It's that time of year again for college students! Time to pick where you'll be living and who you'll be living with. To avoid picking a roommate that isn't for you, here is a list of things to think about when picking a roommate. Many of these will seem like no-brainers, but they are very important to finding a roommate you'll enjoy living with!
1. What is their bedtime?
It is best to room with someone that shares a similar bedtime, no matter what that time is. There is nothing worse than trying to get some sleep while your roommate is up late and making noise. The same rule applies to what time they get up.
2. Do they keep things messy or clean?
Even if you're not the cleanliest person, it's awful to get stuck with a slob. Unless you love to clean and your roommate doesn't mind you touching their stuff. Establish ground rules for cleaning and chores so you don't end up living in a dump!
3. Are they too loud?
Do they listen to music without headphones? Do they watch TV with the volume turned up? Are they noisy when you're trying to study or sleep? If you are not okay with any of this, make sure you ask about it! See if they mind using headphones or turning things down when you need some quiet. If they aren't willing to be accommodating and you know you need some peace and quiet from time to time, find someone else!
4. How much will you share?
Will you split groceries? Can they borrow your stuff? Will you share your clothes, your movies/games, cleaning supplies, etc.? Make sure you know what you're comfortable sharing with them and vice versa.
5. How well do you really know them?
I don't want to discourage anyone from going in blind, but if you are very particular about how you want things to be, it's better to know the person, least you become enemies! Some people warn that picking a friend to room with is the best way to ruin a friendship, but I don't believe that's true! Usually, if you get along with a friend very well and know their true personalities, there is nothing to worry about. However, if you think it might actually ruin your friendship, be honest with your friend.
6. How do you handle conflict?
If you aren't too keen on dealing with conflicts, try to stop them before they happen. As mentioned before, set some rules! Make a chore chart, create a roommate agreement, talk things out with the person you'd like to room with. Just be prepared for disagreements because they're bound to happen.
7. How often will they be in the room?
How often will your roommate actually be in the room? How often will they bring friends or significant others into the room? Are they big partiers? Make sure you know how the room will be used and how social your potential roommate will be. If you enjoy alone time in your own room you'll want to know if your roommate feels the same.
8. What kind of relationship do you want?
Are you looking for a best friend forever or just someone to split the costs? Make sure you ask your potential roommate the same question. Not everyone wants to be best buddies.
9. Are they cold or hot blooded?
The temperature in the room is an important issue! If you are always hot or always cold, make sure your roommate has similar preferences. It can be hard to compromise on the temperature, so make sure you talk about it!
10. What are your comfort levels?
How comfortable are you with sharing your feelings? Trying to make someone feel better? Not only that, but how comfortable are you with certain traits you may find in a roommate? Some people don't care if others see them in the nude or use the bathroom while you're getting ready. Once again, talk these things out with your potential roommate. It's better to be prepared than not.
The more you talk to a potential roommate the more you'll learn about yourself and others. Don't be afraid to talk things out! The more personal the better!
