This piece is sponsored by Casita.
Having obnoxious flatmates is a widespread problem for university and college students residing in shared housing. It’s hard to know sometimes the distinction between being a considerate roommate versus one who drives everyone crazy. Australian universities are particularly favored by foreign students—with almost 90 various nationalities enrolled there. As a freshman, you’ll be with students from all sorts of backgrounds, and initially, the cultural differences may seem a bit perplexing. But don’t panic—with the right attitude, things will fall into place.
1. Respect Goes a Long Way
When you’re living far from home with other students, respecting each other’s space and belongings is super important. Simple things matter—like not making too much noise late at night when your roommate is sleeping or keeping party volumes down when they’re trying to study. Everyone needs their personal space, so be mindful of that. If any problems come up, the best way to handle them is by talking things out calmly.
One general rule? Never touch your roommate’s property without permission. Some student living spaces have six or seven students sharing a kitchen and common space, so it can become easily messy or a miscommunication can occur. Regardless of your culture, taking something that doesn’t belong to you is not acceptable. Instead, if you’re grabbing something to eat, why not pick up an extra snack for your roommate? Small acts of kindness like this can make living together much nicer.
2. Dealing with Noise (Because Not Everyone Likes Loud Music at 2 AM)
Some roommates are just noisier than others—perhaps because they’re constantly on the phone, enjoy blasting music, or have people over frequently. The solution? Discuss it upfront. Establish some ground rules, such as keeping calls in your own bedroom, turning down music after a certain hour, or having parties only when everyone’s okay with it. The thing to remember is that everyone deserves quiet time—whether it’s for studying, sleeping, or just unwinding.
3. Sharing the Chores (Because No One Wants a Cluttered Kitchen)
Living with other people means sharing duties. The best way to prevent arguments about doing chores? Create a schedule. Divide duties such as taking out trash, bathroom cleaning, or fridge organization weekly so no one is left alone with all the chores. But remember—break times and enjoyment are equally essential! Take a day out with your roommates to discover the city. Melbourne’s got the beach, always a plus. Sydney? Visit the Opera House or have coffee with the harbor view. These small excursions can make roommates actual friends.
4. Communication Is Everything (Even If It’s Just a Note on the Fridge)
What if your roommate keeps up late studying and you get up early for class? Or what if you’re expecting guests but don’t give them a heads-up? That’s where quick texts or little notes can assist. A quick message such as, “Hey, my friend’s staying over tonight—hope that’s okay!” can avoid misunderstandings. Little gestures like this make it seamless and prevent embarrassment.
Make the Most of Your Uni Days!
University life will be some of the best years of your life. To fully appreciate it, remain calm, be willing to be friends with people of different cultures, and soak up all the new experiences. Being patient and kind goes a long way in having a good time as a student and not stressing yourself out!
