SHARE LIVING TIPS

It is important to remember that you could be housed with up to four or five other students whom you don't know and who could be from quite different cultures and backgrounds from yourself. Great care is taken when putting an apartment together and consideration is given to personal preferences, course, age, gender and interests. This experience could be one of the most rewarding of your life with long lasting friendships made from all around the world. Again, as in any area of life, respect and consideration for each other's differences is paramount.

Difference is not good or bad - just different! Each flat is set up to house five or six people. You are encouraged to make it as homely as possible but please do not use pins, tape, screws or anything else which could damage the walls. There are notice boards which can be used for this purpose. Any damage will be charged for either to the individual or the flat as a group. Consideration and respect is expected from all residents in relation to noise, cleanliness and the day to day functions of the flat.

It is important as soon as you all arrive to have a flat meeting in which things such as cleaning rosters, cost sharing, cooking, overnight guests, visitors, drinking, parties, etc are discussed. The earlier these things are discussed and agreed upon, the quicker you can all settle down to a happy and harmonious flat. It is important to have these meetings at least twice per semester particularly if you are in a flat in which there is a turnover of residents.

The main thing to remember is to be considerate and respect your flatmates and neighbours.

If at any time during the year, you feel that a flatmate is not contributing or there are other problems (no matter how minor), it is important that they be discussed straight away. Speak to the person/s directly or call a flat meeting. It is when minor problems are left unresolved that they 'snowball' into large, often irreconcilable problems. If problems continue, try the mediation services of the Village Director.

Warning!! Exam pressure exacerbates these minor disputes so even something like late night toilet flushing should be sorted out early in the year!

A good rule to remember is ... "to have a good flatmate is to be a good flatmate.