The dreaded freshman year forced triple is a reality of so many college student lives. We all hear the horror-stories and see the triple best friends that never leave each other's sides-but most rooms fall somewhere in the middle. Roommates are like families; you’ll have things you love about them and things you hate so balance and compromise is the dependence of your happiness in your room. Here are some realities I’ve noticed living with my little family at school:

One more roommate means that much less space. If you thought you could bring enough stuff to never have to go shopping, enough food to feed you and an army, and a bunch of little trinkets to make it feel more ‘homey’ you are sadly mistaken. You’ve only got room for essentials in your little 12x14’ box with two other people so becoming a minimalist is in your best interest.

Your only privacy is the shower. The only guaranteed time you have to be really alone is the shower so even though you’re wearing shower shoes and all your shower stuff is sadly shoved into a little plastic container- you’ll grow an appreciation for your peaceful morning shower.

There’s always trash to be taken out. It may be yours or it may not be but there will always be a trash can somewhere in your room filled to the brim- air fresheners are highly recommended.

Always, always, always ask. You would want to be aware of anything going on in your room: people coming over, or if you can borrow a drying rack, put it in your group message and let a girl know! You want to let your roommates know what’s going on so they’ll let you know in return.

Be respectful. Treat your roommates like your children, if they need food, let them have one of your snacks, if they need sleep, shut the lights off and kick out your friends because if you take care of them, they’ll take care of you and life will be much happier for everyone.

Never, ever quiet. You’ll get used to the perpetual impending noise whether it’s from your room, the hallway, the street or the boys bathroom, headphones will become your new best friend.

Sharing is caring. If you share your stuff your roommates will most likely share theirs and that means twice as much food and twice as many clothes to choose from and who doesn't want that?

Always have someone to vent to and help you make decisions. Even if your roommates aren’t the first names to roll off your tongue when asked who your best friends are, they know every little detail of your life because they’re always there ready to listen to your venting- whether you mean to tell them or they just happen to hear your stressed out rants.

Be positive! You can’t change the triple situation, but you can change how you handle it, communicate with each other and try to look for the silver lining in your issues and you’ll be much happier in your room.

At the end of the day you have to treat them as your sisters, living together you’re gonna have a special bond that you won’t have with any of your other new friends at college. Their best friends become your friends, and your friends become theirs and your little college family grows thanks to them. Even when you’re screaming at each other you love them anyways because their your sisters at your home away from home- and you know it wouldn't be home without your roommates.