In college majority of kids live on campus with a roommate, some live at home, or some people live off campus in an apartment. Now depending on your housing situation before college some people have never had to share a room with someone. Now, this adjustment can be very hard for some people. Being a Freshman in college and almost at the end of my first semester I know some tips on how to be a considerate roommate.

Therefore, here are the seven tips on how to be a good roommate.

1. First tip is to make sure your side of the room is clean.

This is so important to prevent sickness, bugs, and just being organized. Studies show that people should wash their sheets every other week to get all that dirt and bacteria off the stuff you’re sleeping with at night. Some people recommend washing your pillowcase every three days. They say this because not only will it help with acne, but think about your face lays on your pillow for hours on end. Having your face lying in that dirt is not good for your skin. Also when living with someone it should just be a standard to clean your side of the room, like disinfect and vacuum, once a week. I just feel like it’s common courtesy to keep your side clean. Also not keeping it clean can cause bugs and a bad smell.

2. The next tip is to be considerate of the other person while sleeping or trying to go to bed.

Just because you have your side of the room and they have their side does not mean they can’t hear what is going on on your side. This is extremely rude and inconsiderate, especially when the person has to get up early for class. This in a way is just common sense I mean even if you’re up late you shouldn’t be loud and waking up the other person.

3. Another tip is to make sure you recognize what is yours and what is theirs.

If they bring something from home or y’all bought something to SHARE that means you share. Do not monopolize what is theirs or what you both bought. In general, if you’re using something that is theirs or something you both bought just keep in the back of your mind a mental note of how much you’re using those things. If you think you’re using it too much chances are, you are.

4. Another good tip to being a good roommate is being considerate that you’re in college people need to study.

Therefore, try to be considerate when you’re on the phone, listening to music, or when you have friends in the room. Think about it, would you want it to be loud in your room while you’re trying to study? Of course not, so just be considerate of people and their studying.

5. Another tip on how to be a good roommate is when it’s starting to get cold out, even if you need a fan on, keep your fan off.

Some people get cold easily or they get sick easily and that is something that can make people get more sick.

6. Another tip is when you go out on the weekends don’t make your roommate feel like they have to take care of you or “babysit” you.

This just will aggravate the person no matter how nice or caring they are. Nobody wants to babysit an adult so don’t put them in the position to.

7. The last tip I’m gonna say is don’t go through or take people’s personal belongings.

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but for those who even have thoughts of it don’t do it. You may think that they won’t notice if you just use their perfume or lotion, but trust me they will. This goes for food, clothes, and makeup/health products. No matter what they’ll notice and if it’s not yours don’t use it. It’s really that easy.