by Stephen Murphy

Created on: August 07, 2009

We all remember the freshmen year roommate, who was just a little strange and a little off when you first met them. College students experience many different emotions and adversity in the first week of school, like meeting someone who is completely new to them. The first week of fall semester brings together bunch of young people throughout the country in one place from all walks of life. Adjusting can be difficult. There are many changes, and remembering these simple rules of etiquette will transition you to a successful college start.

Rule of etiquette 1: Know thy roommate. First things first, you must know the very person you are forced share a room a little bit larger than a prison cell for the next nine months. Eat with them and talk to them, and at the very least get to know a little about their background. Diversity is everywhere in college, and the better you deal with it from the start; the better you will be when you face a real challenge (like midterms and finals) later on. You may absolutely hate the roommate over time, and want to switch after the year, or even the semester. Keep in mind, life is not the movies and not everyone will get along and not everyone will like you. Traits you have now like singing in the shower will annoy everyone later. Relationship building is harder than any class and if you start early to build one, many more will follow.

Rule of etiquette 2: Create a set of boundaries. If you like to go out and party, and are the social butterfly, great. But when you come in late at night from the party or social event, remember not everyone shares your views and will want to be up talking on the phone, or care even care about what happened. When dealing with members of the opposite sex, it is probably not idea to have your significant other over 24/7. No one likes their roommate's clingy girlfriend annoying them roommate all the time, so talk with your roommate, and set some boundaries for when people come over. It is also good to have friends to create a set of boundaries that will keep you from doing something socially taboo, like walking naked to the shower; believe me, no one wants to see that.

Rule of etiquette 3: Share, but at your own risk. College students bring a variety of things to the room. Some bring a TV, playstation, a computer, and someone may bring the latest sound system to rival any concert. You may not bring a television, or the latest electronic device; Your roommate may be the rich kid who gets everything handed to them. No one likes a childish baby, however, if you have the latest video game, or food, it is important to share. A word of caution, however; Share the TV, video games, and food to make the room better, but don't share the girlfriend, towel, or personal hygiene items.

Rule of etiquette 4: Golden Rule: The best rule of etiquette there is to treat others the way you want to be treated. This is by far the most important rule of etiquette; there are a lot of different people and different cultures on a college campus. If you treat everyone with respect the first time you meet them, and just try chances are you are going to have a lot of fun your first year and can easily be the best year of your life.

The only thing consistent is change in college, and as a freshman you will experience some of the biggest changes of your life. By keeping these simple rules of etiquette in mind, it will be an easier transition into the college life.

Learn more about this author, Stephen Murphy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.