It is not an easy feat adjusting to a new environment, a new schedule, a new crowd of people and particularly, college roommates.

It is not easy living with a new person. Whether you’ve become best friends or just tolerate each other, it is important to grasp how to be a good roommate.

There is nothing worse than walking into your room and feeling like you aren’t comfortable or welcomed in your own space. By learning how to live together, it ensures you and your roommate(s) will have a comfortable living situation through the duration of the year.

An important aspect of this is setting boundaries on a variety of living styles and keeping consistent communication about them. How often should you clean the room? How late can guests stay in the dorm? When should you turn off the speakers and put on headphones?

Boundaries help facilitate conversations between both or all sides and ensure everyone has their voice heard. It can also be easier to hold roommates accountable for when conflicts arise.

Setting these boundaries early is also key in being a good roommate. Though resident assistants often facilitate these conversations during the first semester, roommate conflicts can arise far before this happens.

There’s no sugarcoating it: starting these conversations can be awkward. But what’s worse than this is the stress that comes with living in a tense environment.

By coming from a place of understanding and respect when talking about boundaries is important as well. Chances are, your roommate comes from a different town or state, a different living situation and a different lifestyle than you. No matter these differences, everyone deserves to have their boundaries respected.