ROOMMATE ETIQUITTE 101

Some people have never shared a bedroom or bathroom. Many bedrooms are littered with stuff and wall to wall clothes. If you have shared a room with a sibling, no doubt they have become tolerant over time of annoying habits, lack of attention to order or cleanliness simply because you are relatives. Living in a dorm room and sharing common space with a roommate will be an adjustment. The key is to be respectful and treat your roommate as you would like to be treated. Here are some things to consider:

• Divide all space fairly
• Check out preferences or flip a coin before assigning space
• Discuss each others sleep patterns
• Review personal study habits and preferences for studying in the room
• Agree upon noise levels while studying in the room
• Discuss noise curfews for stereos, televisions, radios and computers in the room
• Do not assume that you can entertain guests
• Decide upon guest visiting rules
• Do not assume that you can use or borrow your roommate’s stuff
• Ask first before using or borrowing anything
• Think carefully before loaning stuff, it could be lost or damaged
• Agree upon general expectations for room neatness
• Do not invade your roommate’s space with your stuff
• Keep shared areas neat
• Pick up dirty clothes
• Decorate your side of the room tastefully and avoid offensive material
• Look out for each other
• Enjoy this new friendship!!