January 3, 2026 at 9:23 am

Dorm Mates Expect A College Student To Clean Messes She Didn’t Make, But She Says No Because She Always Tidies Up After Herself

by Ashley Ashbee

Handwashing a dish in a sink

Pexels/Reddit

Divvying up responsibilities with roommates can get pretty annoying, especially if you feel you are cleaning up after slobs.

See why the young woman in this story does not see eye to eye with her dorm mates.

AITA For telling my dorm mates that I won’t be contributing to anything

I stay in a college dorm built sort of like an apartment. There are 3 beds and 2 baths with a full kitchen. I live with 4 other females.

Recently I have stopped contributing to the dorm because I’m no longer here as much.

She has her reasons.

Due to work and family I only stop by to sleep and grab a change of clothes. While I am here though for my classes I make sure to pick up after myself and make sure my things are in order to the best of my capabilities.

Around the middle of first semester everyone has been falling off when it comes to chores and groceries. Sometimes the sink will be stacked with dishes or the trash would be falling over.

I tried my best to help and do the dishes or take out the trash but my efforts are always wasted because it goes back to what it was not even two hours later.

Then she said her piece. Bluntly.

My roommate had messaged me asking if I could do the dishes and I told her that I would while also politely telling her that I don’t see a need to because I’m not the one causing the mess.

During the argument I stated that as an adult I pick up after myself so that I don’t cause a burden to anyone and that I don’t buy groceries because I won’t be eating them with other things included.

I see where she is coming from but I still don’t understand how it’s my problem since I’m not the one causing it.

Here is what people are saying.

Sounds sensible.

Screenshot 2025 12 15 at 8.37.08 PM Dorm Mates Expect A College Student To Clean Messes She Didnt Make, But She Says No Because She Always Tidies Up After Herself

It’s really straightforward.

Screenshot 2025 12 15 at 8.37.41 PM Dorm Mates Expect A College Student To Clean Messes She Didnt Make, But She Says No Because She Always Tidies Up After Herself

They sound entitled and lazy.

Screenshot 2025 12 15 at 8.38.20 PM Dorm Mates Expect A College Student To Clean Messes She Didnt Make, But She Says No Because She Always Tidies Up After Herself

Excellent point. How long can you stand it?

Screenshot 2025 12 15 at 8.38.45 PM Dorm Mates Expect A College Student To Clean Messes She Didnt Make, But She Says No Because She Always Tidies Up After Herself

Sad, but true.

Screenshot 2025 12 15 at 8.38.56 PM Dorm Mates Expect A College Student To Clean Messes She Didnt Make, But She Says No Because She Always Tidies Up After Herself

Energy should be on studying, not on being a maid for roommates.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check out what happened when a family gave their in-laws a free place to stay in exchange for babysitting, but things changed when they don’t hold up their end of the bargain.