Roommate Rule Book

By Chase Pattison on November 5, 2011

When it comes to college roommates, we’ve all heard the horror stories: the slob whose molding heaps of dirty laundry are a hazard to your health, the partier whose late-night escapades and even later (loud) returns leave you sleep-deprived and cranky, the practically-engaged lover whose other half is more like the additional roommate you never signed up for.  While we laugh (and cringe) at many of these stories, we secretly pray our own experience will be better.  Most likely, it will be.  But whether your roommate is your new best friend or a real-life version of Gilmore Girls’ Paris Geller, living with someone else can be difficult.  Here are some ways to keep the peace:

Photo by Tulane Public Relations on flickr.comSleep

Do: Get ready quietly in the morning.  Set out your clothes and books the night before so you don’t have to make noise looking for them while your roommate is sleeping. Remember to turn off any lights when you leave the room.

Don’t:  Hit the snooze repeatedly or continually open and close the door.  Sleep is so precious in college.  Remember that next semester it could be you with the later class, so set a good example for your roomie!

Stuff

Do: Respect your roommate’s space.  Turns out you are the previously-described slob?  Make an effort to at least keep common areas clean.

Don’t: Take clothes, food, etc. without asking.  Even if you have set ground rules regarding sharing (which is definitely recommended), your roomie will appreciate the gesture – and won’t need to panic when her calculator has gone missing ten minutes before the Stats exam.

Visitors

Do: Discuss policies for having members of the opposite sex in the room.  Be specific! Talk about hours allowed, PDA, and with what you do and don’t feel comfortable.

Don’t: Spring overnight visitors on your roommate without prior warning.  Friends coming in from out of state? Great – just as long as your roomie knows that he or she will need to find somewhere else to study that night.

Living with another person is ultimately about respect.  Go ahead, print out this rule book.  Add to it, modify it, and make your own rules.  But highlight one rule above all:  the aptly named Golden Rule, which states to treat others the way you wish to be treated.  In all areas, strive toward this standard. Your roommate will thank you – and maybe even wash that laundry in return.  

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