For the average college freshman, one of the most terrifying parts of going away to college is having to live with a complete stranger for the better part of a year.
There's the awkward introduction, having to decide which part of the room you want and making sure your roommate agrees with that decision, and lastly, hoping that you'll be able to get along with your roommate long enough to survive the year. However, there is a certain type of student who gets too comfortable too quickly and rarely has any problems adjusting. These students also happen to be the worst kind of roommate. If you are that type of person, then these next few tips might actually help you learn to live with someone without unintentionally pissing off your roommate:
1. Open Communication
Find a way to communicate with your roommate before you move in so you can discuss things such as sharing appliances or bringing your own. It's never cool to just assume your roommate will let you use their stuff. And at 18, you're definitely old enough to know you're gonna need a fridge.2. If your roommate is cool enough to share their stuff with you, be respectful of their belongings.
Put things back where you found them instead of leaving them all over the room. Turn off the TV if you're not going to use it. Most importantly, ALWAYS ASK before you take anything. Just because your roommate has allowed you to use their things before does not automatically grant you permission to use their things all the time. Most likely it was a one time thing, so don't make assumptions and take advantage of your roommate's generosity.
3. If you're not going to replace it, DON'T USE IT.
This applies to everything from food to laundry detergent. You didn't help buy anything of theirs and as shocking as it may seem, not everyone has the luxury of having their parents buy everything for them. There are people who actually have to work to be able to buy their food. Also, if you have a meal plan and still eat up all of your roommate's food, just stop being lazy and walk your ass to the cafeteria.
4. The last tip I'm going to give you guys is to have consideration for your roommate.
You should do this regardless, but if your roommate is a clean person, try not to be a slob. One adult should not have to clean up after another perfectly capable adult. Keep your stuff off their bed, chair, desk, or any other surface that does not belong to you. There is a reason why you have your own bed. Lastly, if you know you have a paper due in the morning and you've pushed it off until the last possible minute, don't keep your roommate up with your frantic and desperate typing. Go to your common area or any other place where you can have the freedom to type as loudly and quickly as your body will allow you to. It is all about respect.
Hopefully this will help any incoming freshmen or upperclassmen to have a peaceful year with their roommates. Enjoy college; these four years will go by very fast ... unless your four become eight. (No Shade.)
