Sharing a room with someone for the first time is inevitably going to have its ups and downs. Some people barely speak to their roommates and some are attached at the hip. No matter how much research and talking you do ahead of time, no one really knows how their roommate situation is going to play out. Everyone has their own roommate experience, but this one just happens to be mine and maybe it was yours too:

1. The Awkward Stage

When you first move into the tiny box colleges call a "dorm room," living with someone is going to be awkward. You’ll have to figure out your sleeping schedules, whether your roommate prefers sleeping with lights on or in complete darkness. You’ll have to make small talk, and we all know how absolutely terrible that is. But no matter how many compromises you might have to make, the awkward stage inevitably passes.

2. The Learning Stage

This stage will probably happen a month or so into the school year. You’ve gotten past the introductions and basic information about your roommate and then comes the little stuff. If your roommate is messy. If they wake up at nine am or can sleep until two. If they are health freaks and keep your fridge stocked with veggies or if you’ll come home every night to an empty pizza box. This stage is filled with learning the little things about them that no one but their roommate needs to know.

3. The Budding Friendship Stage

You’re living together, but still aren't sure how close you are. You keep your side of the room super clean even when you have a million other things to do. You hesitate before asking if you can borrow the super cute crop top they wore last weekend. You refrain from making any comments that might instigate a disagreement. The Budding Friendship Stage happens with all friendships, but with a roommate, it happens a bit faster.

4. The Close Stage

At this point, you’re beyond being budding friends, and now do everything together. You no longer keep your side of the room spotless. You no longer hesitate asking to borrow clothes but instead just go into their closet and take whatever you want. You’re no longer “just roommates”; you’re now close friends.

5. The Too Close For Comfort Stage

You no longer have two separate closets, but one big conjoined one. You don't even attempt to keep your side of the room clean anymore because you know your roommate’s side will be just as dirty. You share everything- food, toiletries, shoes. My roommate and I have gone far enough to share a single stick of deodorant between the two of us. Gross, I know, but when you run out of deodorant you have to make compromises. This stage is when your roommate becomes your best friend.

Adjusting to college is undoubtedly difficult and adjusting to living with someone might be even harder. But if you do it right, you might be lucky like me and end up with a roommate and a best friend in one.