8．Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences in college or，easily，one of the worst．Whether you've decided to room with a friend or a total stranger，the rules are still the same．If you want to have a good relationship with your roommate，it all starts with you．
Follow the four tips to avoid the common mistakes that turn good roommate relationships sour：
You've heard it before：Communication is key．If something happens，sit down with your roommate and have a face-to-face conversation．I've seen roommate relationships fall apart because something happens and，instead of talking to each other，the two start complaining about their roommates behind their backs．This method creates nothing but awkward situations and general unhappiness．
Some roommates become the best of friends，and some don't．Don't put pressure on yourself or your roommate to reach this level，especially when you first meet．Remember，you'v e trying to make a new friend，not scare your roommate away．And if your roommate doesn't end up being your best friend，don't worry about it．My first-year roommate and I didn't end up becoming best friends，but we are friends---and I couldn't have been happier with my roommate situation．
Everyone hates dirty places．If you make a mess，don't leave it for someone else to clean up．This should go without saying．Don't be a slob （懒汉）．Make sure you do your fair share of dormitory chores，such as taking out the trash and recycling，and cleaning the washroom．Or，at last，just don't bury your roommate in your clothes and garbage and you should be all right．Most people I've encountered（遭遇）in college are messy．You don't have all the time in the world to clean your room and keep it organized．But being considerate with where you put your stuff will help you avoid conflict．
If you want to lose a friend，borrow everything without asking．If you want to keep the relationship going，show you roommate that you have respect for what is his or hers by asking first．Even if you both agree to share everything，you should still ask whenever you want to reach for snacks，clothes，supplies and anything else that you don't own．An d upon moving into the dorm，you need to make clear which items you both feel comfortable sharing．
If you want a good roommate，you have to be a good roommate，Yes，there are exceptions．Sometimes being a good person and reaching out to your roommate simply isn't enough．Sometimes you get stuck with someone who has tons of negative energy or just isn't happy and doesn't want any sort of relationship．Whatever the case may be，the name of the game is always the same：respect．If you can't give it，you definitely don't deserve to get it．
Four （66）Tips/Suggestions/Waysto Be a Great Roommate
| Dormitory life is a usually one of the most cherished parts of one's time at college．Get ready to avoid the common mistakes． |
| Have a friendly conversation | Instead of burying your feelings or （67）complainingabout each other，you'd better communicate with your roommate frankly to get along well with each other． |
| Don't expect the roommates to be your best friends． | Sharing the same dorm doesn't necessarily mean you have to be best friends for each other，but it's better to make a friend than an enemy to experience college （68）happily/positively/smoothly |
| Clean up after yourself．Or，at least，keep your mess on your side． | It is believed that in a shared space，all roommates should help in keeping the room tidy instead of putting the burden on just one while the others do whatever they want． |
| Never take anything（ 69）withoutasking． | To keep belongings safe and avoid fighting late，let each other know in a polite way if you have to share the other's items．This rule applies to any situation． |
| If your work fails to win you a good roommate and you get stuck with someone who doesn't appreciate your kindness，it is not the end of the world．No matter what happens，showing （70）respectalways make sense． |
