Part of college life is sharing a dorm room with a handful of other students. Dorms are notorious for being small and cramped, and, you probably have to share a bathroom with five to six other students.
Sharing a bathroom with that many people can be a recipe for a disaster (especially if you're in an apartment full of girls). Everyone needs some time to shower, do their hair and make up before they head out the door to class or work. But how do you survive that when you share a bathroom with so many others?
Talk Schedules
Talk to your roommates and try to figure out some kind of loose schedule. It probably won't be practical to create a detailed schedule, but you can at least make an outline of who needs to be in the shower early in the morning, and who can shower at night.
For example, if one of your roommates has early classes, let her be first in the shower. Or, if you have to work late, maybe you can take your turn at night. Expect frequently alterations to the schedule, but this is a good place to start.
Step Aside
Are there parts of your morning routine that you do in the bathroom out of habit? For example, maybe you don't really need to straighten your hair in the bathroom, but could do it in front of a mirror in your bedroom. During the morning rush for the bathroom, get in and out as fast as you can. Think of ways you can take your routine outside the bathroom so that you aren't taking time away from someone else. This is a considerate move that will help everyone out.
Be Patient
Above all, be patient. Sharing a bathroom, let alone an entire dorm, is trying. You may feel like you don't have much privacy or space, but remember, that's how all your roommates feel too. When problems arise and when things don't go exactly as you would like them to, remember to be patient.
Every college student experience living with roommates. These are fun times that you'll always remember, but there will most likely be some bumps in the road as well. If you take these tips into consideration as you fight to survive the scramble for the bathroom, you'll find living with others to be not quite as bad as it could be.
About the Author
Jill Hardy writes for UniversitiesOnline.net, a website that is dedicated to helping students find the degree that's right for them, whether that be a medical degree or an accounting degree.
