Last Updated on May 23, 2023
Your social skills will be put to the test in college, which is why each opportunity to have some privacy is extremely precious. Getting accustomed to living with others, you will learn to identify the small things that give you privacy. If this is close to impossible because you have three other people sharing your space in the dorm, here are some tips.
1. Find a Place Where You Can Take Your Calls
Dorms have a lounge where you can take your calls, especially if your roommate is around. This is not only for your privacy but for your roommate’s comfort as well. If the dorm lounge is full of people, you can always settle for the hallway, an out-of-the-way corner or the staircase. Remind your family or your friends to call at certain hours to make sure you’re ready to transfer to a private place when the call comes.
2. Wake Up at Dawn to Study
Living with other people means being considerate and hoping they’ll do the same. But you can’t expect to get much privacy when everyone’s up and alert, either studying or just chilling out after a long day attending classes. This is a common problem among students that can’t get much studying done when there are people around. The good thing is that there will always be a time when everyone goes to sleep and you can have the whole room for yourself.
The most ideal time to have some privacy is during dawn when everyone else’s asleep and you can do whatever you want as long as you’re careful. To do this, you need to put your alarm on vibrate mode so that you won’t wake the others. Sleep early and plan to wake up at around two or three in the morning, turn on your lamp and do some studying in peace.
3. Lay Down Some Ground Rules for Guests
In a perfect world, your roommate would ask you first if he or she can let some guests in the room. But chances are, your guests will invite themselves, or your roommate will bring some friends over without asking permission. If you can’t help but entertain some guests, lay down some ground rules as soon as the guests leave.
These rules don’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to come off as a grouch. You can simply ask the guests to vacate your bed when you come in so you can nap. Put on your sleeping eye mask and your earphones so that the guests won’t disturb you by including you in the conversation. If you took the bottom bunk, put up a blanket to cover your sleeping area so that you can nap in peace even with guests around.
4. Scheduled Private Moments
As college students, you will find that getting a room is difficult if you have a nosy roommate that comes in while you’re spending quality time with your significant other. You can’t just drive your roommate away during these times because you know the room does not belong only to you. The good news is that you can schedule private room times as long as you afford your roommate the same privilege every so often. Have a candid talk with your roommate about having privacy at certain times of the day. For this, you can replace the old sock on the knob signal with something that isn’t too obvious.
Photo Courtesy of BIGSTOCK
Hello, I'm Ruby Galvez. I'm originally from the Philippines and have been a dedicated writer for HBCU lifestyle since 2012. My writing journey at HBCU lifestyle is more than just a profession; it's a heartfelt advocacy for the mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As a college graduate, I'm deeply passionate about supporting first-generation college students and fostering diversity and inclusion. I firmly believe in empowering the next generation of student change-makers through education and awareness. Each article I craft is a step towards this goal, using my voice to inspire and enact change. Join me in this mission for a more equitable and educated world.
