Roommates 101: How to Survive and Thrive in Campus Housing

Living on campus means more than just sharing a room—it’s about learning communication, setting boundaries, and building a sense of community. In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Caitlin Walters sits down with Becky Peterson, Director of Housing and Residential Life, and Nathaniel Condelli, Assistant Director for Residential Life, to talk about the ups and downs of living with roommates. Together, they explore strategies for breaking the ice, handling conflict, setting boundaries, and making the most of campus housing. Listeners will also learn how community assistants and hall directors support students, and why investing in these relationships can make campus life more meaningful—and even more fun.



 



Learning Objectives:



1. Identify effective strategies for building positive relationships with roommates.



2. Apply practical approaches to navigating roommate conflicts and differences in schedules, habits, or preferences.



3. Recognize the importance of clear communication and boundary-setting in shared living spaces.



 



Processing Questions:



1. What strategies mentioned in the episode could help you break the ice and get to know your roommate better?



2. When have you found it difficult to set boundaries, and how might the roommate agreement tool help?



3. How can the skills you practice in roommate relationships - like compromise, communication, and respect - translate into other areas of your life (friendships, work, family)?



4. What small step could you take this week to connect more with your roommate or residence hall community?