On getting along with your random roommate:
Don’t judge your roommate by their Facebook
It’s difficult to predict what a person is like from the number of their Facebook friends, the frecuency of their statuses, or the range of comments on their wall. If you can’t find them it’s probably because they go by their middle name. Maybe they left their Facebook open the night before and their friend changed all their information. You can’t confirm your roommate is “super weird” until you meet them face-to-face.
Do be open-minded
For probably the first time in your life, you will be living with people of different backgrounds in very close quarters. Do yourself a favor - be open to the possibility that someone from a different place could surprise you and become a friend, or a friendly face at least. I mean, do you really only want to be chill with people exactly the same as you? Boooriing.
Don’t expect to be best friends with them
It’s a lot to ask of yourself to become best buds with someone you were randomly paired with. Setting high expectations can lead to disappointment down the road. Be realistic that you may not fall madly in love with eachother. Hopefully you might share a laugh every couple of weeks. Maybe you’ll have some bedtime talk, too.
Do be courteous...
Whether friends or not, be courteous and you will maintain a healthy living situation. Clean up your messes. Don’t play loud music when your roomate is sleeping. If you have a significant other that you want to sleep beside, ask your roommate how they feel about a third person sleeping in their bedroom. Maybe go to your significant other’s bed some nights. Or sleep separately, because, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
...and expect courtesy in return
Hold your roommate to the same standard to which you hold yourself. When you first move in, have a conversation about what you expect of eachother. “Communication is key” says everyone, everywhere.
