You asked:

My roommate and I keep fighting over the TV. My favorite show is on at the same time as hers, and it’s really driving a wedge between us. Help!

It almost seems silly that something so simple as a TV show can start an argument between roomies. Still, at the end of the day, we all have our favorite show we’d really like to just enjoy. Answers to these questions will help you determine who gets dibs on TV time, once and for all:

• Have you really talked about this? If you’re always fighting to get back to your room first so you can claim the TV, then you haven’t opened a discussion. Talk with your roommate openly about sharing the TV to see if you can figure out a schedule.
• Does anyone else in the dorm watch your show? If you both love two different prime-time shows, it’s likely someone else in the dorm is also a fan of your show, and may be watching in another room. See if you can join them. You’ll get the added bonus of getting to people that share your interests (in TV shows, at least!).
• Can you trade off TV time? Every other week you could have the TV, and your roommate could go elsewhere to watch her show. Or, catch your favorite show a day later on the Internet. Many online sites offer the most recent episodes of major shows.
• Whose TV is it? Ultimately, if you can’t make a TV schedule work, then whoever owns the TV should have the final say. Don’t let this one argument take control of your friendship as roommates. Work toward building other positive interactions such as cleaning schedules, dinner nights and study time.

Name: Sarah Arsenoff
School: UNC Wilmington
Year: Senior
Major: Marine Biology
Her Deal: This is Sarah's third year as an R.A. for freshmen and international students. She writes for Periplus, a university newsletter for students who, like her, are in the honors scholars program.

TALK IT UP

Have a better answer? Share it here.