The 5 Golden Rules for Being a Good Roommate

By Ian Donnelly

The college experience is full of firsts: your first night out without a curfew, your first all-night study session, and for many students, it’s their first time living with someone other than family. The idea of sharing your personal space with roommates can be intimidating, and there are plenty of articles, how-to guides, and blog posts out that that are full of tactics to aid you in this living transition. But if you are seeking clear-cut, no-frills fundamentals, uCribs has you covered. Here are the 5 Golden Rules for Being a Good Roommate.

Set your Ground Rules Right from the Get-Go

This one is essential. Both you and your roommate deserve to know all the pet-peeves that could cause any bad vibes in your new, humble abode. Whether you’re a neat-freak or have a deep-rooted fear of taking a bath (it’s a real thing, just google ablutophobia), laying out your own personal deal-breakers will help keep the peace at your place.

Clean Up After Yourself

No matter how terrifying cleanliness may seem (seriously, google ablutophobia), you need to take care of your personal space if you’re going to share it with roommates. This rule isn’t too tough to manage once you make cleanliness a habit. The more you wash your dishes after you use them, the more it will feel like a part of your regular routine. The same goes for taking out the trash or doing your laundry—set aside time each week to take care of it, and stick to your schedule.

Respect Your Roommate’s Schedule

You may be a night-owl with an all-afternoon class schedule who has no problem studying with music blaring, but that doesn’t mean your roommate is the same way. Make sure you both know each other’s schedules and talk about what each of you need, whether it’s some peace and quiet for studying or some time to unwind and have company over. The best way to keep things comfy at home is to be respectful of your roommate’s daily routine and communicate your needs effectively and maturely.

Don’t Act Like You Own the Place

When you live with a roommate, the place is as much theirs as it is yours. Before making big decisions like hosting a party, getting a pet, or moving around the furniture, your roomie deserves to have a say in the matter. Make sure you keep them in the loop on any of your grand ideas and, if necessary, find a compromise that suits both of your needs.

Talk It Out

Communication is the be-all and end-all of roommate etiquette. If you don’t relay gripes, grievances, or goings-on, you can’t expect problems to magically resolve themselves. Sure, you’re adults, but you aren’t mind readers—if something needs to be said, just say it. Withholding any sort of information from one another will only make things worse in the long run, and no one wants to live in a passive-aggressive atmosphere.

And there you have it—the golden rules for living with roommates. While these suggestions may not sound like eye-opening epiphanies, they are all essential components of a civil, comfortable, and happy household. As long as you stick with this handful of fundamentals, your roommate worries will be a thing of the past—or better yet, never a worry at all!

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