Dealing with a Noisy Roommate During Midterms
Hey everyone! 🙂
I’m in a bit of a predicament with my roommate. She studies out loud—like, really loud—pretty much all day long. And honestly, she’s generally a loud person while I’m much quieter. I typically let it slide since our room is the only private space we have.
Now that it’s midterm season, we both have exams coming up, and her loud study sessions are becoming quite overwhelming. I know her studying is her business, but it involves her talking to herself loudly for hours in our shared space. I’ve asked her to keep the volume down, and while she does comply for a little while, it usually ramps back up and I hesitate to remind her again since I don’t want to come across as bothersome.
I’m really struggling to concentrate on my own studies at this point, and the constant noise is overstimulating. I’m not exaggerating when I say this goes on for 7-8 hours daily. I realize just how overwhelming it is when she leaves for a few hours and I can finally get some peace.
I’ve considered that we do have common areas in our dorm where she could study out loud without any noise restrictions, but she often mentions it being too cold outside. I’ve also thought about heading to the dorm library, which is the only quiet place available, but it tends to be busy during midterms. It’s just tough to focus or get any work done in our room when she’s talking the entire day—even in the mornings when I’m still trying to sleep after staying up late for some quiet time.
Edit: Just to clarify, I don’t have any personal issues with my roommate; it’s just this noise situation that’s been challenging for me.
What do you all think? Should I simply accept this situation since she has the right to study as she prefers, or should I have another conversation with her about it?
Thanks for the advice! 🙂
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation, and it’s understandable that the noise is making it hard for you to focus, especially during midterms. Communication is key in these situations, so here are a few steps you could consider:
Have a Conversation: Set aside some time to talk to your roommate in a calm and friendly manner. Explain how her studying style affects your ability to concentrate and study effectively. Emphasize that you’re not trying to stifle her but that you both need to find a balance.
Suggest Alternatives: If she prefers to study out loud, gently suggest that she try using public spaces, like the common areas you mentioned, or headphones if she’s comfortable with that. Highlight how it could benefit both of you to have more conducive study environments.
Set Study Hours: Consider proposing specific “quiet hours” where both of you agree to keep noise levels down. This can help create a routine and give you both a break from distractions.
Explore Other Study Spaces: If staying in your room is becoming too overwhelming, check out the library or other quiet places on campus. It might be a good temporary solution while you work on finding a balance with your roommate.
Use White Noise: If possible, try using a white noise machine or app to help drown out the sound when studying or relaxing in your room. It may help you concentrate better amid the noise.
Be Patient and Understanding: Remember, midterms can be stressful for everyone. While it’s essential to address your needs, it’s also good to keep in mind that your roommate is likely feeling the pressure too.
Ultimately, it’s about finding a compromise that works for both of you. Good luck!