I think one of the most exciting aspects of living away from home is the experience of having a roommate. At Krea, we follow a twin-sharing setup, meaning each student shares their living space with a roommate.
The Honeymoon Phase.
I was really excited and curious to meet my roommate, but as it turns out, she didn’t show up on move-in day which was disappointing but in a way gave me time to settle in on my own. She arrived a few days later, and when we finally met, there was an immediate sense of eagerness to get to know each other. We dove right into setting up the room and talking about our background & interests. At this point, both of you are new to everything and navigating this environment together, so it’s all still fresh and exciting.
Reality Check: Learning Each Other’s Habits
Before we moved in, we were asked to fill out a Google form to share our personal preferences and daily routines. The form covered all sorts of details that might make a difference in our living situation: things like if we stay up late or wake up early, if we needed complete darkness to sleep or could handle some light, if we liked to have friends over frequently or preferred a quieter, more private space, and so on. The goal was to match us with people who shared similar habits. I’m going to talk about some of the major conflicts my roommate and I faced during our first year, which could be quite common to others as well.
The Early bird & Night owl
In college, “sleep schedule” is a loose term and in the world of college roommates, there’s no combination more comically mismatched than the Early Bird and the Night Owl. These two could not be more different. One thrives in the morning, while the other comes alive later in the day. What makes this relationship even more comical is that neither roommate can fully grasp the other’s schedule. The early bird finds it baffling that anyone would choose to stay up so late when the morning holds so much promise. Conversely, the night owl can’t understand how someone can function at their best before 8 a.m.
I used to be a morning person, at least before college. My cousins would often tease me for being asleep by 10 or 11 PM, calling me the "early bird." While it sometimes made me feel out of sync with others, I valued the calm of the morning too much to let it bother me. The peace and stillness of those early hours gave me clarity and focus that I couldn't find later in the day. My roommate, of course, was the complete opposite, and it made for a pretty funny story. She actually filled out the roommate form thinking her bedtime was considered "early" by Gen Z standards which was actually 1 am.
Bathroom wet or dry?
Another issue, my roommate and I faced was the "wet vs. dry bathroom" problem. Our bathrooms don't have a glass door or any kind of shield, so inevitably water would get all over the place.
Since I woke up early, I usually took a bath in the morning, and she preferred to shower at night. For me, it wasn’t a big deal, but for her, it was a problem, especially when she woke up to brush her teeth and found the bathroom still wet. Eventually, we came up with a solution: we bought a bathroom wiper and agreed that after each bath, we’d wipe down the surface and push the water toward the drain. This helped the bathroom dry out faster and made the space more comfortable for both of us.
AC temperature.
I’ve always preferred a cooler room but my roommate gets cold easily, so we often disagreed on the AC temperature. Eventually, we came up with a compromise: we decided to run the AC for a while to cool the room down but gradually raise the temperature as it got colder. This way, the room wouldn’t be too chilly for her, and I wouldn’t feel overheated.
I soon realized there was another factor at play: our blankets. I had a much thicker and heavier blanket than she did, which explained why I could comfortably handle a colder room. For me, the combination of a cool room and a heavy blanket was perfect. But for her, with a lighter blanket, the same cool room felt very cold. So, I decided to buy a blanket similar to hers—one that wasn’t too thick or too insulating, but just right for a moderately cool room.
The key takeaway is that listening and empathy are essential—being willing to hear the other person’s needs and adjust accordingly can make all the difference in maintaining a peaceful and comfortable living space for everyone involved.
Lights on or off?
When it comes to the "lights on or off" debate, I’m definitely in the "off" camp. I find it so much easier to sleep in complete darkness—it helps me relax and clear my mind after a long day.
However, my roommate preferred to have light on—whether it was a nightlight/ lamp. At first, I wasn’t sure how we’d navigate this, as the glow from the light was uncomfortable to me. It took a few conversations, but we finally agreed on a compromise. We got a small, dim nightlight that didn’t disrupt my sleep but still satisfied her need for a bit of light. It wasn’t perfect, but we found a middle ground that worked for both of us, which leads me to my next point.
Finding balance - The art of compromise
Living with a roommate is a constant exercise in balance, and one of the most important skills you’ll learn is compromise. At first, it might seem like you have to change everything about the way you live to make the situation work. But the reality is, compromise isn’t about one person giving in completely; it’s about finding a middle ground where both of you can feel heard, respected, and comfortable.
At first, we constantly butted heads. I couldn’t stand the glow of her laptop screen late at night and her, my shuffling around in the morning. Eventually, the compromises come.
We established a rule that loud conversations or phone calls should be avoided after 11 p.m. or should be taken outside the room and all music and Netflix must be enjoyed through headphones. Alternatively, I also invested in a sleep mask to block out the glow of the laptop screen.
In the case of the wet vs. dry bathroom issue I mentioned earlier, the solution didn’t come from one person completely changing their habits. Instead, it was about understanding each other’s frustrations and finding a way to address them without resentment. Ultimately, compromise isn’t about getting what you want, but about being willing to give and take, and finding the balance that allows both of you to coexist happily. And it’s a skill that will serve you well beyond college.
