College-bound students often worry about having trouble living with a roommate. But, if you are willing to follow a few pretty basic rules, there's no need to be concerned.
1. When filling out your roommate questionnaire, pretend you're doing it under penalty of perjury. Be honest, even if it means admitting that you listen to Britney Spears or admire Paris Hilton's intellectual curiousity.
2. Get in touch with your roommate as soon as possible. Calls and emails are fine, but if geography allows, try to spend a few hours together to get to know each other.
3. Even if the college you'll be attending does not require it, a roommate contract is generally a great idea. You and your roommate should discuss what issues are important to you (neatness, noise, guests, smoking in your room, borrowing each others things, etc.) and put together a written agreement.
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 the art of compromise. If you adopt a "my way or the highway" attitude, you are probably the problem, not your roommate. And, if you can't do it now, learn to accept criticism without anger.
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.
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