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 your college sends you a roommate questionnaire, answer the questions on it honestly, even if it's hard. If you're a neat freak, come clean about it.

2. Any communication you can have with your roommate before you move into your room is a good idea. If possible, meet for lunch or coffee in a place where you can begin to get to know each other; if not, there's always email and phone calls.

3. Put together a contract which covers things like quiet hours, guests, music (headphones?), overnight guests, room neatness (do you care?), borrowing, room decor, etc. The more understandings you can have going in, the better.

4. Keep in mind that your way is not the only way. It may not even be one of the ten best ways. Keep an open mind.

5. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Then, communicate some more. If you can talk to each other calmly, you'll be OK.

6. For the first month, don't say anything negative about your roommate to your friends or family. Allow yourselves some time to adjust to the new living situation you share.

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 that you must always be willing to meet your roommate halfway, and be willing to accept and consider his or her criticism of you.

Really bad roommates are like watchdog poodles...there may be a few of them, but not many. So, just follow the suggestions above and, in most instances, you should be just fine.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

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

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