<p>I think it’d be good to have a thread totally devoted to what to not to bring to dorms as well as what to and not to do. Share all experiences! This could be fun.</p>
<p>So I’ll share some advice that I’ve learned from my brothers.</p>
<p>1) Do set your limits with your roomie about girlfriends/boyfriends immediately.
2) Don’t expect to study in your dorm room if you also have a TV.
3) Don’t leave towels on the floor. (Mold isn’t your friend)</p>
<p>that first thing is crucial. when I was an RA, that was the main thing that ruined roommate relationships.</p>
<p>here’s some more.</p>
<p>4) Do share your class schedule with your roommate.
5) Do try and eat a meal everyone once and a while with your roommate
6) Do try and take a class with your roommate
7) Don’t leave any dirty laundry on the floor
8) Don’t bring any friends over without telling your roommate</p>
<p>-Do take the roommate contract seriously. Lots of people just blow them off thinking “oh I want to look laid back and when push comes to shove I’ll be able to say something.” Talk to your roommate about when you expect to go to bed, etc.
-Do Not lock the door when you are taking a shower in one of the suite style bathrooms. When other people need to get ready for class, you cannot hog the bathroom all to yourself.
-Do use the study lounges in the dorms.
-Clean up after yourself. The maintenance people are there to keep things up, not to clean up after you.
-Try and get to know your suitemates.</p>
<p>Can you tell I spent 3 semesters in HJ?</p>
<p>In two room suite style rooms where you are responsible for cleaning, create a schedule/rotation with your suitemates for cleaning the bath and rotate who buys the cleaning materials, toilet paper etc.</p>
<p>You do not have to be best friends with your roommate but you must respect their space and needs in order for the year to be enjoyable.</p>
<p>Excellent advice eadad. My d ended up doing most of the bathroom cleaning duties because her suitemates didn’t really care how dirty it got. Better to work that one out from the get-go.</p>
<p>Great advice in all above posts…especially about awake hours and studying locations.</p>
<p>Don’t feel the need to have to spend every waking minute with your roomate, you will only be disappointed and annoy your roomate.</p>