Talking and settling on plans you both agree with is the best way to get along with your roommate. Remember, you don't have to be best friends. Ask yourselves these questions as soon as possible, even if you're already half-way through the semester. And be honest, all the talking in the world won't work if you're not being honest.

Who are you?

• Where are you from?
• What was your high school like, and what were your involved in there?
• Do you have a major yet, and what is it?
• What are your interests, hobbies, favorite bands, and TV shows?
• What are your friends like?

How clean are we?

• How clean do you want the room, what are you used to?
• What is your bottom line (be super honest here). What will put you over the edge?
• Are we both organized or both messy, or one or the other?
• Will sharing spaces work? Is it your space and my space, or our space?
• How do you want to arrange the space?
• Should we bunk the beds and share the leftover space?
• Should each person have their own side of the room?
• Who has what, and do we use both or just one?
• Do we share one TV, or each have our own?
• Do we want to share costs for food, or each buy our own?

So, the everyday stuff?

• Do you prefer/like to be alone?,
• Do you sleep with the TV on?
• Would you rather be out socializing or home reading a book?
• How will I know if you're upset, depressed, or angry? What do I need to know to understand you better?
• Do you like being around people all the time, sometimes, never?

Are we going to be fast friends?

• Do you already know a lot of people at EMU, or in the resident hall?
• How often do you want to hang out together, do you want to eat together, walk to class together?
• Do you want to join the same organizations, or keep some space between us?

What about the study thing?

• How often do you study?
• Should we agree to study in places other than our room?
• Do you want to set a study time for each of us?
• What do you need the room to be like to study?
• Music
• Quiet
• TV on
• Guests
• Door open
• What time do you usually study?
• Do you want to study together if we're in the same classes?

If it's not going so well?

• In certain situations, roommates can be changed. EMU works with students to resolve any problems, but understand a resolution cannot always be found.
• Talk to your RA (resident advisor).
• Talk with your ACD (area complex director).