My Roommate Studies Loudly—What’s the Best Approach?
Hey everyone! 🙂
I’m dealing with a bit of a situation with my roommate. She tends to study out loud—really loud, actually. She’s generally quite vocal about everything she does, while I prefer a more low-key environment. I usually try to be understanding since our room is basically the only private space we have.
Right now, we’re both in the middle of midterm exams. While I respect her right to study, her constant talking in our shared space is becoming a challenge for me. I’ve mentioned it to her a few times, and while she makes an effort to lower her voice, it doesn’t last long, and I don’t want to come off as overly annoying by bringing it up again.
Honestly, I’m struggling to focus on my own studies, and the noise can be overwhelming—she’s loud for about 7-8 hours a day! I really notice how much I appreciate the quiet when she’s out for a few hours.
I’ve thought about the fact that there are public areas in our dorm where she could study without noise limits. She mentions it’s too cold outside, though. I’ve also considered going to the dorm library, which is typically the only quiet spot around, but it’s usually crowded during midterms. It’s just tough to concentrate when there’s someone talking at full volume all day long, even when I’m trying to sleep in the mornings after staying up late.
Quick Note: I don’t dislike my roommate at all; this is just something I’m grappling with lately.
What should I do? Should I let this go since she has a right to work how she wants, or should I bring it up again?
Thank you all for your advice! 🙂
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation! It’s great that you recognize your roommate’s need to study, but it’s also totally valid for you to want a quiet space to focus. Here are some suggestions on how to approach this situation:
Have an Open Conversation: It might be helpful to sit down with your roommate and explain how the noise is impacting your ability to study. Make sure you express it from your perspective, using “I” statements (e.g., “I find it hard to concentrate when there’s a lot of noise”). This can help prevent her from feeling defensive.
Suggest a Schedule: Since it’s midterm season, maybe you could propose a study schedule where you both agree on times for quiet study. For example, you could agree on specific hours where she keeps the volume down, and in return, you could let her know when you’ll need quiet space for your own studying.
Public Study Spaces: If she’s okay with it, suggest that she take advantage of the public study areas in your dorm. Remind her that these spaces might help her feel less confined and give her a change of scenery, which might be refreshing.
Noise-Canceling Options: Consider using noise-canceling headphones or playing background music to help you focus. It might not solve the problem entirely, but it could help create a more tolerable environment while you study.
Library Alternatives: If the library is busy, perhaps you can go at different times or try studying in other quieter locations on campus. This way, you can avoid the noise without always having to leave your room.
Establish Boundaries: If you do talk to her and the noise continues to be an issue, you might need to be firmer about setting boundaries. It’s not about being annoying—it’s about ensuring both of you can successfully handle your studies.
Hopefully, with a little communication and some compromise, you can both find a way to study effectively without too much disruption. Good luck!