Click on the accordions below to check out key resources to help you navigate the roommate experience.
Getting to Know Your Roommate
This is a list of questions to help you get talking with your roommate. You don’t need to know everything before you get to campus, so don’t feel like you have to ask every question. Question listed adapted from Kayla Rutledge, “50 Get to Know You Questions for College Roommates”.
1. Where are you from? What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
2. If you could pick one album to take on a deserted island with you, what would it be?
3. If you were a dessert, what would you be?
4. What were you like as a kid?
5. Why did you choose this college?
6. What are you thinking about majoring in?
7. What clubs/extracurricular activities did you do in high school?
8. What is one of the kindest things someone has done for you?
9. How many siblings do you have? Who’s your favorite?
10. What would your ideal residence hall room look like?
11. What’s your favorite class you’ve ever taken?
12. What does your perfect morning look like?
13. Would you rather stay up late or wake up early?
14. What snacks should we always have stocked in our room?
15. What was the best compliment you ever received?
16. If you could live in a fictional world from a book, what book would it be?
17. What would be your dream job if you could do anything and money didn’t matter?
18. Who was your favorite animated character growing up?
19. Where do you find peace?
20. What luxury do you consistently spend money on to treat yourself?
21. What is your favorite TV show?
22. What are two items you’ve checked off your bucket list?
23. What is your favorite meal your family makes?
24. What is your favorite genre of music?
25. If you could live in any time period, which one would it be?
26. What is the most thought-provoking movie you have ever seen?
27. What’s your coffee order?
28. What is your biggest fear about coming to college?
29. If you could hear any musician play live, living or dead, who would it be?
30. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Do you regret it?
31. If you could solve one world issue, what would it be?
32. If you could immediately play any instrument, what would it be?
33. If you could drive any kind of car, what would you drive?
34. What skill do you wish you were good at, but aren’t?
35. What’s your favorite family tradition?
36. What random topic are you an expert on?
37. What is your favorite thing to do?
38. What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?
39. If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
40. What topics/issues do you love to learn more about, and why?
41. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
42. What are your pet peeves?
43. Which summer was the best of your life, and why?
44. What habit are you trying to quit?
45. What is your favorite vacation you’ve ever taken?
46. What was one big turning point in your life that changed you in some way?
47. What is a song that reminds you of your childhood?
48. What item can you not live without?
49. Which birthday has been your favorite so far?
50. What can I do to be the best roommate for you?
Roommate Agreement Example
This is tool to help you and your roommate set expectations for your residence hall room. You will complete an official one once you arrive on campus.
Communication
• Messages: How will messages for each other be shared? (Text, post-it, dry erase board, etc). If a visitor stops by and leaves a message, how those messages be shared?
• Disagreements: How will you communicate frustrations and/or concerns to each other?
• Privacy: What information can be shared with others? How will you let each other know if you need to have privacy (need to have the room to yourself)?
Room Use
• Guests/Visitors: When can guests/visitors be in the room? How long can they stay and how often can they visit? What areas/items are off limits to guests/visitors? Is there a different set of rules for same and opposite gender guests?
• Studying: What sort of atmosphere do you need to study? What environment hinders studying? What time of day do you prefer to study?
• Sleeping: When do you prefer to sleep (don’t forget about naps)? What environment do you need to sleep (lights, noise, etc)? What environment hinders sleep? What is okay to do in the room while the other person is sleeping?
• Possessions: What items may be borrowed? Is permission required for all items or just certain ones? What items are off limits?
• Food and Beverage: Do you have any food allergies? Can you eat each other’s food? What items are off limits? What needs to be replaced/paid for if eaten? What do you need to ask permission to take/eat? How will personal food be distinguished (if necessary)?
Miscellaneous
• Cleaning: Plan a cleaning schedule. Who is responsible for what tasks (sweeping, taking out trash, etc) and how often? What is the standard for cleanliness for the room? What types of things gross you out (noodles in the sink, underwear on the floor, etc)?
• Room security: Always carry your key and lock your door when you’re not home. What other times will we lock the door?
• Anything else: What are other issues/concerns you would like to address?
How to be a Great Roommate
View a Nearpod presentation on “how to be a great roommate”.