Skip to content
College life is exciting but it can also bring its fair share of challenges, including conflicts with teachers, roommates, and personal relationships.
Learning how to address conflict constructively can help you strengthen relationships, reduce everyday stress, and discover a better path forward.
Here are a few time-proven strategies for managing any conflict:
- Listen to understand, not just to respond
- Describe the situation using “I statements” and avoid blaming others
- Stay calm and prevent your emotions from taking over, which may involve taking a time-out
Consider these tips for addressing conflict with professors:
- Approach your teacher respectfully and consider scheduling a conversation
- Ask for clarifications on assignments before they’re due
- Express your concerns calmly and be open to constructive feedback
- Learn to advocate for yourself to find new solutions or common ground
Here are a few strategies for preventing or addressing conflict with roommates:
- Discuss overall guidelines up front, such as boundaries, chores, and guests
- Address your annoyances calmly and directly before they buildup
- Consider mediation if needed by talking to your Resident Assistant (RA) or campus counseling
Here are tips for managing and resolving conflict in personal relationships:
- Acknowledge your emotions and how they may stem from miscommunications or unmet expectations
- Seek to understand the other person’s perspective
- Collaborate on finding solutions that honor both people’s needs
Left unaddressed or unresolved, conflicts like these have a way of becoming a bigger problem, where they can interfere with your mental health, your school work, and how you manage everyday life.
Your Assistance Program is here to help. Services are free, confidential, and accessible 24/7. To learn more, visit Member Support.
