Living in halls is a fantastic opportunity to meet new peopl

Introducing yourself to strangers and living with people you've never met might be daunting at first but you'll soon get the hang of it. You never know, you could meet friends for life! But it can also be challenging at times, especially if you have different personalities, habits and expectations.

To avoid conflicts and enjoy your shared living experience, here are some tips on how to get along with your flatmates:

Invite your flatmates to do things with you
Sharing experiences with your flatmates is the most effective way to create long-lasting relationships. It may be as simple as going to the movies, walking around the city, or just eating together. Try to find some common interests and hobbies that you can enjoy as a group to get the conversation flowing.

Create a rota
Setting some rules and creating a rota sooner rather than later will help. Whether it's taking the bins out, doing the washing up straight away, or deciding to all do a clean of the communal areas every Saturday. This will save disagreements in the long run.

Put some music on in the kitchen
For one, this lets your flatmates know you're up and about, and sharing some tunes can be a great conversation starter! Maybe start a Spotify playlist for the flat that you can all add music to.

Cook or bake
You'll be sharing a kitchen with your flatmates so go into the kitchen when you hear other people in there and cook dinner or bake snacks together. This is a great ice-breaker and will make everyone feel a bit more comfortable.

Go food shopping together
This can help you save money and avoid waste by buying in bulk and sharing the costs. You can also plan a flat meal where you can cook together and enjoy some delicious food as a group.

Start conversations
Yes, it's easier to wait to be spoken to but that won't get you anywhere. That doesn't mean walking into a room full of people and being the loudest person there, but finding out more about your flatmates will help build relationships.

Be respectful
Living with flatmates means you have to be considerate of their feelings, schedules, and preferences. For example, if your flatmate has an important exam or meeting the next day, don’t play loud music or invite friends over at night.

Living in halls can be a rewarding and fun experience if you follow these tips and make an effort to get along with your flatmates. You will not only have a comfortable and harmonious living environment, but may also make some lifelong friends along the way.