My roommate is a disgusting slob," says Marcus Johnson, a junior at Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA). "His side of the room always looks like garbage and he doesn't shower daily... People say all the time, 'Oh, you live with the weirdo.' We're completely mismatched."

Welcome to freshman year. The only task more daunting than actually getting into college is choosing the perfect person to spend a full year or more with in a room the size of a prison cell. Like a marriage, a roommate will undoubtedly be there through sickness and health, cram sessions and party times. But for better or worse, following a few simple roommate rules can help make your housing situation tolerable, if not enjoyable.

Tip #1: Know Your Ideal Mate
Before you ever set foot in a  

dorm

 , you're going to have to make choices that will affect the rest of your academic year. The first step to making good decisions is knowing who you are and what you would like in a roommate. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Wallflower or social butterfly? Mr. Clean or Ms. Messy?

Tom Chen, a sophomore at Amherst College (Amherst, MA), had a major problem with differing habits his freshman year. "One of my roommates had serious B.O. My other roommate and I would leave his shoes outside the window because of the smell," he says. "I must have spent almost $50 on air fresheners."

Requesting someone who matches your hygiene and social habits can help prevent a future World War III, says Holly Easterling, a graduate resident director at Appalachian State University (Boone, NC). "Be honest. Know and explain what you want out of the situation to your roommate," she adds.

Tip #2: More Than Just Friends?
There's a huge difference between a good friend and a good roommate. "Living with someone is always different than being friends," warns Stefanie Stefanic, assistant coordinator for Off Campus Student Services at the University of Texas A&M (College Station, TX). "Most students find that moving in with their best friends ends up being a very poor decision and a strain on the relationship. Building relationships based on roommate status that develops into friendship typically has better results."

Tip #3: The Roommate Prenup'
You don't have to live through a celebrity wedding to know that drawing up a contract beforehand can prevent a giant "he said/she said" domestic dispute later.

Easterling advises devising a roommate contract as soon as possible with the assistance of a Resident Advisor. "These help erase any doubt as to living expectations and let both roommates know what behavior is offensive and unacceptable."

Include everything from cleaning, noise, study times, and sharing of personal items, to parties, privacy, guests, and anything else you and your roommate deem important, Stefanic recommends. "You can amend it when necessary, and decide if something doesn't work, but you have already laid a foundation for communication, the key ingredient to successful roommate environments."

Tip #4: Making a Commitment
What's the key to any good relationship? That's right -- communication! By making a conscious commitment to maintain an open, honest relationship with your roommate, you'll prevent problems from escalating. "Don't ever let minor stuff build. Always address it quickly, honestly, and with patience and flexibility. Most students let little nagging problems multiply and then something that could have been resolved in 10 minutes now takes two weeks to never. In short, she says, state your feelings. "Silence is your worst enemy."

Before you walk down the high school graduation aisle and into a dorm marriage, remember that it's not all about you anymore. For better or for worse, do your best to make your dorm relationships last -- at least for a semester at a time.

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