When you plan to become a roommate, there are certain things you should be aware of to avoid becoming a roommate that no one wants to live with. You certainly don't want to be the roommate that no one else in the dorm or apartment wants to associate with or the one that is most talked about. Some roommates are just impossible to live with because they are too messy, too inconsiderate, too demanding or too self-centered. That is what you want to avoid when you decide you need a roommate or want to move in with someone else.



If you are an only child or a person that has never shared a room with someone, the fact of being a roommate is something that you will need time to adjust to. However, this experience is the perfect learning opportunity to learn how to get along with people in situations where you just can't leave and go home. It will prepare you for situations you will encounter in the work place and teach you valuable problem solving skills in how to get along with others. It will require you to exercise tact, cooperation and tolerance of the faults of others.

One thing that most roommates always do is choose the best bed or room when they are the first to arrive. The best way to start off on the right foot is to wait until your roommates arrive and then arrive at a mutual decision as to who sleeps where. This will show the others that you are willing to compromise. Even if there is one bed or room that everyone seems to want, you can flip a coin to see who gets it first and then make arrangements to switch after a period of time.

If you don't want to have posters up around the walls, then you will likely have to make compromises when you live with others whose tastes in decorating are different from yours. You do have to realize that all people are not the same in their likes and dislikes. You should sit down and discuss what you want in decoration and then come to an amiable solution.

You should never to copy your roommate or try to go to the same places as your roommate. This is a sure sign that you lack the self-confidence to make your own decisions. Some people start to feel crowded when their roommate always wants to tag along with them. At the same time, if you do have a roommate that wants to go wherever you go and do the same things as you, you shouldn be rude and rebuff them. By gently introducing this person to new experiences and new friends you will be able to choose your own direction and give your roommate the self-confidence that he/she needs.

Before you take or use anything belonging to your roommate, you must always ask permission. Even if you don't do this at home with your siblings, it is common courtesy to ask permission when you want to use something that belongs to others.