Anyway, without further ado....
#7. They're Early To Bed or Late To Rise...
So you're not the earliest bird in the world, and you may consider "early" to be anything before 10am, but it seems like your roommate just wants to sleep his entire college experience away. If you're waking up just in time to grab dinner, and then turning around to hit the hay again, chances are you're annoying the hell out of that person you're rooming with. The same goes for that roomie who goes to sleep at the same bed-time that was established when they were 4 years old. It's college!! You're suppose to stay up, even if it's for no good reason.
But what really breaks the camel's back, is the fact that you can't do anything when they're asleep. There's only so much you can do in a room while staying as quiet as possible. That rules out TV, video games, talking on the phone, etc. If you've got someone with these narcoleptic tendencies, stop being so considerate. Humans may spend 1/3rd of their lives sleeping, but that other 2/3rds should be spent doing something loud and fun.
#6. They Don't Use Headphones...
I've had my fair share of college roommates, four to be exact. Some were good, and some were bad, but I've found that a friendly room atmosphere is built on the foundation of one thing, respect. Headphones are great. You can listen to your iPod, your computer, and your Game Boy, all while not disturbing those around you. However, there are some people who feel the need to listen to their audio out loud. Maybe the headphones hurt their ears, or maybe they just want you to know how awesome their taste in music is. Fact is, if you're not using headphones, you're not showing you're roommate respect.
Very few TVs have headphone jacks, and even fewer are close enough to the viewer for a chord to reach, so that what makes it the one exception. If your roommate is watching TV, put on your damn headphones! There's no need to get in a volume match. Headphones are a great invention. USE THEM!!
#5. They Don't Understand The Concept of Cleanliness...
I mentioned earlier that cleanliness comes in different forms. Let's not forget about hygiene! Shower's should be used and not avoided. And if you're going use the dorm shower, WEAR SANDALS!! Nothing makes me cringe more than seeing someone bare foot in the bathroom. That or maybe smelling a room that's been sat in all day by a dirty roommate.
#4. They Partake in Illegal Activities...
Nothing is a bigger buzz-kill than getting busted for something illegal on campus. Whether it's smoking in the dorms, doing drugs, or drinking underage, getting caught red-handed is bad news. What sucks even worse is getting in trouble by association. If your roommate is caught doing something bad, you're assumed to have been involved.
I had a friend who was over 21 and his roommate was too. One night while my friend was kicking back watching some TV, his roommate had a couple girls over and they were drinking. My friend assumed these ladies were 21. An RA came to the room, and busted him because the girls were underage. Even though they weren't his friends, and he wasn't drinking, he was guilty by association.
It would be the same with drugs. If your roommate is caught with drugs, don't think it'll just be his side of the room that'll get searched. If your roommate likes to puff the magic dragon, encourage him to join your school's Outdoor Club. That's what it's there for...
#3. They Touch Your Stuff...
When you get to college you have to learn how to share stuff. It's a necessary evil. It's almost like being married. But sometimes, roommates can take advantage of that sharing. Occasionally they take it upon themselves to use your stuff without asking.
I wouldn't consider myself a dick, but if you use my things without checking with me first, I can become one very quickly. I like to take very good care of my stuff, so I guess it's really a trust issue. I've got some very nice/expensive things and I want to make sure they aren't going to get broken.
If you find food in the fridge that you didn't put there, don't touch it. I know back home food magically appeared in your fridge every week, but this is not your house, and that food belongs to someone else. Be reasonable. It all comes back to respect. Respect their stuff, and respect their space.
#2. SEX...
Everyone comes to college with an expectation of having intercourse with multiple partners. For some, their expectations are met, for others... not so much. Sometimes your roommate is one of the lucky ones, and you find yourself sexiled more often than you'd like.
Sexile: "To banish somebody, usually one's roommate, from the room for the privacy to fornicate."
As inconvenient as sexiling is, what really grinds my gears is when roommates get hot and heavy while you're in the room!! (Talk about not showing someone respect!) I've heard horror stories from all my friends, and I have a few of my own. Just don't do it!!
If you are on the flip side of the coin, wait until your roommate leaves, or just ask them to. Most people are OK with leaving for 20 minutes or so. Oh, and before they get back, make sure you use some febreeze. It's just a common courtesy.
#1. They Won't Leave the Room!!!!!!
This is my all time biggest pet peeve for having a roommate. When you live in a dorm you have very little privacy. Pretty much everyone knows what everyone else is doing. Occasionally, you just want to come back from class to an empty, quiet room. Personal space is highly underrated in the college atmosphere.
Sometimes you may find yourself with a roommate who doesn't leave the room. I've had roommates who I swore didn't have classes, because I've never seen them outside the dorm. It's a tough position to be in, because most people don't want to confront the "room-dweller." College is a time to go out, meet new people, drink, screw, and go to class. I hate coming back to a room with a roommate constantly on his computer or watching TV. It's depressing. I mean come on! There's a big exciting world out there waiting for you. Don't spend these great years confined to the room. I understand that sometimes "room time" is nice, but if it's a constant thing you're not only hurting your social life, but you're also depriving your roommate of his alone time.
All in all, show some courtesy and some respect to that other person you call your college roommate. It will usually be reciprocated, and you'll find yourself in a very comfortable home away from home.
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