Topics to Discuss with Your College Roommate

Having a roommate for the first time in college can be a scary and exciting thought for many incoming freshmen. For some, the very idea is filled with dreadful anticipation and anxiety. For others, the thought is actually very thrilling and exciting. For all, however, the idea is mostly just another adventure into the unknown realms of university living. For anyone who has just received their future roommate's phone number or email address and is simply unsure of whatever to discuss with their roommate, here is a list of ideas. In general, it is always a good idea to lay our a few "rules" or expectations that one roommate may have for the other before being thrown together in an actual living situation. Once you are living on campus and dealing with the hurriedness of orientation and registration activities, you may not get the time to discuss these details before you run into a problem; it is best to discuss these potential issues before actually living in the same room.

1) Sharing food: Some people are fine with other people eating food that they have purchased while others may hate this. Make sure that you talk it over with your roommate, as it's almost guaranteed that both of you will have a supply of food in your room at any given time during the school year that the other may feel a desire to eat out of. In general, it is always a good idea to say that you should both keep your food stashes separated; once you actually get to know your roommate and his or her eating habits a little better, then you may want to re-discuss this issue.

2) Music: Some people can study well with music playing but others cannot focus at all. Make sure that both you and your roommate know what your study habits are so that this does not become a problem. Often students become too shy to let a roommate know if they have a problem with music while studying and they suffer academically because of this; don't let this become you and your roommate.

3) Cleaning: Let your roommate know how often you plan on vacuuming the room or dusting. Ask your future roommate how often they clean at their own house and what their personal preferences on this matter are. Some roommates will tell you that they don't care about vacuuming unless absolutely necessary; others will want to trade off the duty with you weekly. Talk with your roommate on the matter and find a good compromise between you two.

4) Shared items: There may be some items that you will only need one roommate to bring along. Such items include a room telephone (if you plan on having one), a vacuum cleaner, an ironing board, decorations for the door, curtains for a window, or a floor lamp. Talk with your future roommate about what you will be bringing yourself, and see if he or she is planning on bringing any of the other items. While some roommates try to split the cost of items, this may not be the greatest idea; if you and your roommate do not get along, then you are stuck with deciding who gets to keep the shared items.

5) Social preferences: Your roommate may like to have lots of different friends visiting the room at all hours, or they may wish to keep the door closed at all times. Talk with your roommate about how you feel about having friends over and find a good way to compromise between your roommate's desires and your own.

Just by discussing these items with your future roommate before you arrive on campus will help your relationship start off on a positive note. You will know what to expect of your roommate, and they will know what to expect out of you.