Along with compromise you will also learn flexibility, patience and how to communicate effectively. You will learn the art of negotiating needs. And maybe, you’ll even start to appreciate the other person’s way of life. The early bird might begin to enjoy a late-night move time, while the night owl finds themselves setting an earlier alarm to catch the sunrise—if only to share a cup of coffee with their roommate.
And also, always headphones!
When living with roommates, headphones quickly become your unsung hero. In a shared space where everyone has their own preferences for noise levels & routines, headphones can be the difference between peaceful coexistence and a never-ending series of frustrations. But beyond just noise control, headphones also become a symbol of respect. They signal that you’re aware of your roommate’s need for his/her preferences and that you’re willing to adjust to room sharing in a way that accommodates both of your worlds.
Embracing Our Cultural Differences.
Earlier this year, I came across many juniors hoping they’re roommates are from the same city as them but let me tell you out of my personal experience, the beauty of living with a roommate is that you don’t have to come from the same geographical location to form a friendship!
In fact, being from different places can be one of the most enriching aspects of the experience.
My roommate and I come from different parts of the country—she is from Rajasthan, and I from Bangalore. The differences were more than just geographical; they extended into our languages, religious practices, and cultural backgrounds. But over time, it became a unique learning experience.
I found myself improving in Hindi, while she began to understand some Tamil phrases, and we both made an effort to learn each other’s languages in the process. It was a small but meaningful way to connect, and it often led to laughter as we tried to pronounce new words or explain local idioms.
Introducing each other to our culinary traditions were one of the most enjoyable aspects of our roommate experience. I introduced her to good Dosa’s and Appam’s, while she made me try her signature dal and Gatte ki Sabzi. Not only food, but also different festivals, She experienced festivals like Onam and Pongal for the first time. It reminded me that while we might come from different corners of India, our shared human experiences—family, food, and tradition—are powerful connectors. It made me realize that cultural diversity, when approached with openness and curiosity, can be one of the most enriching aspects of a roommate relationship.
Separate Friend Groups, Better Roommates.
This is a funny one. It’s important to understand that living with a roommate doesn't mean you have to morph into a single entity. Having separate friend groups allows you both to maintain your individuality. You get to nurture relationships outside of the room, allowing you to grow in your own way. This can be important for your mental health, as you can feel like yourself, without the need to constantly merge interests or activities.
When roommates have different friend groups, it helps to keep potential conflicts or drama separate. Friendships can sometimes bring in unwanted tension and having different circles helps keep that from spilling into your living situation.
Each person can deal with their friends’ issues or conflicts without it affecting their shared space. One of the most important aspects of living with someone else is the ability to carve out your own personal space. Having different friend groups allows for independent social time, where each of you can retreat into your own world when needed. You don’t have to be joined at the hip at all times, and having your own group provides the perfect excuse to step out, recharge, and give each other breathing room.
Oddly enough, having different friend groups can actually strengthen your bond as roommates. Instead of relying on each other for social activities, you both have a richer variety of social experiences to share. You’ll have different stories, gossips, interests, and energy to bring to the table at the end of the day, making your time together more enriching rather than monotonous. It also keeps the roommate relationship fresh and avoids the feeling of being too dependent on each other for company.
Final thoughts.
It’s normal to come in with a lot of expectations and hopes about how things will go. Maybe you’re imagining an instant connection with your roommate, that you’ll become fast friends, and that everything will feel effortless. But the reality is, it’s unlikely to be like that from day one. It’s normal for things to take time to settle in. You might not hit it off immediately, and there will be moments when you don’t always see eye to eye. Not every day is going to feel perfect, and there will be ups and downs along the way. It’s important to keep in mind that building a relationship with a roommate—or anyone, really—takes time, constant effort, patience, and understanding.
A successful roommate relationship isn’t just about one person adjusting to the other—it’s a two-way street. Just like the saying goes, “it takes two to make a clap.” If both of you are committed to making the living situation work, it’ll be easier to find common ground. Compromise means being willing to meet halfway, understanding that you won’t always get things exactly how you want them. Maybe you like things organized a certain way, but your roommate has a more laid-back approach. Instead of letting little differences create tension, it’s about finding solutions that work for both of you.
But just know that you’ll also discover new perspectives, pick up habits and ways of thinking that you hadn’t considered and find yourself laughing about the little things, supporting each other through tough times, and creating memories, traditions and routines that go beyond just sharing a room. You learn to become a team.
For me, the bond I’ve built with my roommate is something truly special. We’ve supported each other through ups and downs, and it’s a friendship that I know will extend well beyond college. I love her, and I can’t imagine having go through this experience with anyone else. The lessons, the laughs, and the shared moments are all part of what makes this time together so unforgettable. No matter where we go, I know this bond will last, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Written By : Agnes Dominic
Hello! I'm Agnes, and I'm delighted to have you here! Writing is my sanctuary where I can explore the depths of my own being with unabashed honesty and vulnerability. Like Anne Frank once expressed, "I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn". And if anything, I hope you enjoy reading and discover something that resonates with you.
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