1. Have Personal Trash Barrels
It seems like an insignificant detail, but having two separate wastebaskets can make all the difference when living with someone you barely know. No one wants someone else’s granola bar wrappers, gross tissues, or used personal items on their side of the room. This will add a level of privacy and cleanliness that can’t otherwise be achieved.
2. Clean Up Your Own Mess
If you make a mess, clean it up. This is the easiest way to keep an overall organized and healthy room that doesn’t smell bad or look like a pigsty. You wouldn’t want them to leave the dirt and leaves they tracked in after a wild night left on the floor for you to stare at and be spiteful about, so don’t do it to them. Pick up the Goldfish, the laundry, and the empty cans, and the natural debris and expect them to do the same.
3. Be Courteous In The Morning
If you have an 8 a.m. class every day of the week and your roommate has some extra time to sleep than you, you have to respect that. Don’t smash your things around or aim lights towards their bed. This is rude and just plain annoying. You wouldn’t want them waking you up at the crack of dawn, so be gentle and quiet and don’t slam your books down on the desk thinking it’s going to be silent.
On the flipside, if you’re the roommate who gets to sleep until 11 a.m. everyday, don’t hate your bunky for waking up at 7 a.m. They probably didn’t choose that 8 a.m. and they probably hate it, too. So roll back over and let them get ready in peace.
4. Be Courteous At Night
Leave a light on if you are going to go to bed while your roommate is still out. Most rooms are equipped with two overhead lights, and so leave the one near the door on. If you don’t have this setup, then talk to them about getting a nightlight or a small lamp to share. Stumbling in at 3 a.m. is hard enough without having to find and climb into your bed in a pitch black room. Having one small light on will not disrupt your beauty sleep and will save stubbed toes and face plants.
5. Talk To Each Other
I know this is probably the most difficult thing on this list, but at least try to talk to your roomie. I mean, you do live with them, so you should at least be having small talk about classes and weekend plans. You don’t have to be best friends, but you shouldn’t be ignoring each other or building cardboard walls between the two halves of the room.
6. Sexiling -- It’s A Thing
It’s college. Sex happens. So, have a plan when you or your roomie needs the room for an hour or so. Talk about it before hand, so in the moment it’s not an awkward mess. A good plan is to always let them know when you will need space and always let them know as soon as they can come back. Don’t spend all night with your significant other while the other has to sit in the common room with a blanket.
7. Make It Clear What You’re Willing To Share
Decide early what you are willing and not willing to share. Whether it be your clothes, your fridge, or your coffee maker, or anything else, decide early. Make it clear, so it doesn’t get weird later when they want to borrow your favorite sweater or your $500 guitar.
8. Communicate
If you have a problem with your roommate, don't suffer in silence, tell them. Don’t be rude, but make sure you communicate any issues that arise, otherwise you’ll be suffering in silence and it’ll suck for everyone. It might be awkward, but that’s the price you pay. The awkwardness passes, the overwhelming scent of body odor, alcohol, and dirty laundry doesn’t.
9. Be Considerate With Your Decor
You have a lot of freedom when decorating, but never have decor that might make your roommate uncomfortable. This includes porno posters and creepy clown statues. You might be into that, but this person has to live with you, so you can hide your fetishes for a few months.
10. Remember You Can Move Out
If you and your roommate have serious problems and it is affecting either of you in a negative way, move out. You don't have to live with someone who doesn’t respect you. The room-switching process is not as annoying as living with such an inconvenience. If problems with your roommate cannot be solved, ask a Resident Advisor for advice on how to proceed.
