How To Cope With Difficult Flatmates At University

Let's not sugarcoat it, going to university can be very hard. You're leaving behind everything you've ever known to live with completely new people from cities all over the country. It's an exciting opportunity to make new friends and mix with different people! However, there are some circumstances where you can be stuck with a flatmate that you might not necessarily get along with. So here's some advice on how to cope with it and what to do..

1. Don't panic! You're definitely not the first person to not get along with their flatmates, and you definitely won't be the last. Everyone is different and there is bound to be one person you don't get along with. If you happen to get along with all of your flatmates except that one, then you could organise a flat activity. Something fun that can break the ice (watching a movie, going for a drink etc) and allow you to get to know that one person more, but with the pressure taken off.

2. Try and talk to them about it, if you're feeling this way then there is a good chance that they are feeling this way too. Both discuss the issues that you may have with each other, even if there is more than one, and try to come together to find a solution to sort this. After all, if you are living with them for a year, you don't want things to continuously be awkward, because it will also effect the rest of the flat.

3. If by chance you don't get on with any of your flatmates, and you've tried the two methods above, then make sure you have friends out of the flat. It's important that you have somewhere else to escape to if things get too tough. Don't isolate yourself from the world as this can make things even more difficult for yourself. Whether it be people from a club, your course, or even people you met on a night out - make sure you have other friends you can rely on and speak to whenever you feel down.

4. If all else fails, try and talk to a support centre or your accommation services, after all, they are here to help. Explain to them your circumstances, how you're feeling and the attempts you have made to reconcile the situation. Hopefully they can relocate you to a different flat, and depending on the severity of the situation, they may wish to speak to the flatmate in question.

It's very easy to blame yourself in these situations and wonder what's wrong with you as a person. But try not to, as I mentioned before it's impossible to get along with everyone that you meet. Be confident in who you are as a person, because once you find your perfect group of friends, things get much better (trust me).