One of the most important things that you can learn as a college student is how to handle roommate conflict. Unfortunately, this incredibly useful skill is never really taught to students in school despite its value. To help students establish a positive living environment Nerdify Reviews 3 tips on resolving arguments with roommates.

For most students, it will be their first time living with someone who is not a family member. There is also a fear of confrontation, as well as a lack of experience in dealing with negotiation and compromise.

In this article, we will answer several important questions like, “How do I keep from getting angry during an argument?” and “What are red flags for roommates?” Resolving conflicts with your roommate isn’t as difficult as you might think. But it will require you to take action if you want to bring about the best possible outcome.

1. Do active listening

The first rule in how to resolve conflict with dorm roommates is to make sure to LISTEN when your roommate tells their side of the argument. Don’t simply think about what you’re going to say next while they are talking. Or ignore them completely while thinking of your next great Reddit post. That’s one of the worst things you can do. If the roommate feels like they are not listened to, they are very likely to continue the behavior that you don’t like.

Also, talk to your roommate in private. Go to a place where it’s only the two of you so that nobody feels embarrassed and there aren’t many distractions. Nothing can make college roommate conflicts worse than airing out your roommate’s dirty laundry where other people can hear.

Not being able to listen is one of the very big signs of a bad college roommate. Set aside ample time for both of you to say everything you need to say. Dominating the conversation will only make your roommate feel like they were not listened to.

2. Stay calm and don’t talk while you’re angry

If you want to make sure that you are calm when you talk to your roommate, say things immediately when they start to bother you, or better yet, even before. If you want to know how to resolve roommate issues, take notice of when you’re starting to get angry. Make sure you do something to help you relax and put yourself in a calm mood before engaging.

Unfortunately, this is not what most students do. For example, maybe you have a roommate who doesn’t know how to keep their area clean. How do you deal with a messy roommate in college? What many students do is they HOPE that the problem will stop even if they don’t bring it to the roommate’s attention.

What usually happens instead is that the student makes no mention of what is bothering them. That bothersome feeling grows and grows until it explodes from the student as yelling, or some other over-the-top action. What’s worse is that the roommate is usually completely surprised by this, because you never brought it to their attention before.

Not wanting to rock the waves is understandable, but you have to remember two things. First, the roommate will most likely continue the behavior you don’t like until you bring it to their attention. Second, the behavior WILL continue to bother you until it is addressed.

3. Work out solutions together

Conflicts are usually resolved when both parties feel like they were heard AND they feel like things were resolved equally. Usually when compromising, both you and your roommate might have to give up something. That way, both of you can feel like things were resolved equally.

A great way to let your roommate feel like they are helping to solve the issue is to ask them open-ended questions about what they would like to do. You could ask, “What do you think the answer to the problem is?” or “What can we both do to make this situation better?”

Don’t just tell your roommate what you want them to do. That will make them feel like they are not involved in the problem-solving process.

The final solution in how to deal with a problematic roommate might not be your ideal scenario, but please remember that all people are different. Backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, interests, and behaviors will all vary from person to person.

Here’s a final protip: know when to get help. There might be some times when both of you cannot come to a resolution where both of you are happy. At that time you should get an RA involved. The Resident Advisor is there to solve problems like this. They can act as a great mediator and look at things objectively. This should be used as a last resort though, so be sure to attempt to talk to your roommate one-on-one first.

In Conclusion

Navigating roommate conflicts is an essential skill for college students, and taking proactive steps can lead to a positive living environment. Nerdify Reviews experts say that effective communication is key when handling roommate conflicts. Start by actively listening to your roommate’s concerns in private, fostering an open dialogue. Stay calm during discussions to prevent issues from escalating, addressing concerns promptly rather than letting them build up. Collaboratively work on solutions, encouraging your roommate’s input to ensure a fair resolution.

Finding common ground may require compromise, flexibility and understanding but remember that by following these tips you can contribute to a positive living environment for both you and your roommate.

If you would like more tips on how to succeed in college and university, follow Nerdify Reviews for a comprehensive game plan on how to achieve great results in your studies.

