<p>I keep hearing that you need to set some ground rules for your roomate from the beginning. Can you guys give me some examples of rules that have worked for you? Thanks!</p>
<p>Not having sex while you are in the room ;)</p>
<p>Not taking your stuff without asking, quieting down when you need to study, etc.</p>
<p>most colleges are pretty good about having students discuss this at the start of the year. And you can find lots of tips if you do a google search, such as <a href="http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,21-8205,00.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,21-8205,00.html</a></p>
<p>So we should discuss:</p>
<p>*borrowing things
*sexiling rules
*sleeping habits and hours
*noise/music
*guests</p>
<p>Anything else?</p>
<p>cleaning responsibilities
taking phone messages for the other person if you have a landline</p>
<p>oh yeah, and the phone bill</p>
<p>Maybe we were just really lucky, but those things all seemed to work themselves out. I think that if you go into it with an attitude of mutual respect and, ideally, love, you'll be all set. And don't let stupid stuff build up. If you yell at your roomie when you're sleepy, just write a quick little love you note the next day. :-) (This applies more if you're a girl). Also, overlook the small things. So what if you roomie used your lotion? It's not worth getting worked up over. Remember you're friends, life's good.</p>
<p>Cool first post random ;) Thanks for the tips.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree. Instead of addressing rules at first site -- somewhat austere and unfriendly? -- I think we should let most of it fall into place.</p>
<p>Funny...My next question was going to be was exactly how do I break this kind of news without sounding like an uptight....yeah.</p>
<p>I think it could come up naturally. For example, I tend to be a bit disorganized. Ok, really really messy--so, if I toss my jacket on the floor when my new roommate was there, I would ask if it bothers her to leave stuff lying around, and we would probably figure out each others opinions on stuff like that. I wouldn't want to meet my roomie for the first time and start out with us making rules at each other "you can't have sex" "don't make messes" "no noise past midnight" "no guests when I'm studying" "no crappy music" "don't mess with my stuff" See, it doesn't seem very friendly, and I would think starting out friendly would be important. I would say basically just have respect for each other.</p>
<p>Great post Cynthia! I would make sure to ask the occasional "Does this bother you?" or the best thing is to just observe. You can learn a lot by noticing the habits of your roomie. If you notice they go to bed at 10PM the first week or so, chances are that is their habit and you can plan accordingly. Bonds are built by respect and listening among other things. Hope that helps. :)</p>
<p>how many people actually liked their room mates and got along well. and how many of you guys stayed friends with your freshman room mates?</p>
<p>My roommate and I are not friends, but our living habits matched really well (neat, quiet) so we'll room together next year too.</p>
<p>Some schools actually require freshmen to fill out roommate agreements during the first few weeks of classes. I had no problems with my roommate because we took it seriously and were honest about what we wanted and didn't want. Some of my friends weren't too concerned about it, and they ended up regretting it. So if they don't make you fill out an agreement, don't push it, but if the school requires one, it's a good excuse to get some opinions out in the open.</p>
<p>just adress the problems as they come up...for example....when my roomie wouldn't take out the trash at all...i was just like..."hey dude do you mind takin out the trash tomorrow or somethin?"...and he was fine with it...and i think he got the point right off....usually getting along isn't that bad unless you get stuck with a prick</p>
<p>I told everyone else to never come into my room. Having a single, this worked out well for me.</p>
<p>My roommate and I are friends but our living styles did not match all that well. It was great during the year and I hope we'll remain friends, but we're not living together next year.</p>
<p>yea we had to do roommate agreements at the beginning of the year.</p>
<p>If you go with the general "don't be an assh0le", you should basically be ok.</p>
<p>Profanity!</p>