Questions to Ask Potential Roommates College
Essential questions to assess compatibility, habits, boundaries, and whether you and a potential college roommate will coexist harmoniously.
1What's your typical sleep schedule, and are you a light or heavy sleeper?
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What's your typical sleep schedule, and are you a light or heavy sleeper?
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Why this works
Reveals whether your sleep habits will clash and how flexible they are about noise.
2How do you feel about having guests over, and how often do you plan to have people in the room?
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How do you feel about having guests over, and how often do you plan to have people in the room?
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Why this works
Sets expectations for privacy and social boundaries.
3Are you generally neat or messy, and what are your cleaning expectations?
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Are you generally neat or messy, and what are your cleaning expectations?
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Why this works
Clarifies cleanliness standards and whether you'll agree on shared space upkeep.
4Do you plan to study in the room, and do you need quiet to focus?
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Do you plan to study in the room, and do you need quiet to focus?
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Why this works
Helps coordinate study habits and whether you'll need to compromise on noise levels.
5What's your approach to sharing—food, toiletries, or other items?
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What's your approach to sharing—food, toiletries, or other items?
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Why this works
Establishes boundaries and prevents conflicts over belongings.
6Do you drink, smoke, or use substances, and how do you feel about that in the room?
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Do you drink, smoke, or use substances, and how do you feel about that in the room?
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Why this works
Clarifies lifestyle choices and whether they're compatible with your preferences.
7Are you an introvert or extrovert, and how much alone time do you need?
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Are you an introvert or extrovert, and how much alone time do you need?
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Why this works
Helps gauge social energy and whether you'll respect each other's need for space.
8What are your pet peeves or deal-breakers when living with someone?
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What are your pet peeves or deal-breakers when living with someone?
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Why this works
Surfaces non-negotiables early so you can assess compatibility.
9How do you handle conflict—do you address issues directly or avoid confrontation?
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How do you handle conflict—do you address issues directly or avoid confrontation?
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Why this works
Reveals communication style and how problems will be navigated.
10What's your morning routine like, and will we need to coordinate bathroom or getting-ready time?
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What's your morning routine like, and will we need to coordinate bathroom or getting-ready time?
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Why this works
Helps plan logistics and avoid morning bottlenecks.
11Are you planning to join clubs, sports, or have a job, and how busy will your schedule be?
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Are you planning to join clubs, sports, or have a job, and how busy will your schedule be?
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Why this works
Clarifies how much they'll be in the room and whether schedules align.
12Do you listen to music or watch videos in the room, and how do you feel about headphones?
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Do you listen to music or watch videos in the room, and how do you feel about headphones?
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Why this works
Sets expectations for noise and whether headphones will be the default.
13How do you feel about splitting shared costs like mini-fridges, cleaning supplies, or decorations?
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How do you feel about splitting shared costs like mini-fridges, cleaning supplies, or decorations?
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Why this works
Clarifies financial expectations and how purchases will be handled.
14Do you have any allergies, medical conditions, or accessibility needs I should know about?
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Do you have any allergies, medical conditions, or accessibility needs I should know about?
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Why this works
Ensures you can accommodate each other's health and safety needs.
15What's your policy on overnight guests or significant others staying over?
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What's your policy on overnight guests or significant others staying over?
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Why this works
Sets boundaries on romantic partners and how that will be navigated.
16Are you a morning person or a night owl, and how does that affect your routine?
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Are you a morning person or a night owl, and how does that affect your routine?
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Why this works
Reveals whether your energy peaks will conflict or complement each other.
17How do you feel about decorating the room, and what style do you prefer?
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How do you feel about decorating the room, and what style do you prefer?
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Why this works
Helps coordinate aesthetics and avoid clashing tastes.
18What are you most excited and nervous about for college?
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What are you most excited and nervous about for college?
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Why this works
Builds rapport and shows vulnerability, helping you connect as people.
19How important is it to you to be friends with your roommate versus just coexist peacefully?
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How important is it to you to be friends with your roommate versus just coexist peacefully?
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Why this works
Clarifies expectations for the relationship and whether friendship is a goal.
20Is there anything else I should know about you that would help us live together successfully?
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Is there anything else I should know about you that would help us live together successfully?
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Why this works
Opens space for anything they haven't mentioned and shows you care about compatibility.
Finding the Right College Roommate
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.