How to Live With Your College Roommate

By eHow Education Editor

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A roommate can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Be considerate.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Cordless Phones With Answering Machines
  • Corkboard
  • Dry Erase Boards
  • Phone Message Pads

Step1
Get in touch with your roommate before school starts, if you don't already know him or her, and decide who should bring what. Make an effort to accommodate your roommate's needs.
Step2
Remember that looks can be deceiving, so avoid making snap decisions the first time you see your roommate.
Step3
Determine how you each want the room to look and come to agreements that meet both your needs.
Step4
Discuss housecleaning and bill-paying before they become problematic issues.
Step5
Come to a reasonable agreement about visiting boyfriends or girlfriends, including arrival and departure times.
Step6
Set up schedules for kitchen use, study times, bathroom times and party nights.
Step7
Determine what belongs to you and what belongs to your roommate. Check before helping yourself to his or her groceries, clothing, CDs or toiletries.
Step8
Keep things that happen in the room confidential.
Step9
Be patient with your roommate's choice of music, clothes, food and friends.
Step10
Respect your roommate's family.

Tips & Warnings

  • Friendships rarely happen instantly. Give them time to grow.
  • Consult your resident advisor if you find yourself in an unlivable situation. He or she can try to find you a new roommate.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 I told my roommate when I was a freshman in college that she wasn't allowed to touch my stuff, especially not my computer and clothes. First semester was alright, but then my clothes got dirty when I hadn't worn them, a lot of possessions went missing, she used my computer and got so many viruses on it that it became unusable. Worse though, was that the RA of the dorm we lived in was her best friend and sided with her in every argument that we had without hearing my side of the story! If this happens, definitely go to someone else with your concerns.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 There is no way you can live with someone you don't trust. It doesn't matter if you're sharing a room or a house. If you don't trust your roommate (ie: you have to lock your door, hide money, etc) you shouldn't be living with them. Request a roommate change or move out. I lived in the res halls with the same roommate for two years and never had a major problem. I would leave money out on my desk and it never disappeared. Currently I live with 3 girls in a house and I never lock my door or am worried about things missing or them going through my stuff. As soon as trust is an issue, everything else will be too.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 When I was a freshman I was told there was no more room in the dorms, so me and 4 other girls got a two-room suite with a bathroom. Sounds great- huh? not so much- they all like to talk tough and since I had purple hair I was labeled as a freak. After two weeks of coming home to my room with my food being eaten or my clothes worn, I requested a change and moved out. Luckily, we all knew we didn't want to be roommates, and I moved in with a girl across the hall. All those girls failed out, and I had a great roommate for the following 3 years. My tip is: it will get better, and stay calm, hide your valuables, stay friends with the RAs, or better yet, become one yourself...you get your own room! I became one, and ended up getting the Teamwork Award my last year!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 12/28/2005 If you are not getting along with your roommate try to remember (in most cases) there are going to be far worse roommates out there. I had a roommate who would take my car keys and drive to who knows where every weekend. I told her to stop and it didn't until one time I reported the car stolen; that stopped that. But remember, it probably isn't as bad as it could be!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Don't be a wuss about things. I made this mistake, and I'm still paying for it. Since I didn't stand up for myself and let my roomie know it bothered me, more nights than not I end up sleeping very little due to her drunken behavior.

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eHow Article:  How to Live With Your College Roommate

eHow Education Editor

eHow Education Editor

Category: Education

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