It’s easier to have more friends over, you can cook your own meals and there’s no gross communal bathroom. Just you and a friend in a college apartment, what could go wrong?
If boundaries and expectations aren’t set quickly, then things can go south fast. Here are a few helpful tips to a great living experience with your friend in Athens.
Be Respectful of Noise
No one wants to wake up at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday to the sound of Wolf of Wall Street blaring on the TV, and similarly, only a few oddballs want to live in complete silence. You and your roommate need to find a balance.
A two-bedroom apartment, is usually a small space. If you’re being loud, your roommate can probably hear you. Talk to your housemate and ask what an acceptable volume is depending on the day or the time. Some people go to bed late, others go to bed early. It’s not rocket science, just have a conversation.
Communication – Codify it
On the topic of having conversations, communication with your roommate is key.
Ask what their living preferences are. Since it’s just the two of you in an apartment, it shouldn’t be challenging for either person to accommodate the other.
In Athens, there are a wide variety of lifestyles. Some people prefer to cook in their apartment while others like to eat out. Likewise, some people game for hours a day while others enjoy listening to music on a nice sound system. Knowing things like this can help to figure out who should bring certain items or when the kitchen/living room will be free to use. In a small apartment with limited space, it’s easier to stay organized when only one person brings certain supplies.
Cleaning Habits Make or Break Friendships
If you’re sharing an apartment with another person, one person should not be doing all the cleaning.
Also, while Athens is a fun place to party and have fun, that doesn’t mean that you should wake up to a trashed apartment every Sunday.
In order to maintain a clean apartment with your roommate, set up a cleaning schedule. A two-bedroom pad doesn’t have that many rooms, so it shouldn’t take long to tidy up the apartment once or twice a week. It’s as simple as setting a day and time and just getting it done.
Lastly, make sure you have good cleaning supplies. Many apartments in Athens and Columbus have shared storage closets where you can keep your stuff.
For the bathroom, grab some bleach for the shower, and a foaming spray for the sink and toilet. In the kitchen, make sure you have drain cleaner for your garbage disposal and a cleaning solution for the countertops. Then for the other spaces, make sure you have a nice vacuum and mop to keep the floors sparkling.
Apartment living in Athens and Columbus shouldn’t be a struggle. Spending unnecessary time arguing and being frustrated with your roommates will only take time away from the enjoyable academic and social experience that OSU and Ohio University have to offer. Setting a few ground rules and communicating often will save you loads of time and pain later in the semester.
