By Carina Cole ’22 News Reporter
One of the most important requirements for happiness at boarding school is a good relationship with your roommate, which can affect how you enjoy your leisure time, your social life, and even your classes. Of course, in return, you want to be a good roommate. Every roommate situation provides a different take on what being a “good” roommate might be, but there are always certain traits that make a roommate the ideal match for you.
For Grace Carter ’23 and Olivia Short ’23, communication is the key to roommate relations. They recommend “being willing to help, share, listen and be open, as well as not being judgemental.” Finding similar hobbies and interests to relate and open conversation with your roommate can be helpful. For example, discovering that you like the same music, sports, or clothing can create the foundation for a deep connection. Short and Carter suggest “using systems to balance time in the room so we share the space” along with being mindful of each other’s schedules.
Honesty with and support for your roommate can contribute to a trusting friendship. Roommates since freshman year, Ross Carpentier ’22 and Charlton Schaner ’22 agree that opening up to each other and talking about their different problems strengthened their bond. Carpentier said, “If we weren’t roommates, we might not have even been friends, but because we connected with each other and made an effort to be friends, the rooming situation worked out so well we decided to room again this year.” Their advice to other roommates would be to avoid conflict, keep a level head, don’t argue about little things, and always be supportive of each other. Shaner added, “You don’t have to be best friends to room, just have fun and be nice.”
Peter Berle ’20 and Davis Anderson ’20 say that they have built their relationship bonding over shared interests, such as watching movies or listening to music. After rooming for three years, this roommate pair agrees that they feel like family members. Berle said, “Even if Davis and I are angry at each other, I always know I can still count on Davis for anything.” Anderson and Berle agree that it is good to find someone who balances you out, and who’s up for any crazy adventures along the way. Anderson advises, “Give each other space, but also always be there when the other person needs it.”
Four-year roommates of legend, Zoe Gooch ’20 and Julee Rodgers ’20 (also known as JZ) agree that to be a good roommate, you must go with the flow and be open-minded. Through four years, they have developed a sister-like bond. Zoe said, “We both are crazy but in different ways that balance each other out. We go to each other for advice, dance (they post videos on their account jz_blivin!), blast music, and help each other with school work.” Rodgers noted, “As long as you compromise, you will be fine. Zoe and I have never gotten in a fight.” Gooch added, “Keeping the energy alive, bonding outside the dorm, creating a playlist to get ready in the morning, and doing on school responsibilities such as being Burgin Proctors together can help with being a good roommate.”
When it comes down to it, there really is no ideal roommate because every roommate pair is unique and has different quirks that make the pairing work. Just remember to always be honest, communicate, balance your time, and be as supportive as possible, and the rest will come easily. To be a good roommate is to compromise and just have fun!