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Studies Show Roommates Can Affect Students' Collegiate Success
By Catherine Groux
Posted August 09, 2012 09:54 AM
Studies show roommates can affect students' collegiate success.When students first go to college to pursue a bachelor's degree, one of the things they are often most anxious about is who their roommate will be. According to recent studies, these individuals may be wise to be a little nervous, as their relationship with their roommate can affect their success in college.
How Roommates Can Influence Students
A recent study by Wake Forest University indicates that if men are assigned a smart roommate, their grades tend to rise, especially if they attend a small, liberal arts school. These results suggest that male students pick up on their roommate's motivation and study skills, which can, in turn, help boost their grades. The same, however, cannot be said about women, as there was no noticeable grade increase when women were paired with high-performing students.
Although having an intelligent roommate can lead to better grades, developing a poor relationship with a roommate can have the opposite effect, a study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte shows. The study identifies roommate problems as one of college students' top stressors, topped only by not getting enough sleep.
Overall, for better or for worse, many professionals agree students' relationships with their roommates can impact their academic performance and collegiate success.
"I find that roommate peer effects are important influences in freshman year GPA and in decisions to join social organizations," said Bruce Sacerdote, a professor of economics at Dartmouth College.
Tips for Getting Along with a New Roommate
If students find they have a less-than-perfect relationship with their new roommates, they should not worry. There are certain tips they can follow to build a better bond with their classmate, ultimately turning cohabitation into friendship.
Donna McGalliard, dean of residence life and housing at Wake Forest University, recently said in a press release that students should start the school year off on the right foot by calling or Skyping their new roommate, rather than just looking through their Facebook profile.
Additionally, McGalliard believes creating a roommate contract is crucial. While this does not need to be a complex document, it should outline what each student thinks is important. This gives both parties a chance to be honest about what they want and do not want and find a middle ground.
Typically, McGalliard sees students argue about inviting guests into the room, using games or the TV, keeping the room clean and borrowing personal items. Therefore, individuals should be sure to establish clear guidelines when it comes to these important issues.
