How to Steal Your Roommate’s Clothes without Getting Caught
Nick talks about funny rules to have when living with a roommate.
Nick talks about funny rules to have when living with a roommate.
Don’t steal your roommate’s stuff.
(Read with a Shakespearean grandeur) As I pen this parchment from a thrice-shared dwelling, I bear tidings of the domicile’s accord. Attend then, to these unspoken rules, universally embraced, whilst dwelling within a shared chamber.
Doth roommate know you weareth their drapes?
None of your roommate’s stuff (yes, this includes that signed Willie Nelson shirt) is yours. Assume that personal belongings are off-limits unless you’ve asked first. Taking them without permission can lead to tension, awkwardness, or even full-on roommate drama.
Food is often one of the biggest points of contention. In my experience, my roommates and I have agreed that sharing food is fine within reason. They can grab a few Doritos from my bag, but please, don’t eat the whole thing!
Clothes are another sensitive area. For many people, this is where the line is drawn. That’s okay! Instead of sharing, try exchanging style tips or showing each other how to recreate a look—no borrowing required.
Every room and roommate situation is different, so it’s important to set boundaries early. Borrowing without asking might seem small, but trust is hard to rebuild once it’s broken.
The bottom line: respect your roommate’s space and belongings, and your shared living experience will run much more smoothly.
Should thy chamberfellow fall to plague, exert all effort to ward off ailment. However, sickness may inevitably befall thee, such is the canon fate of shared living.
Unfortunately, being constantly close to another person in a confined space is a recipe for sickness. Especially in the late Fall, sickness easily spreads in your room and around campus. Make all efforts to prevent yourself from getting sick: wear a mask, isolate your roommate, drink tea, and stock up on medicines. Carleton’s Green2Go system is amazing to use when sick. Just scan a container at any of the dining halls and take as much food as it can fit back to your room. Make sure to return it when finished!
Carleton’s Student Health and Counseling Services (SHAC) is also a great and free resource to use. They have medicines, masks, and anything else needed for your recovery.
Despite your best efforts to not get sick from your roommate, you will get sick. This is a canon event. If you are the contagion infecting your roommate, don’t feel too bad, it happens to the best of us. Make sure to properly rest before returning to class!
And I spake, “Let there be light!” Yet, beware use of the light above.
Now that we’ve survived the plague, let us properly illuminate our dwelling.
Using the overhead lights absolutely kills the vibe of the room. Nothing screams sterile hospital more than a bright flickering white bulb. Buy a desk lamp or two to keep the mood cozy. Carleton’s Lighten Up! sale is a donation/garage sale program where students moving out can donate unwanted items. I highly recommend checking it out to get room essentials. I’ve found my desk lamp and a few organizers through the sale.
If none doth labor at their books, then music must resound.
Sharing music with your roommates is not only incredibly fun, but also a fantastic way to connect and get to know each other on a deeper level. It also opens the door to discovering new genres, artists, and songs you might never have explored on your own.
When nobody is buried in homework or focused on something else, consider keeping a speaker handy and taking turns playing your favorite tracks. It’s a low-pressure, natural way to spark conversation, laugh at guilty pleasures, or bond over mutual favorites. Personally, it’s been an amazing outlet for expressing myself and my love for melodramatic boy-band ballads.
Music can also set the mood in your shared space. A chill playlist can make study sessions more enjoyable, a hip-hop mix can turn a lazy afternoon into a mini dance party, and swapping playlists can become a playful tradition over time.
Conclusion
Living with another person can be a new and daunting experience for many. Adjusting to a shared space, routines, and habits requires patience and understanding. With the right mindset and strategies, however, this transition can become a seamless and even enjoyable part of your college life. I treasure my alone time, but having friends around almost 24/7 has made my experience far more vibrant and exciting. From late-night ramen dinner dates to spontaneous Clash Royale tournaments, sharing a living space has turned ordinary moments into memories I’ll always cherish. With a little effort, living with someone else can transform from a challenge into an opportunity for growth, friendship, and fun.
Nick (he/him/his) is a sophomore from Seattle, Washington, and serves as the blog’s editor. He plans to double major in English and Economics with a minor in Creative Writing and Chinese. A member of Carleton’s Varsity Soccer team, he also enjoys staying active at the Recreation Center and running through the fields of the Arboretum. When not working out, he can often be found reading by Lyman Lakes if the mosquitoes choose to leave him alone that day.
On campus, Nick works as a Writing Consultant in the Academic Support Center, where he enjoys helping classmates with their papers. He serves as a Program Director at Project Friendship, where he also interns and hopes to expand the program’s reach. Additionally, he’s part of the Manuscript Editorial Board and volunteers (naps) at the Record Library.