With the semester in full swing, you probably have a routine down: sleep, eat, study, repeat. You probably see your roommate a few times a day, but if you’re with someone you don’t know very well, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone; even when you’re living with others. If you’re struggling with finding ways to connect and bond with your roommates, here are some ideas tailored to the fall semester that will help boost bonding and, hopefully, create lasting friendships.
1. Decorate together.
Even though the weather may not seem like it, it is officially autumn. What better way to have fun with your roommates than decorating for Halloween? Go to Target or the dollar store and buy some cheap decorations like paper ghosts, felt bats, or even some pumpkins, and deck out your dorm room with the spookiest decor you can find! Another great option and a fun way to bond is to make your own decorations. Go on Pinterest and find someone who likes DIY Halloween (or fall) decorations and make some crafts together that you can showcase around your room.
2. Study together.
I know this may not seem like the most fun time, but even just sitting in relative silence and doing your homework together side-by-side is a good way to bond. If you take the same class or similar classes, make flashcards together and quiz each other. If your roommate has taken a class you’re taking, or vice versa, they can give you help in areas you’re struggling with. There are so many ways to make this a bonding opportunity: quizzing each other, making flash cards or coming up with ways to remember the information. Whatever the case, it’s something you’ll have to do anyway, so why not do it together?
3. Watch something together.
Whether it be a movie or binge watching a TV show, sitting down together and being able to talk and joke about something you both know about is a great way to bond. You can go to a local theater, but just sitting together and maybe making some snacks is just as fun! Find a binge worthy show on Netflix, or a recent movie you both have been wanting to see. This is a great way to start a conversation between the two of you if you can’t find anything in common.
4. Bake together.
Baking or cooking together is a great way to bond with your roommates. Going on Pinterest or a baking site and finding a fun recipe, going to the grocery store together to gather the ingredients and then to make (and maybe decorate) something together. And then, of course, the best part: getting to eat it together. It’s a great way to bond through making something, but then also reaping the rewards and getting to try it together. The other option is cooking a fancy dinner or lunch for yourselves and then sitting down for a nice, home cooked meal together.
5. Go out together or stay in.
West Chester has tons of great places to go no matter what you’re in the mood for. You could go to a local cafe, bar, shop or restaurant. Exploring the town together will make for a great bonding experience and a great way to explore the town as well. You can window shop, grab a bite to eat or go for dessert. If you’re not in the mood to get dressed up and go out, you can just as easily lounge around in comfy clothes together for a night, making snacks or ordering in some food.
Alison Roller is a third-year student English major who minors in journalism. AR875447@wcupa.edu