Please don’t forget your headphones!

Moving into college can be daunting in many ways, but one of the most scary things can be living with a roommate. Whether you were assigned randomly or chose who you’re going to be with, chances are that you have little experience sharing your personal space with another human being.

Firstly, the roommate agreement you begrudgingly fill out is actually an incredibly useful tool. Deciding rules about having guests over or which items are shared may seem like small things, but will actually have a big effect on your everyday life, so take it seriously and set those ground rules!

Here are some other pointers to help you get started!

  1. Don’t be too loud.

Blasting TikTok right when you get up at 8 am might seem fun, but for your hungover or sleep-deprived roommate, it won’t be. Always charge your AirPods and be respectful of the volume. 

  1. Don’t make your boyfriend or girlfriend your third roommate. 

We’re all soooo happy for you, but please remember that your roommate needs to feel like this is their space, too. Don’t hog the room or kick them out (at least not too much).

  1. Turn your alarms OFF.

Nothing is worse than someone who sleeps through their seventh alarm. The blaring noise is so aggravating. If you’re someone who goes into a coma every night, consider one of those shock bracelets or something. 

  1. Clean up your shit.

Truly nothing can prepare you for how gross college kids can be (take a look at the saga of the Brooks Hall shitter, for example). I don’t even think of myself as a neat freak, but seeing how nasty some people choose to live has been eye opening.

Please for the love of God do not let trash pile up in your room. Wash your sheets, throw out that week-old takeout from your fridge, and vacuum. 

  1. It’s okay not to be BFFs.

A lot of people show up expecting to have a built-in best friend, but a lot of the time it doesn’t work out that way. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—sometimes you just don’t click the way you thought you would. Plus, not being too close with your roommate can sometimes be better, allowing you the space you need to decompress without constantly having to be social. Don’t put too much pressure on this relationship!

  1. Communicate!

Nothing will make you frustrated with your living situation faster than doing nothing about it. If something your roommate is doing is bothering you, bring it up to them sooner rather than later. They may not even be aware that it is a problem otherwise!

Overall, don’t be afraid. Chances are that you and your future roommate are reasonable people who can work out a comfortable living situation. But if all else fails, you can always try for a single next year. Good luck!

Image via Bwog Archives