How to be a good roommate

I'm a freshman in college and like many college students, I got to experience having a roommate. I was hoping to have a good roommate experience. Did that happen? Nope. Let me just say that I'm wondering how anyone could put me and my roommate together from our compatibility sheets, we couldn't be more different. I know that things could be worse though, two of my friends also have bad roommates (my one friend is actually on her second). I decided to make this list on how to be a good roommate for all of you future college students so you can hopefully have a better time than I am.

Don’t be a bitch
Do not take phone calls in your room in the middle of the night when your roommate is asleep
Try to split room purchases (things like cleaning products, toilet paper, and soap if you have a bathroom for example) evenly
If you have a problem with a roommate, speak to them instead of just bashing them to your friends/the internet (this is the one I have the biggest issue following)
If you have a bathroom in your room, it’s nice to ask your roommate before you shower especially if you know they have class soon
It’s nice to ask before you invite someone to the room, especially if it’s someone they don’t know
Make a list of room rules in the beginning so that you two know how things are going to be
Maybe this is just me but if your roommate is in the room and has headphones on and you’re listening to music on your laptop, it’s still polite for you to wear headphones as well, especially if you’re going to have it on loud enough for your roommate to hear it
If your roommate is asleep, no matter what time, it’s polite to leave main lights off
Don’t hide the remote if you think your roommate is watching the TV too much even if you’re the one who brought it
If you are alone in your room with your music playing and your roommate comes in, it's polite to put headphones on (this might just be me)
You are in college, you are an adult. Act like it

If you've had a bad dorming experience, do you have any advice to add? Soon, I'll put up what I learned my first semester at college, I'm helping you out future students. You're welcome!
December 19th, 2011 at 04:47am