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Communicate effectively Follow through with your obligations. Clean up after yourself. Spend time with your roommate. Accommodate your roommate.
. As in any relationship, living with someone requires a great deal of work. Communication is key in making the relationship work well long-term, or even for a short time. If a problem comes up, it's better to talk about it right away than to try to ignore it and let it get worse. For example, say "Chris, it upsets me when I wake up to find all the milk gone. If you use the last of something, can you please add it to the list?" If you simply cannot communicate openly and there is tension all the time, you may be better off finding a new roommate. If you say you're going to clean the kitchen, pay your roommate back for your share of the lease or utilities, or call the landlord about a repair, then you need to do so. Nothing is more frustrating than agreeing to something with someone then finding out they didn't hold up their end of the bargain. Be responsible for yourself and follow through with what you say you will do. Though you may have agreed that your roommate would take out the trash on Fridays, that doesn't mean you can pile stuff around the can until Friday rolls around. If you have a spare minute, just take out the trash. Don't leave your dirty dishes in the sink for days on end, dump your things in the living room, or leave mountains of laundry on top of the washer. Try to agree on a minimum standard of cleanliness that you'll all abide by. Say hello and goodbye, ask them how their day was, and show interest in their life. Getting to know the person you live with helps you understand their perspective, and allows them to understand yours. It also makes it easier to deal with problems that you have with that person if you've already established a rapport with them. Try to set a time in which you both can hang out at least once a week. Make dinner together, watch a movie, or go for a hike. Do something nice for your roommate every so oftendo their dishes, bake them cookies, or offer to give them a ride somewhere if they don't have a car. Understand what's going on in your roommate's life, and aim to be flexible and accommodating. If your roommate has a big test coming up, you should probably be quiet and let them study. If your roommate is busy and stressed with their job, give them some time and space to relax and unwind. After all, wouldn't you like your roommate to show you the same consideration?