Roommates are a hard thing to get used to, especially people that are only children. You are in a brand new environment, with new responsibilities, and brand new people. You have to learn their mannerisms, living style, humor, and a butt load of other things in order to try and get along with a complete stranger who will one day be your best friend. Here is a list of 5 things you can do to be a better roommate.
1. Don't eat their food
I see pictures all of the time that joke about them eating their roommate's food. Don't do this, because no one likes their food eaten. Imagine if you went out to your Mexican restaurant and brought home some delicious leftovers. You open the fridge the next day and it is gone, only to be eaten, and your day is ruined. Just don't eat their food and everyone will be happy!
2. Do your chores
In our apartment, one person is on trash, one person cooks, and the other does the dishes. We rotate weekly and we expect each other to do our chores so the apartment stays clean and tidy. If you and your roommates have an agreement that one person does A and the other does B, honor those agreements. It makes you a trustworthy person and will make the apartment or dorm nice and sparkly.
3. Don't be too loud
If you are a college kid and living with other people, you probably are living in a space that is a resemblance of a small closet or a shoe box. You will be very close with your roommates and if you aren't in the same room with them, they are in the next room. When you are playing your loud music at 3 A.M., someone's going to be upset. Have common courtesy. People around you could be (or are) sleeping, studying, on the phone, or just trying to relax. Don't be too loud! Everyone needs a little peace and quiet every now again, so respect that.
4. Take responsibility for other household things
No one is going to make a page long list of every chore in the house or who bought the bread last. If someone needs to pick up some paper towels, go get some! If someone needs to take the dog out before class, go for it. Your roommates will definitely appreciate it and you'll win some brownie points.
5. Don't be gross
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Don't be gross. No one wants bugs, smells, and nasty sights in their room or apartment. It's unhygienic and people don't want to live in a dump.
Going to college can be hard and scary but staying in a new dorm doesn't have to be. Using these tips and others you can find online, friends, and family, hopefully, you will be able to get through your semester and make a new best friend!