bluegirl1013

Since the beginning of the year, my main problem with having a roommate is that I am too considerate, and expect her to reciprocate. That isn't going to happen, so I've been trying to behave the same way she does - I used to leave the room when she's napping, now I don't, etc. Because it's such a learning curve for me, I don't really know what issues should be discussed, and what issues should be ignored.

So, this has only happened twice, but it really angers me: I wake up in the night to find my roommate standing over me, telling me to wake up. The first time, she said "I can't sleep when you do that," I said "do what?" and she just made a heavy breathing noise. So it wasn't even really snoring! She hadn't mentioned it again, until last night. I have a cold so I was making a snoring noise when I breathed through my nose. Yeah, I understand that it was annoying, but it's not something I can control. And of course I couldn't get back to sleep after she woke me....

Over the years I have had loads of sleepovers with friends, and have never been told I snore, so this isn't a regular problem. She disturbs my sleep with typing almost every night, and I have never complained - I figured that sleep disturbances come with the territory of having a roommate. It sucks to finally fall asleep through her noise, only to be woken up for something that is entirely involuntary.

So, is it acceptable for her to wake me up for heavy breathing/snoring? If the problem arises again, what should I tell her? She is an international student, so communication is a bit tricky.

hopingforbetter

Just ask her back "How can I? Give me a suggestion " politely. Don't be harsh or rude because she's your roommate.

Important : Don't be like the HI - BYE type. Try to talk to her for once as you do with your friend and you can understand her.

grendel1

No thats totally inappropriate! I don't know what you can do if she doesn't respond, but you need to communicate that that's totally not okay and that she needs to let you sleep. Tell her to wear earplugs if need be. I'd talk to your RA if she does it again.

RacinReaver

If it happens once in a long while and you're not sick, I don't see the problem with doing it. My college roommate and I would both snore one random night a month, and the other would do something to get the other to wake up enough so they'd stop. Generally it was just the way we were lying down and after rolling over we'd stop.

stradmom

I recently read an article that suggested that whistling quietly causes snorers to stop. Might be worth a try!

JeSuis

Ask her if earplugs would help block out the sound. I almost always wear them just so I don't hear my roommate rolling over, coughing, etc. People will make noise when they sleep, and it's not fair for her to wake you up every time you make a little bit of noise. Now if she can hear the snoring through earplugs, it might be worth it for her to switch rooms. I for one cannot stand snoring and asked my roommates if they snored before moving in. If one of them had, I was prepared to get a room transfer.

ChadVene

Well what I used to do was take a pillow, and go over to his bed, and then..

Or you know, you can get some noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.
Also, whispering a person's name really softly causes them to wake up.

zobroward

think of it as practice for marriage.
joking aside you need to get a single room next year or next semster.

syed2011

Heavy breathing/snoring causes a lot of disturbance to others. There are some tips to avoid snoring, please follow the tips otherwise it may create a problem in the future also I mean if you shift to other room, it may cause disturbance to them also!!