5 Tips for Living Communally
October 15, 2024 by Paige Stanley
Residence hall living is an amazing way to meet friends and learn how to live well with others. Living with so many students is exciting, but we understand that dorm life takes time to get used to. Check out the list of tips below to help you settle into communal living.
1. Get to know your neighbors
The best part of communal living is in the name – community! Communal living is more fun when you know your neighbors. Make an effort to chat with people in the halls and lounges to increase the number of familiar faces you see every day. Not only will you see them in your residence hall, but they could be your new study or adventure buddies!
2. Keep common spaces tidy
A clean space is a happy space! Make sure to clean up after yourself in both your own room and communal spaces. This will help ensure you do not lose belongings and will keep your hallmates happy! A helpful tip is to not put off your chores: do them right away so they don’t pile up and cause stress later.
In addition, make sure to take care of the furniture in common areas, don’t hog laundry machines, and don't overflow trash chutes. Being respectful of common spaces makes them more enjoyable for everyone.
3. Respect other’s belongings
Maybe you ran out of bandages, printer paper or olive oil — your roommates and hallmates are a great resource! But...make sure to ask first. Sharing is caring in communal living!
4. Be mindful of noise
Everyone has a different class schedule, which means the day you have no homework may be the day someone else has a midterm. Be mindful of noise in both communal spaces and your own room to respect your peers’ study and sleep habits. Most residence halls follow quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays.
5. Keep yourself and others safe
Our residence halls house hundreds of students, and it is impossible to know everyone who lives in your building. To help keep you and your hallmates safe, make sure the door closes behind you when you enter your building and do not let strangers in.
We hope this list is helpful! Remember that your RA is your go-to resource for communal living – contact them for more tips and tricks. Check out our article with tips for living with roommates next!
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