Moving into your college dorm is exciting, but living with a roommate—especially someone you may have just met—adds a whole new layer to the experience. To avoid awkward situations and start your year off smoothly, it’s crucial to have some honest, clear conversations before move-in day. Here’s a list of key topics to cover so you can start off on the right foot:

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🛏️ 1. Sleeping Habits

Are you a night owl or early bird? Do you need total silence or can you fall asleep with music playing? Syncing (or at least understanding) your sleep preferences can help you avoid late-night frustrations.

Questions to ask:

• What time do you usually go to bed and wake up?
• Do you need white noise, a fan, or blackout curtains?

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🧼 2. Cleanliness and Chores

Some people make their bed every morning. Others… never do. It’s important to align on how clean the room should be and who’s responsible for what.

Questions to ask:

• How tidy do you like to keep your space?
• Are you okay with creating a cleaning schedule?

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🎧 3. Guests and Social Life

Talk about how often guests (especially overnight ones) are welcome. This includes significant others, friends from home, or people from your dorm.

Questions to ask:

• Are you comfortable with guests in the room?
• What’s your policy on overnight visitors?

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🍕 4. Food and Sharing

Will you both have your own snacks? Or are you open to sharing? This can prevent a lot of passive-aggressive fridge notes later.

Questions to ask:

• Are we sharing a mini-fridge or keeping food separate?
• What are your “off-limits” items?

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🔌 5. Stuff to Share (or Not)

Microwave? TV? Vacuum? Figure out who’s bringing what, and whether you’re okay sharing.

Questions to ask:

• What are you bringing to the room?
• Are you okay with me using your [fan/lamp/game console]?

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📱 6. Communication Style

When something’s bothering you, will you say it directly or let it slide? Talk about how you each handle conflict and set the tone for respectful communication.

Questions to ask:

• How do you prefer to handle conflict?
• Would you rather talk things out right away or take time to cool off?

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🚪 7. Room Vibe and Boundaries

Do you want the dorm to be a chill hangout spot or a quiet study zone? Are you okay with music blasting or do you need silence to focus?

Questions to ask:

• What kind of vibe do you want our room to have?
• How do you feel about studying in the room vs. going to the library?

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Final Tip: Make a Roommate Agreement

After your conversation, consider writing down what you’ve agreed on—nothing too formal, just a shared understanding you can refer back to if things get murky.

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Remember: The goal isn’t to agree on everything—it’s to understand each other and set clear expectations. A little communication up front can save you from a whole lot of awkwardness later.