Moving into a flat for the first time is an incredibly exciting thing. It signals a whole new chapter in your life, the time to live that ‘student lifestyle’ alongside your best friends all under one roof.
You’re going to deal with a lot of new things; landlords, the shock of an electricity bill that shot up one month. Also, let’s not forget constantly questioning the incredible rate you all manage to go through the toilet roll at.
However, seeing your friends in a different light will also be a new experience while you live in a new home with them. So, it’s important that before moving in, you all try to discuss some key issues that you may face during the year.
Learning to deal with awkward situations can feel like it’s going to make or break your friendships at times. Of course, you don’t want to nag anyone, but is asking someone to pick up after themselves really a big deal?
These little things can be extremely nerve racking when you live with someone you only have good memories with. It’s like making it through the first argument in a relationship.
With everyone enjoying their newfound freedom, you can also very quickly find that there isn’t a single clean glass to use. And the recycling looks like it hasn’t been taken out in 4 months. So, setting standards and splitting chores is always a good idea before moving in, introducing it after 6 months just won’t work.
Remember though, you want to make sure everyone respects that there are other people living in the flat, whilst ensuring everyone feels at home too.
As a flatmate, you should learn to take things on the chin. This means that if someone asks you to clean something up or says they’d like some space, don’t take it personally. The time and energy you could spend feeling bitter or worried about it would be much better spent just doing what you were asked. That way everyone is happy, and you no longer have to worry about doing that chore you were procrastinating.
That’s not to say it’s always easy to deal with these things. Just like living with a sibling at home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
You want to be able to look back and laugh, and at the end of the day, you are all friends for a reason. So, stay open and honest with each other during those awkward situations.
However, if you decide that certain people were just too much to live with then that’s okay. Not being able to live in the same house as someone, and being their friend in general are completely different things – continue to be besties, just don’t live with them again!
Living with your friends definitely comes with its pros and cons – like most things in life. But experiencing little things like being able to borrow a top for when you have nothing to wear, or helping your flatmate get ready for their date always means a lot, and it’s how memories are made.
Overall, you live, and you learn. So, if you do ever move in with friends, keep in mind the simple phrase to ‘treat others the way you want to be treated’.
Featured image credit: The Sun.co.uk
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