1. Having Problems Reaching a Consensus in your Room? Follow these steps to help you communicate your feelings and reach a COMPROMISE!

2. The Art of Communication The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information as by speech, signals, writing or behavior Use I feel… statements in order to effectively state your opinions, not You make me feel… Always remain calm Be willing to take turns in communicating and LISTEN

3. The Art of Communication Effective Listening: Acknowledge the other persons point of view Be willing to actively listen (i.e. engage yourself, lean forward, make eye contact, and summarize what you are hearing)

4. Compromise A settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands

5. Compromise Dont be pushy or aggressive Dont let feelings build up Listen, learn, and try to generate solutions together through Effective Communication Remember the only person YOU can change is YOU

6. References Dictionary.com Nipissing University Counseling Services

7. By Anne Baxter, Residence Don, Nipissing University North Bay, ON Canada