1. Don’t Go Into Your Rooming Situation With High Expectations

My one friend's piece of advice was this: "Don't set expectations from the beginning that you and your roommate will be best friends—let it work itself out naturally and maybe you will and maybe you won't and either way is okay."

Personally, I went into my freshman random rooming situation with zero expectations. I think I was more afraid that she would hate me immediately than I was expecting us to be friends. Both of us went into our room with the same mentality—no expectations—which allowed us to form a friendship more naturally. I've seen that my friends who either went in with high expectations or had a roommate with high expectations are the ones who were disappointed.

You have your whole life to find the perfect roommate, don't put pressure on one person to be your best friend. It's great if you end up being friends, and it's still alright if you aren't friends. Let whatever happens naturally happen.

2. Communicate

This advice is so important! My friend at school says, "Communicate! Things go so much better when you and your roommate are on the same page. If something bothers you, speak up! Avoid that uncomfortable tension." She's completely right. Everything is easier when you speak up—you don't want to be uncomfortable in your own room with someone you have to live with for a whole year.

I found it hardest to speak up about the first thing that bothers you. When you aren't sure how your roommate will react, it can be stressful. Therefore I would follow my friend's example: "[My roommate] and I had a long conversation one of the first nights where we told each other to be transparent with one another. There's no point in having a little thing that bothers you turn into something big because you don't talk to each other. We agreed that even if the smallest of things are annoying each other we tell each other and made our relationship more as friends than colleagues because agreeing to it kinda forced us to be close w each other."

3. Be Patient And Respectful

Nobody is perfect. Even if you have the perfect random roommate and you are going on your third year living together—looking at my roommate here—you will still come across rough patches or differences. It is so important to be kind in these parts because you will get through another day living together and you will get over whatever it is. If you are lucky enough to live with your best friend, remember my friend's advice: "Just be patient because living with someone can be hard no matter how much you love them." Whether you love them or hate them, patience is key.

Whatever differences you have, you have to respect your roommate. Not just differences in your ideas or how certain things are done, but with your actions as well. Here is the advice so many people responded with: "Don't have sex while your roommate is in the room!" Just don't do it! It will cause problems and it is very uncomfortable for your roommate. Respect your shared space and either ask them to leave or wait. Respecting the shared space is key in any rooming situation.