Ugh. I’ve been having some real problems with the dorm life. My roommate usually likes to call their friends over discord or w/e and play games, usually late… I feel so terrible for being so rude about it but being autistic, the noise level really gets on my nerves. There are times where I have to leave or I’ll start hitting myself. Sometimes I can just go somewhere else, but at night I get kinda short on options especially when I’m tired and wanting to go to wind down for bed. I can’t just ask them to not hang out with their friends from back home but I’ve got earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and music going, and it’s still too loud in my room for me. I don’t know what to do without being mean ![]()
Talk to your roommate. The roommate may not realize that the late night sessions are impacting you. Does the roommate use headphones for these sessions? If not, suggesting them would be good starting point. If you are uncomfortable approaching your roommate or the two of you cannot come to an agreement, enlist the help of your R.A. Part of the R.A.’s job is to mediate roommate disputes.
Agree with talking to your roommate. You may also want to make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services at your college to determine if you might qualify for a single room accomodation in future years.
I think all the suggestions above are a really good idea. One of my kiddos is on the spectrum and got a little studio apartment on campus his sophmore year. He says it was a really good choice for him. He can hang out with his friend at the ‘party house’ when he wants to socialize and then has his own space to come back to. I know that housing often opens for next year around this time - so keep that in mind for next year. For this year - yeah talk to your roommate, hopefully they have headphones – and then talk to Disability Support Services – they may be able to obtain a single room.
It’s a bit of a smaller campus, so I’d hate the idea of taking the opportunity for a single room from someone who needs it..
It sounds like this is something that would be really helpful for you. Please don’t discount your own needs.
You should have a single room as an accommodation. Can’t believe you are enduring this. I am noise sensitive and totally relate. Talk to an RA - of course not in a critical way regarding roommate but about your own needs. Are you registered with the Office of Disabilities? A single room is a common accommodation. One of mine had one for migraines.
That is very gracious. But it would be a mistake to ignore your needs. IMO it is worth a discussion with The Office of Disability Services. Also check to see if there are any wellness or quiet dorms on campus that could be a better fit.
For now, discuss with your roommate and get the RA involved if needed.