forward to, including the excitement of living on one’s own and meeting roommates.
Brendan Lesser, senior customer specialist at Villa Del Lago Apartments on Pensacola Street, said it is important to maintain a good relationship with roommates. Lesser said it is important to be accepting when it comes to being placed in a new environment with new people.
“New roommates, prior to moving in, should keep an open mind and be accepting to all cultural differences,” Lesser said. “The person may not be exactly like you, but that’s the point of meeting new people.”
Communication is a factor in a roommate relationship, said Jaia Armstrong, a second- year bio-medical and chemical engineering student from Guam. Armstrong said knowing each other helps the bonding process.
“You definitely have to talk to them,” Armstrong said. “Honestly, see what they like. You need to know who you will be living in a house with.”
Coming to an understanding with roommates lessens the chances of altercations, according to Bryce Hall, a second-year criminal justice student from Fort Pierce, Fla.
“You have to come to an agreement of what needs to be done at different times during the day,” Hall said. “Things like staying up late or making sure there isn’t any loud noise being made at night while people are trying to study.”
Oscar Crumity, director of Florida A&M’s university housing, said the first thing to do when meeting a new roommate is establish a line of communication.
“Some disputes normally relates to students’ failure to communicate with each other,” Crumity said. “Respect for other’s property also is an issue when roommates’ relationship falls apart. One student may use the other’s personal clothing or property without receiving permission to do so.”