Everyone always stresses over finding that perfect person to live with their first year, so here’s my list of the essential eight questions to find out if that new great friend, could be a new great roommate!

1. Are you neat or messy?

This question is on every list like this because it can become one of your biggest issues in your first year of college. You don’t want to be a neat and tidy person who can’t bring friends or dates over because of someone else’s mess, and on the flip side, you don’t want to feel bad if you’re not as neat and organized when the other side of the room looks like an IKEA set up.

2. How late do you usually stay up?

Depending on how well you or your roommate sleep, this question may become very important. If you’re a light sleeper, you probably don’t want someone up watching "Grey's" until 3 am, or storms into the room after a night of partying when you have an 8 am the next morning. Also, you probably don’t want to constantly wake your roommate up even when you’re trying your hardest to be quiet.

3. How often do you plan to be in the room?

I know this is a tough question to answer before you’re actually in college and know your routine, but if you’re a homebody you probably don’t want to room with another homebody. It’s great that you’ll spend time together if you’re friends, but at the same time, it is hard enough living in a dorm, let alone never feeling like you get some privacy and time to yourself, or to bring anyone over.

4. What do you plan on majoring in?

Rooming with someone of a similar major, taking similar classes is a godsend! Having someone who can help explain #10 on the homework, or really help you study for that exam next week will boost your GPA, and your mood.

5. Are you open to sharing clothes?

This question is important to know right off the bat. Personally, I love being able to swap clothes with my roommates and always making sure everyone looks absolutely adorable, but some people, and maybe this is you, aren’t as open to sharing clothes and need to set that boundary. I know several people who came back from class to see their roommate in something of theirs, that they didn’t ask to borrow. Rude!

6. Can you study in a distracting environment?

Whether it’s having friends over, the tv on, or music playing; understanding each other’s studying habits are essential to being good roommates for each other. After all, school is why you’re here!

7. Are you hot or cold natured?

I haven’t seen this question on very many lists for this, but it is so important! Luckily, I really enjoy being wrapped up in mounds of blankets when I’m cold because my freshman roommate was very hot natured and always wanted the room to be freezing. Avoid situations like this by rooming with someone who is more similar to your temperature nature.

8. How do you plan to decorate?

Some people might think this is minuscule, but to others how a room is decorated creates the vibe for the space and is essential to happy living. If you love big floral monograms and Lily Pulitzer prints, you probably don’t want to room with a minimalist who wants blank walls and neutral colors.

I'd like to end this by saying, no matter your answer to any of these questions, there is no wrong or right answer! This is just a way to find out if you're compatible with a possible roommate, and even if you don't think you could live with someone, doesn't mean you can't be great friends!