These are some things you should keep in mind as you move into Clemson and are assigned a roommate. Many of you may have never had to share a room before, so take this time to read some advice from someone who has never had a room of his own.
1. Communication
If there is something that is bothering you about your roommate, or might be a problem in the future, address it openly and honestly, and early on! Being passive about something that bothers you will potentially erupt later in the semester in a nasty way. You will live with this person for the better part of a year. If you don’t want them to keep illegal substances in the room, have uninvited guests without your permission or use your things without asking, address it early on and set ground rules for the both of you. You can’t stop them from doing these things, but you can set boundaries to protect yourself.
2. Compromise
Your roommate has their own desires, and you need to acknowledge that. They might want to go to sleep early on weeknights while you’re a night owl who studies until 2 a.m. Compromising in this situation would mean that you respect your roommate’s right to rest, and you find study space in your building. Most dorms have small study lounges that are great for this purpose, so you don’t have to trek all the way to the library. If you do this for your roommate, they will be more likely to make sacrifices, too. Finding simple compromises is key.
3. Courtesy
This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised by the lack of courtesy some roommates show each other. Treat your roommate with respect, make an effort to become friends and if that isn’t going to happen, at least be amicable towards them. You will be spending a decent chunk of time in your dorm, and it’s likely that your roommate will, too. It’s best to at least be a positive influence in their life. And if you are lucky, they will turn out to be an amazing friend to share in both your laughs and tears during finals week.