How To Get Along With Your Roommate

Having a roommate can be difficult no matter what year in college you are, and just about everything has at least one bad experience. It's just part of college. Personally, my roommate freshman year was so hard to live with. She was sloppy, lazy, partied WAY too hard (I'm totally down for partying, but not when you're sick every night), and just plain unpleasant to be around. Luckily now my roommate is my best friend and we get along so well. We've had the last couple years to figure out how to keep the peace, so I've put together a few tips for having a drama-free year. 

1 | Set ground rules
Before even beginning your year together, it's important to set ground rules. This will prevent lots of drama from even happening in the first place. Set some rules about who cleans what and when, how messy you're willing to let your room get, and how often and when you're allowed to have guests stay over. Believe me, you might think these things are not a big deal at first, but they can quickly become a problem.

2 | Be flexible 

If you want to keep the peace you have to compromise. If your roomie does something little that bothers you, if it's not really a big deal then try to brush it off. For example, if she likes to stay up late on the computer while you're trying to sleep, invest in a cute sleep mask so the light doesn't bother you. Sometimes it's better to let little things go then to start a fight.

3 | Take time away from each other

Even if you love your roomie, it's always a good idea to take some time apart. It's super easy to get sick of someone where you spend every waking moment with them. Go to the gym after class, get dinner with another friend, or head to the library for a few hours. If you spend too much time together the little things can really start to bother you. Taking some time away will keep things going strong for you and your roomz. 

4 | Respect privacy and boundaries 

Even though you share the same room it's important for you and your roommate to have your privacy. If they are just getting out of the shower and going to change, leave the room for a few minutes. If you know they're having a personal conversation on the phone, give them some privacy. Yes, it is your room too, but eveyone likes a little privacy every once in awhile. It's all about respect.

I hope some of these tips help if you're getting a new roommate or even living with your best friend! Here's too a happy, drama-free year!

What are some of your tips for getting along with your roomie?