Eight Simple Rules for Getting Along with a College Roommate

Everyone has heard at least one "roommate from hell" story, but most students have little trouble living with their roommates if they are willing to follow eight very simple, time tested suggestions.

1. If you are asked to fill out a roommate questionnaire, be honest. That means being candid about yourself and what you expect from a roommate.

2. Reach out to your roommate asap. If possible, try to meet face to face. If not, at least email or call a few times. It can only help.

3. Even if the college you'll be attending does not require it, a roommate contract is generally a great idea. You and your roommate should discuss what issues are important to you (neatness, noise, guests, smoking in your room, borrowing each others things, etc.) and put together a written agreement.

4. Remember that even if your roommate has little in common with you, you can get along, and maybe become good friends if you are open, tolerant, and slow to judge.

5. As in all relationships, do all you can to encourage and maintain open communication, especially in times of disagreement. People willing to talk and listen seldom have ongoing problems living together.

6. Try not to complain to anyone about your roommate for at least three weeks. Give yourselves a fair chance to adapt to each other.

7. That doesn't mean you shouldn't frankly tell your roommate about behaviors that bother you. In fact, just the opposite is true.

8. Remember the art of compromise. If you adopt a "my way or the highway" attitude, you are probably the problem, not your roommate. And, if you can't do it now, learn to accept criticism without anger.

There are lots of stories about roommates who don't own a bar of soap or stagger into the room at 3:00 AM on Monday (the night before your Chemistry exam) and turn on all the lights. But, those folks are few and far between, so unless you are very unlucky, you have little to worry about if you follow the aforementioned guidelines.

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Daniel Z. Kane is a dean at a medium sized southern university. He has created educational websites on subjects which include scholarships, financial aid, online colleges, and degrees online.
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