5 Ways to Be a Great Roommate

Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences in college or, easily, one of the worst. Whether you’ve decided to room with a friend or a total stranger, the rules are still the same. If you want to have a good relationship with your roommate, it all starts with you.

Follow these five tips to avoid the common mistakes that turn good roommate relationships sour:\

1. Talk Things Out. You’ve heard it before: Communication is key. If something happens, sit down with your roommate and have a face-to-face conversation. I’ve seen roommate relationships fall apart because something happens and, instead of talking to each other, the two start complaining about their roommates behind their backs. This method creates nothing but awkward situations and general unhappiness.
2. Just Talk. Don’t reserve communication for when something’s wrong. Take the opportunity to talk and get to know your roommate.
3. Don’t Expect To Be Best Friends. Some roommates become the best of friends, and some don’t. Don’t put pressure on yourself or your roommate to reach this level, especially when you first meet. Remember, you’re trying to make a new friend, not scare your roommate away. And if your roommate doesn’t end up being your best friend, don’t worry about it. My first-year roommate and I didn’t end up becoming best friends, but we are friends — and I couldn’t have been happier with my roommate situation.
4. Clean Up After Yourself. Or, at least, keep your mess on your side. This should go without saying. Don’t be a slob. But, if that ship has sailed, just don’t bury your roommate in your clothes and garbage and you should be all right, for the most part. Most people I’ve encountered in college are messy. You don’t have all the time in the world to clean your room and keep it organized. But being considerate with where you put your stuff will help you avoid conflict.
5. Ask Before You Take. This applies to food, clothes, supplies and anything else that you don’t own. If you want to lose a friend, borrow everything without asking. If you want to keep the relationship going, show your roommate that you have respect for what is his or hers by asking first. Even if you both agree to share everything, you should still ask.
   

Try not to let your mess take over the room. 

The bottom line: If you want a good roommate, you have to be a good roommate.  Yes, there are exceptions. Sometimes being a good person and reaching out to your roommate simply aren’t enough. Sometimes you get stuck with someone who has tons of negative energy or just isn’t happy and doesn’t want any sort of relationship. But, whatever the case, the name of the game is respect. If you can’t give it, you definitely don’t deserve to get it.

BY HOPE OJE
(Hope Oje is majoring in Communication Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.)
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From Alive Campus. For more information and advice on college life, visit alivecampus.com.