Reading a boring blog is like watching a 10-minute intro to a 12-minute YouTube video – annoying and just not worth it. Fortunately, nowadays blogs for students are numerous, including your favorite Nerdify blog, and you have what to choose from. To save your valuable time we’ve selected 10 best blogs for you to follow as a student in 2018.

Things you need to know about blogs for students:

1. Articles are often written by the same students like you or college graduates, so they are relatable and realistic

2. Many of them contain practical advice on how to save money and learn budgeting, which is a great and useful skill any college student needs to have to make the money topic less painful

3. All blogs reviewed in this article are alive and well, and new articles are published regularly

4. Many articles in these blogs focus on issues that you didn’t even think about researching but will benefit from learning about them anyway

Without further ado, let’s get right into it!

Student Life Network

Wondering about style on a budget? Dorm essentials? How to stop procrastinating? How to save money as a student? This student blog based in Toronto has it all. Every article in this blog is to the point, clear, and very informative. Authors keep it simple and relatable, while every article is illustrated with hilarious (okay, sometimes just funny) GIFs for your entertainment. Reading this blog is like listening to a friend who genuinely wants to help and knows how to do it. If you’re a student, checking this blog out is essential in 2018.

Go Abroad

This blog is all about studying abroad (duh). Here you’ll find useful and practical advice about studying abroad, cheap study abroad programs in different cities and countries, guidelines on how to study abroad for free, and maximizing career benefits while studying abroad. This blog will answer all concerns you might have about studying abroad and bust some myths about it. Want to study abroad in China, New Zealand, or Bali? This is a blog for you to follow as a student in 2018!

Student Hacks

Oh, where would we be without life hacks! This blog isn’t about how to make 99 useful utensils using an empty Coke bottle. Let’s be honest: nobody really needs that kind of advice, even if it seems fun. This blog is about giving real and actually applicable tips on how to improve your life as a student. During college years, anyone can struggle with writer’s block or developing a good thesis statement, and articles in this blog will answer all of your burning questions. Students deserve useful life hacks and this blog really delivers them without messing around!

College Cures

This blog has a wider range of topics than the previous one. Topics include work, life in college, life in general, health, college finance, and school. Here you’ll find articles about student loans, house parties, tips for becoming a better driver, tips on how to overcome anxiety, and even an article on what it’s like to be a male escort. Another great thing about College Cures is that new articles are published very frequently. This blog answers the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, so go ahead and get your answers!

College Info Geek

Smart is the new sexy. Being a geek today doesn’t mean being a lonely loser like two decades ago, but being an expert in the certain field (or several fields) and one step ahead of the crowd. Top 75 educational channels on YouTube? We are already intrigued. 42 best educational podcasts in 2018? Hell yeah. If you like taking your studying one step further and your brain just craves more, this blog is a godsend. Thank us later.

Studenomics

Money is often sort of intimidating to talk about. This blog will turn the topic of finance and money management into a casual one for you. Forewarned is – always – forearmed. Articles here will help you choose between Uber and Lyft, get to the bottom of student loans, and learn about effective substitutes for budgeting if you hate it. This blog will help you make your finance management fun and easy as well as get rid of the anxiety and stress caused by them. So don’t hesitate to check it out!

Society19 College Life

If you’re looking for a fun and useful read to distract yourself from stressful studying, this blog might be just perfect. It has an elegant and simple design and new articles are published almost daily. Wondering how to avoid the Freshman 15? Or, maybe, you’re concerned about not getting sick as college students? Need dorm design tips that won’t break the bank? Society19 College Life has got you covered! This blog has got everything you need and more!

Save the Student!

Yes, the title might be dramatic, but let’s face it: college student life is full of difficult situations. This blog will teach you how to make money from blogging and choose best bank accounts for students in 2018. Student finance, budgeting, and student money news are all regularly covered in this blog. You’ll find all kinds of advice here, so it’s worth bookmarking this blog.

Bonus blog for students: College Tourist

Let’s be real here: traveling, especially abroad, is often too expensive to afford for a college student. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t plan it and dream about it! In fact, having a dream or plan will inspire you to save up, learn to budget, and perform better in college knowing that an awesome reward is waiting for you someday in the future. This blog contains articles about traveling as a college student, studying abroad, and ways to save up. If traveling is a passion of yours, make sure to check this blog out!

