It can take some time to get used to living in a small dorm room with other people.Sharing a room with people you might not know well doesn't mean you have to give up your privacy.Private time can still be had if you make a few changes to the room and are honest with your roommates.
Step 1: Establish boundaries with your roommates.
Ground rules are needed if you want privacy in a room that you share with others.You can discuss with your roommates the policy for having visitors in the room and whether overnight guests are acceptable.It is a good idea to discuss whether you can borrow things from each other.It's a good idea to be honest with your roommates about the type of privacy you want, and to listen to the boundaries that they want you to follow.Everyone should feel at home in the room.Privacy and room boundaries may be hard to discuss with your roommates if you have just met them.You might say, "I'm excited to live with you and get to know you, but my privacy is very important to me."When it comes to having overnight visitors in the room, you and your roommates might agree that they are allowed as long as you inform each other ahead of time.It is best to agree that you must get permission first before you can borrow items from one another.
Step 2: There are exchange schedules.
If you want to have private time in your dorm room, you should discuss your schedules with your roommates.You will want to know when they are at class or work, and they will probably want the same about you.If you need some time alone, you can know when the room will be free.If you and your roommates are usually out of the room at the same time for classes, work, and other activities, you may want to create a schedule that allows you each to have some alone timeIf you agree to go to the library for a couple of hours on Monday evenings, your roommate will get the room, and you will have some alone time on Wednesday nights.If you and your roommates stay up late or wake up early, you can be disrespectful of one another's schedule.
Step 3: You should protect your belongings.
You don't have to worry about your things if you trust your roommates.You may not be sure if they will respect your privacy if you just met them.Passwords should be enabled on your phone, computer, and any other electronic devices that you keep in the room.If you have other items, such as clothing, jewelry, or books, that you don't want them to have access to, you may want to invest in a trunk or footlocker.Make sure you don't share your passwords with anyone.You should not write them down on the papers in the room.If you have a trunk or footlocker with a lock, keep the key in your wallet or book bag so you know it is always with you.
Step 4: The room needs to be arranged for privacy.
While dorm rooms are usually small, there are ways to arrange furniture so you and your roommates have some privacy.If you are sharing a room with only one roommate, you can each take a side of the room to set up your own space.You can take a corner of the room for your furniture if you are sharing it with three or four other people.You could use the room's furniture to divide the space in a two person dorm room.Place the furniture in the center of the room, with yours facing your side and your roommate facing theirs.That will create a barrier to keep you out of each other's sight.Check to see if your school lofts your bed.lofting your bed will allow you to create a space beneath that you can put your desk or seating area.In a two person dorm room, having one person place their desk beneath their bed and the other leave it on the floor allows you to keep different sleeping and studying schedules without disturbing one another.
Step 5: There is a folding screen.
A folding screen is an ideal solution if you want more privacy than your dorm room has to offer.You put it in front of the room to give yourself some privacy.Because it folds up, you don't have to leave it out all the time, so you can still hang out with your roommates.If you have lofted your bed and created a sitting area beneath it, a folding screen is ideal.It is almost like you have your own private room if you open the screen in front of the area.You can find folding screens at Target or Walmart.You can make your own with old shutters and hinges on a budget.
Step 6: The curtains should be hung.
When you want privacy from your roommate, fabric can work as a room divider.Most colleges won't allow you to screw or bolt curtain rods and cables into the ceiling, so you should opt for a lightweight material for the curtains, such as cotton voile, organdy, or cotton gauze, that you can attach to theceiling with easy to remove push pins.You can hang the fabric panels in the center of the room to divide it, or in certain areas, such as under the lofted bed.If you want to be able to open and close the fabric divider, you should use curtain tiebacks.
Step 7: There is a pop-up tent.
A pop-up tent is a great option if you want privacy from time to time.Unlike traditional camping tents that require stakes to assemble, these tents stand on their own, so you can put it up anywhere in your room.You only have to climb inside when you want private time.You can either leave the tent assembled or take it down and put it under your bed.Pop-up tents are designed to fit around a bed, so you can privacy when you are sleeping or reading.Private space in your dorm room can be found in the pop-up tents on the floor.When you feel like being more social or just need some air, the zip-out windows in the tents can be opened.
Step 8: You can use a sleep mask.
A sleep mask is a must for roommates who aren't on the same schedule.If your roommates are staying up to study or write a paper, you won't be disturbed by these masks.If you have had to pull an all-nighter, it will help you sleep during the day.You may be able to find more private time in the room if you sleep more flexible hours.Cotton and silk are some of the materials used in sleep masks.Try different things to see what works for you.Some masks have scent that can encourage sleep.It may help you fall asleep if you have trouble sleeping.Purchase a sleep mask for your roommate so they can sleep around your schedule, too, as a friendly gesture.
Step 9: Wear noise-cancelling headphones.
If you don't want to listen to your roommate's phone conversation or fight with their significant other, noise-cancelling headphones are the best way to give them privacy.You don't have to worry about being distracted by your roommate if you wear these headphones whenever you want to study or work.It's not the same as noise-isolating headphones.A tight seal between your ear and the headphones reduces the amount of noise you hear.Noise-cancelling headphones can use a seal to block noise, but they can also electronically cancel out ambient sounds for more effective noise-blocking.It is a good idea to try on the headphones that you are considering.You want to make sure they are comfortable when you wear them.