It’s that time of year when University students finally come to a decision of their housing situation for next year. Whether you are living on campus or off campus, choosing a place to live and whom you want to live with may become a complicated process. As a transfer student, I live off campus and went through the process of looking for housing within three weeks before the start of the school year. It is important to consider your needs once you are allowed to move on from a small cubicle you have been forced to share with another person. Besides getting the place you want to live, there are many things one should consider when choosing whom to live with.

As college students, we have all been through the ups and downs of having a roommate. In order to keep sane, the decision of who you want to spend almost a year (or more) of living together with is crucial. 

After having experienced about eight roommates through high school and half of college, here are some guidelines and tips I think are very important. 

If you have the slightest worries that living with your closest friend may ruin your friendship, don’t do it. Because we all treasure our friendships with our best friends, it may be hard to realize that living together may deter your relationship. Therefore, if you have the slightest doubt about surviving through a whole school year without ruining your friendship, don’t do it. As best friends, it is important to discuss your daily routines before making the final decision. If you are capable of living with the other half of your dynamic duo, as I was, I can guarantee it may be the best experience of your life. 

Be sure to feel comfortable with whom you are living. It is very important to feel comfortable in your own living space. Make sure to talk about your needs and maybe set up a few rules or make things even more official by creating a roommate contract. 

Respect each other’s space and communicate. This may be one of the most important tips I can give. Once you decide to live with someone, you must respect each other in your shared spaces. If not, you may end up dreading your living situation every day. This is why it can be extremely beneficial to communicate about everything, that way you both are on the same page.

When your roommate kindly asks you to stop doing something, listen. Another tip I cannot stress enough, since I have gone through many tough situations myself—if something is bothering your roommate and they have asked you (maybe several times) to stop, listen and try your best to not do it again. Otherwise, your friendship could be ruined and you may begin to count the days to when you move out. 

Last, but not least, treat each other like you want to be treated. Enough said. 

As we all may understand, living with someone else can be a hard thing to do. So when you are making your final decision of whom to live with next year, choose wisely. May the housing odds be ever in your favor.