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Step 1
Get to know each other. You and your roommate may seem vastly different from one another, but one of the best ways to attempt to overcome these differences is to simply talk to each other and find out where each of you is coming from. Discuss families, friends, majors and courses of study, reactions to college life and likes and dislikes. Knowing basic facts about each other will allow you to relate to each other.
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Step 2
Set ground rules together. Discuss important boundaries with your roommate so that you both know what things are important to each of you. In regards to noise, decide how late is too late to play music or watch the television and what times are will be designated for study, during which the room should be noise-free.
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Step 3
Voice your concerns. The first few times that your roommate gets a little loud, tell them. Explain why the noise was excessive and how you found it intrusive, but be nice about it. It may be that your ideas of what is and isn't loud are simply not the same.
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Step 4
Offer alternatives. If your roommate likes to play video games with the volume turned up, suggest buying headphones for the computer that will allow them to have the sound they need without intruding on your quiet. If they continuously have the stereo playing at all hours, ask if they would agree to a time of night when the stereo could be turned off to avoid disturbing your sleep and the rest of the dorm.
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Step 5
Be firm. If your roommate continues to be loud at all hours of the day and still does not respect your boundaries after several requests, do not give up. You have as much right to your quiet as they do to their noise, and as roommates, you must have a mutual respect for one another.
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Step 6
Enlist help. If you feel that the noise situation between you and your loud roommate cannot be resolved between the two of you, ask your resident adviser to help you out. Set up a meeting with your roommate and adviser when both you and your roommate can voice your opinions and be heard by an objective third party. Your resident adviser will be able to offer suggestions about sharing space and respecting each other's boundaries and preferences.
