A common college experience that often goes unmentioned is the song and dance of sharing a bathroom with those living with you.
Most college apartments and houses won’t have a bathroom for each tenant, so it’s vital that you and your roommates work out strategies for sharing the limited space. You don’t want to go to class smelling terrible because your roommate was in the shower after you got back from the gym!
With open communication a few easy strategies, the difficulties of sharing a bathroom will be an afterthought.
Communication is key
The first, and easiest step towards better sharing your bathroom is communication.
Ask your roommates about their schedules. When do they usually shower? When are their classes? You don’t have to be too nosey about it, but just get some general ideas about your roommates’ routines in mind. For example, if one of your roommates likes to shower before their 9 a.m. class, then it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of the bathroom around then.
Likewise, it’s a good practice to let your roommates know when you’re about to use the bathroom for a while, whether it’s to shower, shave, etc. A simple: “hey, does anyone need to use the bathroom before I shower?” can go a long way. You don’t have to go out of your way every time you use the restroom, just do whatever is most courteous and most convenient for everyone.
Don’t hole-up in the bathroom
Not everything needs to happen in the bathroom. Spending an hour or longer going through an exhaustive routine will oftentimes just lead to frustrated roommates who only need the restroom for a few minutes.
Try and figure out if there are things that you do in the bathroom that can also be done in your bedroom, or even your living room. Putting on makeup and brushing your hair are two good examples, to start.
Also, don’t run your water bill up. Quick, cold showers are better for the environment and can save you money!
Use the fan
The last thing anyone wants is to walk into a hot, damp bathroom after someone takes a shower.
Practice good bathroom etiquette and make a habit of turning on the fan every time you’re using the restroom. It’ll keep the bathroom smelling decent and prevent that dank feeling after you’ve showered. Fans are also great at cutting down on mold and mildew buildup.
While it’s a smart idea to use the fan, it’s also smart to use it responsibly. Don’t keep it on for hours after use, as this will cause significant wear and tear on the device.
All in all, just use the fan when you’re using the bathroom. That way, you and your roommates don’t have to deal with each other’s smells or condensation.
Take stock of public restrooms
Yeah, they’re gross and uncomfortable. But if you’re in a pinch and your roommate is in the bathroom, you may have to resort to going to an establishment down the street.
Of course, hopefully you’ll never have to resort to this option, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.