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Move-In Monday: Reaching-Out and Getting to Know Your Roommate

Elmira, NY (08/03/2020) — August is here and that means preparing for the Fall Term and making sure that you are ready for living on campus. The Office of Residence Life sent housing and roommate assignments earlier this summer, and while some rooms are being converted to singles, due to the coronavirus, many students may still have roommates/suitemates. To help with the "getting-to-know-you" process, our Move-In Monday series continues with advice and practical ways to reach out and get to know each other.

Always remember that communication is key. While you and your roommate/suitemates don't have to be best buddies, it is important to communicate and try to take an interest in each other's lives. Participate in virtual events together, attend games or campus events as allowed, or try to have meals together on a regular basis. These are just small steps to build an understanding of one another. And who knows, you may even become friends after all.

Below we have listed some great starting tips for you to move forward with this process:

  • Contact your roommate/suitemates via email or social media. If using social media, try your best not to judge them too quickly based on their photos or posts. People are not always what they post themselves to be.
  • Start with basic information on yourself and questions to them such as: Where are you from? What do you like to do? What's your favorite color? If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
  • Once you have some common ground, share what you plan to pack and bring to the room. Maybe one roommate brings the sound system and the other brings the TV.
  • After you feel more comfortable, work on setting some ground rules or parameters for the room. Topics could include: agreement on coronavirus protocols, sleep and class schedules, or sharing responsibility for keeping the room stocked with snacks.

Have any questions? Be sure to contact the Office of Residence Life team.

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