How to get along with your roommate...even if you are strangers.
The key to a good relationship with your roommate begins with communication. As roommates, you will be sharing a room for about 10 months. In any situation where you spend a lot of time with someone, conflicts arise.
First––be fair. Make sure that you don't take up all the space for your personal belongings, even if you move in first. Each roommate should have room for personal effects to make the room seem more like home.
One of the hardest adjustments in sharing a room is noise – especially if you are used to your own space. Talk about it!
As much as you are entitled to have your friends visit, each roommate deserves privacy. So, arrange to have guests over in advance. Don´t expect your roommate to move down to the study lounge every time your significant other visits. If your roommate is studying or sleeping, don't invite all your friends to hang out, play cards, or watch the game. (Go to someone else´s room!)
Keeping the room clean is always an issue; and for those students living in suites, there's the bathroom to clean. It's important that you talk with your roommates and suitemates and come to some agreements on cleaning, and even schedule out cleaning, if possible.
Be prepared to accept the unique aspects of your roommate. Everyone has an individual style and personality.
Be considerate of your roommate.
If needed, created a roommate agreement. Be specific, and then both roommates need to sign it. The agreement/contract should be available, in case a disagreement ever happens.
Remember, you don´t have to be best friends to be good roommates. Sometimes it is actually easier to live with someone when you spend a lot of your time with other people. That is one reason to consider not rooming with a close friend from home.
If you find things can't seem to be worked out, seek assistance from your Resident Assistant or your Community Assistant.