This list of blogs you need to follow as a college student in 2018 is really diverse, so you’ll certainly be able to choose something for you. If you check out any of these blogs, you’ll find that there are many ways to make a life of a college student much easier!

Authors of these blogs share awesome advice that will make you wonder why you haven’t read them earlier. If you can do it the easy way, just do it! It’s like texting Nerdify to get some help with your studies.

Spring break is an excellent opportunity for students to get away from their hectic college or university obligations. But because most students have limited budgets, they may think they have few choices in terms of locations and activities. 

But the truth is that you can enjoy spring break trips 2024 without breaking the bank. Nerdify reviews some of the best ideas to ensure a budget-friendly yet fun and memorable spring break.

1. Book Early

Some 1.5 million people travel during spring break, according to a report from HotelBeds.com, a Spanish travel technology company. Decide where you want to go several months in advance so you can book your flights and accommodations early. 

Traveling should be a no-brainer during spring break. It is sure to be a fun adventure, especially with friends. 

Understandably, the cost of doing so may be intimidating. Here are some spring break destinations for college students that are affordable:

United States

There is no need to leave the country to enjoy spring break, as there are so many inexpensive and even hidden gems just a drive or short flight away:

• San Diego, California
• Key West in Miami, Florida
• New Orleans
• Outer Banks in North Carolina
• South Padre Island in Texas

Mexico

Its proximity to the United States has made Mexico a popular spring break destination. It is affordable and has some of the best beaches in the world. But the best part is the authentic Mexican food. Here are the best and most affordable destinations in Mexico:

• Cancun
• Guadalajara
• Los Cabos
• Mexico City
• Puerto Vallarta

Jamaica

Jamaica is the heart of the Caribbean. It has the most amazing beaches with the bluest waters, all-inclusive resorts, and great music—it is the birthplace of reggae, after all. 

Plan your trip to any of these spring break destinations for college students way ahead of time. Flights booked earlier are cheaper, and you can take advantage of promos for cheaper hotel or Airbnb stays. 

The Nerdify Reviews team considers these places, along with the Bahamas, Canada, Dominican Republic, Norway, and Puerto Rico, to be the best budget-friendly areas for spring break. Except for Norway, these countries are quite close to the U.S. And there are many cheap flights going to and from Norway, the Land of the Midnight Sun. 

2. Start Saving Ahead of Time

With your flights and accommodations booked, you can start saving pocket money for your trip. You can take on part- or full-time gigs for these funds. 

3. Apply for Credit Cards That Are Ideal for Travel

If you’re going abroad, be aware that some credit cards rack up high fees for currency conversion. Look up your bank’s fees for foreign transactions. If they are quite high, you can try applying for a new credit card. 

Find one that rewards travel-related spending. You may even get free trips by using your card regularly. 

4. Consider Camping

Spring break trips 2024 don’t always mean hopping on a plane. You could pool money with your friends and rent a recreational van, gas it up, and go across the state or country to go camping. It is very affordable, as you can just sleep in tents and cook your own food. You will also see and appreciate the beauty of the country. 

5. Get Cooking

One of the joys of traveling is trying out new food from other locations and cultures. But if your budget is tight this spring break, you can simply learn how to cook food from different countries and do a deep dive into their culture. It’s still a delicious way to enjoy spring break!

If you can’t swing a trip to Mexico, you and your friends can learn how to make different types of tacos. Nerdify reviews the following as among the best-tasting tacos:

• Al pastor
• Barbacoa
• Birria
• Carne asada
• Shrimp

6. Explore Mountains

There is no need to travel far to have a memorable spring break. Explore nature around you. The mountains are a great place to hike and enjoy the fresh air. You may even encounter wild animals!

7. Organize a Community Project

Spring break is also a perfect opportunity to give back to your community. It is a good alternative for those who are not into traveling or partying and would prefer to feed their souls rather than their social appetites.

Look up local charities, soup kitchens, or organizations like Habitat for Humanity and United Way. They likely run community projects year-long, and you can spend several days helping make the world a better place.

In Conclusion

Spring break is every American student’s favorite academic period. It is synonymous with fun parties, enchanting beaches, picturesque destinations, and loads of drinks. You can have the time of your life without breaking the bank with our list of budget-friendly activities.