Chapter 16 covers that essential college topic: roommates. We provide recommendations for developing a good relationship with one’s roommate and strategies for dealing with difficult roommate situations.

Exercises

1. With a partner or small group, draft a Roommate’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. When you are finished, compare your draft to other students’ drafts. If your college has a Roommate’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities or a similar document, compare your draft to that, too.
2. If you haven’t done so already, talk to your roommate about which expectations you share, where the two of you might need to compromise, and how you can prevent awkward situations.
3. Write a letter to future college students about how to get to know one’s roommate—and what not to do!