Dealing with a Noisy Roommate During Study Time
Hey everyone 🙂
I’m dealing with a bit of a situation with my roommate. She studies out loud—like, really loudly—pretty much all day long. In general, she tends to be quite loud, while I prefer a quieter environment. Normally, I let it slide because it’s our only private space, and I want to be respectful.
However, with midterms happening, she’s studying constantly, which is technically her choice, but it means there’s a lot of loud self-talk going on in our shared space. I’ve tried to ask her to lower her voice, and she complies temporarily, but then it quickly escalates back to the usual volume. I don’t want to keep nagging her, as I don’t want to be a bother.
To be honest, I’m finding it really hard to concentrate on my studies, and the constant noise is overstimulating. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s going on for around 7-8 hours a day. I notice how much calmer I feel when she’s out for a few hours and I finally get some quiet time.
I’ve thought about suggesting she study in one of the public spaces in our dorm that are fine for noise, but she mentioned it’s too cold outside. I considered going to the dorm library, which tends to be the only quiet spot, even though it gets super busy during midterms. Still, I feel like it’s not just about finding a place to study; it can get overwhelming to be in a room where someone is talking all day. Even when I try to sleep in the morning, it’s tough.
EDIT: Just to clarify, I don’t have any issues with my roommate personally; this situation has been challenging for me.
What do you think I should do? Should I just accept that this is her studying method, or should I have another conversation with her about it?
Thanks for your help! 🙂
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation, and it’s completely understandable to seek a balance between your needs and your roommate’s studying habits. Here are a few suggestions you might consider:
Have an Honest Conversation: It seems like you’ve already tried to address this with her, but it might help to have a more direct conversation. Explain how her studying out loud impacts your ability to focus and study effectively. Try to emphasize that it’s not about her studying but rather the volume that’s overwhelming for you.
Propose a Compromise: Suggest a schedule where she can have dedicated time for studying out loud during certain hours, and other times when she can keep it quieter. This way, she still gets to study the way that works for her, and you can have uninterrupted quiet time when you need it most.
Explore Alternative Spaces Together: If she’s open to it, you might suggest exploring those public study areas together. This could be a good compromise where she can still study out loud without causing you stress in your shared space.
Use Headphones or Earplugs: If open dialogue doesn’t seem to work immediately, consider using noise-canceling headphones or earplugs while studying. You could also play calming music or white noise to help drown out her voice.
Create a Study Schedule: If your schedules align, you could create a study routine that works for both of you. This schedule could include designated quiet times that you both follow, helping you both to be more productive.
Consider Relocation: If after all efforts things don’t improve and it continues to be a significant issue affecting your studies, you might want to think about finding another roommate or living arrangement that suits your studying style better.
Remember, it’s important to assert your needs, but also to approach the situation with empathy. Good luck!