Starting college is exciting… until you realize you’re living with someone you just met 😅
Don’t worry — roommate issues are normal, and most of them are totally avoidable with the right tools.
This guide will help you:
✔ Start off on the right foot
✔ Avoid awkward tension
✔ Handle conflict maturely
✔ Actually enjoy sharing a space
✔ Build a friendship (or at least peaceful co-existence)
Whether you’re moving in with a best friend or a total stranger, this guide is your roommate roadmap.
The biggest mistake freshman make? Avoiding real conversations.
Don’t wait until something becomes annoying.
10 ESSENTIAL Questions on Roommate Preferences & Rules (friendly convo, nothing set in stone)
Are you an early bird or night owl? What are your preferred sleep times?
What absolute quiet hours you need? At what time of day? How many hours each day?
What are your temperature/fan preferences? Do you prefer a warm or cold living space?
What are your study habits: desk vs bed, music vs silence, in dorm or outside of dorm (lounge, library)?
How do you feel about guests in the room? How often? Overnights? Is notice required?
What are your cleaning standards? What chores will align with these standards?
What will be our borrowing rules? Clothes, makeup, chargers?
What will be our food rules: labels, share some, or totally separate?
What to use for room fragrance? Specific scents or preferences? Any sensitivities or allergies?
What stresses you out in a shared space?
✨ Tip: Frame it as “so we can be good roommates,” not “rules.”
Would You Rather (Roommate Edition)
Study in silence or with music?
Lights off early or late nights?
Clean as you go or weekly cleanups?
Room always cold or always warm?
Campus Activities
Campus Course Walk-Through: Turn your class schedule into a mini adventure — walk campus together, find every building, lecture hall, and shortcut. This is a great way to prepare for the first day of classes and learn your way around campus while spending quality time with your roommate!
Campus Landmarks Tour: Take a loop around campus to explore the iconic spots — the stadium, dining halls, gyms, library, and the prettiest spots for pics.
PART 2: SETTING BOUNDARIES (Without Being Awkward) 🏠
This doesn’t have to be formal — just clear.
Agree on:
Quiet hours
Guests & overnight visitors
Cleaning responsibilities
Borrowing clothes/makeup
Sharing food vs. personal food
📌 Tip: Write it down in your notes app so you can reference it later!
Nothing ruins vibes faster than mess resentment.
Try one of these systems:
Weekly reset day (10–15 minutes)
Zone system (each person owns a space)
Chore rotation (trash, surfaces, floor)
Helpful items:
Pink Cordless Vacuum: trust me, this one has it all
Swiffer Power Mop: compact, quick & easy
Disinfecting wipes
Sleep differences are the #1 roommate conflict.
Compromises that work:
Headphones instead of speakers
Desk lamp instead of overhead lights
Sleep mask or white noise machine
Agreed-upon “lights out” window
✨ Reminder: College is exhausting — protect each other’s rest.
Set expectations early:
Can friends hang in the room?
Are phone calls okay at night?
Is FaceTiming at midnight a no?
Boundaries ≠ rude
Boundaries = respectful
If something bothers you:
Don’t gossip
Don’t passive-aggressively clean
Don’t post TikToks shading your roommate 😭
Instead, say: “Hey, I just wanted to talk about something so it doesn’t become a bigger thing.”
Communication can solve 99% of roommate disagreements if brought up early and politely.
Pro Tip: Use “I feel” statements instead of blame.
Try:
1. Re-communicating calmly
2. Adjusting the agreement
3. Involving your RA early (this is literally their job)
Getting help is not failing — it’s being smart. RAs deal with roommate conflict all the time, get a second perspective on how to best handle the situation from their POV!
Friendship builds naturally through:
Target runs
Dining hall meals
Walking to class
Late-night snack trips
Watching shows in bed
You don’t need to be best friends — just kind and supportive.
Freshman year can be overwhelming.
Be the roommate who:
Checks in
Celebrates wins
Respects bad days
Makes the room feel safe
That energy always comes back to you.
Some roommates:
Are better as acquaintances
Are just very different
Aren’t meant to be close friends
That’s okay. Peace > forced friendship.
If needed:
Talk to housing
Explore room changes
Prioritize your mental health
Your roommate relationship does not define your college experience — but a healthy one makes everything easier.
Be:
✔ Kind
✔ Honest
✔ Respectful
✔ Open-minded
And remember: everyone is figuring it out, just like you.
Save this guide. Share it with your roommate. Re-read it when things feel off. You’ve got this 🤍
Want to make dorm shopping easier? Start with the most-clicked dorm resources by our readers: