Living with a roommate can be fun and exciting, but it can also be hard. You and your roommate may have different schedules where you don’t see each other often. You may like a clean apartment while your roommate doesn’t mind a messy floor. You may not like your roommate’s significant other crashing every night, and your roommate may not like your loud music. Even though differences and tough situations may arise, it’s always worth it to be honest and open with one another and to do things together so you will stay friends. So, here are 7 activities even brand-new roommates can do, to get to know each other better and start building a friendship.
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Eat dinner together at least once a week.
Whether you’re eating out at a nice restaurant or sitting on the couch eating pizza, sit down, share a meal together, and catch up on each other’s lives.
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Cook dinner together.
Take dining together a step further by cooking together. Even if you burn toast and set the fire alarm off, have fun cooking a new recipe together.
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Go for a walk.
One of the biggest perks of the outdoors is that we get to enjoy its natural beauty for free. Lace up and hit a hiking trail, or simply walk around town and window shop. A quick walk means relaxation, exercise, and quality time together.
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Support your roommate’s interests.
If your roommate is an art enthusiast, attend an art exhibit together. Or if your roommate loves to run 5ks, sign up together or at least cheer on at the finishing line. It may not be your favorite way to spend a Friday night or a Saturday morning, but your roommate will appreciate your support. In turn, your roommate will feel encouraged to support your interests.
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Spend time with your roommate’s family and friends.
Some of the most important people in your roommate’s life are their family and friends. Getting to know them and having them in your life can help build a stronger friendship between you and your roommate.
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Hang out together.
Watch a movie, hit the beach, or go to a concert. Just do something fun and spontaneous that you can enjoy together.
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Talk.
Whether it’s about school, work, family, or the new shoes you bought, talk. Even if it’s something awkward like money or the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, talk. It can be easy to let petty differences or pride strain any friendship, but don’t let this happen to you. Talk with one another, always be honest, and find a solution because it’s always better be friends rather than two people who just live in the same apartment.
