The most exciting and stressful part of college can be your roommates. They can be your best friend, a stranger or your worst enemy. You spend every day and night together (mostly), so it is a given that there will be drama and fun times had. Unfortunately, the drama sometimes causes the end of friendships and an extremely uncomfortable home to live in. I like to believe all of the roommate drama can be avoided if you simply discuss household rules and roles the first week you move in together so that, throughout the year, you do not find yourself resenting each other because So-and-so never takes the trash out and So-and-so lets the dishes stack up to the ceiling. So everyone who is about to take on this upcoming year of college, take my advice and go over a few things.
1. The trash
It seems like common sense that if one person takes out the trash one day, then someone else will take it out the next day. Nothing is common sense with college roommates. Nothing. You have to tell them.
2. The dishes
Again, you'd think this is common sense, but some people have had their parents doing their dishes their whole life and the idea that a magical fairy will come put the dishes in the dishwasher is easier for these people to think about than actually taking the 10 seconds to load the dishwasher. You'd be surprised how disgusting some of my previous roommates have been with dishes.
3. Buying things for the household
Make sure that you are not the only one buying trash bags, paper towels, napkins, dish soap, etc. They are paying the same amount of rent as you, so they can pick up as many groceries as you do. Do not sit on the couch and use everything and not contribute. No one likes a mooch.
4. Sharing food
If you don't want anyone eating your bag of Doritos in the middle of the night, tell them. Some people see a big pantry full of snacks and do not take the time to remember that they never bought those Doritos. This also goes for sharing in general. Do not take the sofa cushions and put them in your room because you are mad at your roommate. She cannot help that you bought the couch and then also decided to be immature. GROW UP.
5. Friends
Obviously you do not have to ask your roommate's permission to have friends over, but it is always nice to notify them. Just so they aren't half naked walking around the kitchen and a herd of boys comes through the door to see you. You know, since that kind of stuff can happen. Also, if one of your roommates cannot stand one of your friends, GO TO YOUR FRIEND'S APARTMENT. Do not make your roommate uncomfortable in his/her own home.
6. Respect
Everyone has different ideas of respect, but I think we can all agree that you do not wake a roommate up unless he/she is late for class or the house is on fire. Just because you are drunk and want someone to talk to does not give you the right to wake anyone up. You also do not make degrading or rude comments to your roommates because, hey, you have 10 more months on your lease sweetie.
7. Laundry
Do not leave your dirty clothes in the wash for three days. You have other people who have dirty clothes in the household, too. Be considerate and get your stuff out of the way or don't be surprised when your clothes get dried by someone else.
8. Be a normal human being
You have to live with these people for the next year, and if you cannot find it in you to take care of yourself, be respectful and do your end of the household work, then get the hell out for a lack of better words. Go back home where Mommy and Daddy will put up with that because here in college we grow up and have responsibilities.
If you can manage to do all of these things the correct way and not be the world's worst roommate, I promise your roommate won't hate you. Or at least they shouldn't.
