Housemates

The people you live with have a great influence on your state of mind, and on how well you do at your studies.

Living with others will challenge you, make you more tolerant, enable you to learn more about yourself, about how to relate to others, and how to communicate more effectively.

Knowing how to empathise with others and how to assert yourself are valuable skills in all areas of life, and your home life should be no exception. Before you decide to share accommodation, it's a good idea to check your habits and preferences; smoking or not, tidy or casual, stay up late or get up early, tastes in music, food, etc. It's also sensible to check out how bills are paid, who cooks, whether you're expected to be at home more often than you prefer, or to socialise with the others, and, most of all, how differences are expressed, resolved or compromises reached.

If something comes up, express it directly and immediately, rather than storing up resentments and then exploding. Don't discuss problems with others before discussing them with your housemate. There are at least two sides to every story, so hear the other person out. Rather than jump to conclusions, try to see it from their perspective.

If you can't work out the situation with your housemate - and you've actually tried, instead of assuming it can't be done - ask for assistance from someone not directly affected by the situation, or speak with a Counsellor at the Counselling Service.