Living with your student friends at university is mostly pretty cool. Late night feasts, mammoth Netflix viewings, home exercise sessions and impromptu cocktail parties in your student flat. Even during the lockdown, there is still plenty of fun to be had.

But, regardless of how many fun times there are, you’re not always going to see eye-to-eye.

The fact is, you’re living with other people and people tend to disagree from time to time. You may be the best of friends who care about each other very much, but rarely is there an argument free student house. Believe us!

Whether it’s an argument about whose turn it is to take to bins out, or who ate the last of the Crunchy Nut Cornflakes and left the empty box in the cupboard, things are sure to crop up from semester to semester.

This is why it’s important to set a game plan to ensure you try to avoid certain arguments but are also prepped to iron out any complications should they arise. These tips should help…

 

Set some ground rules early on

Rules are not fun – we get that. But getting together to draw up some house rules could save a lot of tears and hassle in the future. Whether you have just moved into a new place, or have been living together for a while, it’s never too late to set a few ground rules.

If one housemate is known for being a night owl, you can ensure you conveniently add “keeping it down after 11pm” to the list for all housemates, which means you don’t have to directly point the finger at that one person. Similarly, if one of you always seems to have the munchies, why not split the fridge into sections and make a rule that you can’t touch anyone else’s shelf unless you ask permission first.

 

Split the chores

If household chores and cleaning are causing a divide, then suggest making a housework rota for the house. Sure, it’s a bit boring, but it’s a great way of avoiding someone feeling resentful because they always end up clearing up or taking out the bins.

A rota also creates an equal balance of chores amongst your housemates, so that the rooms stay tidy, but you don’t always have to do the same jobs yourself. Pin the list up on your notice board or on the fridge, so it’s really clear who’s turn it us. That way there’s no way anyone can pretend to ‘forget’ it’s their turn.

 

Don’t let things fester

With all the best intentions and planning in the world, disputes are still bound to take place in your student accommodation. And, when they do, it’s best to discuss things while they’re still small bugbears, rather than letting them settle and grow into more serious issues.

It’s crazy how quickly a small annoyance can turn into a full-blown row because you let resentment bubble up inside. Act fast and rationally, so that the issue is off your chest and stands a better chance of being resolved quickly.

 

Compromise or stand your ground?

The real key here is knowing when to compromise and when to stand your ground. The fewer arguments there are in your house, the nicer things will be for everyone living in your shared accommodation. After all, everyone wants to live in a harmonious atmosphere with good positive vibes.

A day-old cereal bowl on the kitchen table may irritate you no end, but it may not be worth another argument. If it keeps happening over and over again, then address it with the culprit, but if it’s a one-off or very rare occasion, then just ignore it and maybe clean it away yourself. Then you can forget it and move on with your day.

 

Occasionally bigger issues will occur, and it will be necessary to tackle and resolve the problem as soon as possible. However, the trick is to be able to divide the important things from the not-so-important things and draw on your common sense to decide the best (and more peaceful) course of action.