9 Roommate Dos and Dont's

College roommates. You can learn to love them or maybe just coexist.

Sometimes, you and your roommate become best friends, and that’s great! If not, no worries. You can still live in harmony.

Since navigating life with roommates can be tricky, we’ve compiled a list of Dos & Don’ts to help you. Consider this your personal roommate survival guide!

1. Don’t eat their food without permission.

Unless you have an agreement to share food, don’t steal your roommate’s food. Trust us, it’ll make for an awkward conversation later when your roommate confronts you about their missing Oreos. If you get a serious case of the munchies while cranking out that Great Books paper, go to the Caf or POD Market and get a few sweet treats. It’ll make your roommate’s Oreos less tempting.

2. Don’t be ridiculously messy.

Establish a realistic cleaning schedule from the get-go. These expectations will probably look different for everyone, but it’s important to find out what works for you and your roommate(s). This will help you avoid any unnecessary #drama.

3. Don’t invite your O-Group over all the time.

Everyone loves a social butterfly, but it can get old having people in your room 24/7. So, if you’re thinking about inviting people over for an impromptu O-Group party, make sure to give your roommate a heads-up!

4. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

By the end of the year, you’ll get to know your roommate(s) really well. It comes with the whole living together thing. Although it’s easy to get annoyed by trivial things, try not to make a mountain out of a mole hill. When your roommate forgets that it’s their turn take out the trash, take a deep breath and realize that it’s not the end of the world.

5. Don’t forget to return any items you’ve borrowed.

It’s been over a month since you’ve seen your copy of The Whisper of the River, and you know it’s somewhere in your roommate’s desk drawer. You have every right to be a little irked, but just remind your roommate to give it back. If you’re the one guilty of hoarding all of your roommate’s belongings, try to remember to give back their stuff as soon as you’re done using it!

6. Do discuss daily routines.

Are you a night owl or an early riser? Do you prefer to avoid human contact until after your 8 a.m. UNV 101 class, or are you ready to start the day at the crack of dawn? Your daily schedule is important to establish right from the beginning, too. If your roommate hates early mornings, it may not be a great idea to create a ruckus while getting ready. If you like to stay up all night finishing homework assignments, hang out in your residence hall’s common room or in the 24-hour study room in the library.

7. Do communicate.

If you’re not necessarily the warm-and-fuzzy type, that’s OK! But if something’s bothering you, talk about it. The longer you leave a situation unresolved, the more likely your feelings of frustration will continue to grow. It’s better to confront issues in a tactful and gracious manner than to let your emotions fester.

8. Do agree on who is bringing what before Opening Day.

Before Opening Day, create a list of items that you and your roommate will need, and split up who’s going to bring what. It’ll make for a smoother Opening Day experience! Don’t worry about moving in your belongings all by yourself; we’ll have the Mercer Movers ready to help you pivot those big items up the stairs.

9. Do explore campus together!

No clue where Langdale Hall is? Take your roommate around campus and figure out where all of your classes will be. It’ll make for a great bonding opportunity, and you’ll be thankful you did on the first day of class!