Lots of colleges pick your roommate for you, at least first semester. But, you can usually find out ahead of time who it is.

Or if you get to choose your roomie, great. Go for it!

Anyway, try to meet first. In person is best, but by phone, chat or e-mail also works. Have a burger, and kick ideas around, 'till you both get a gist of the ifs and maybes--just some kind of feel for it. You know, whether you'll get along or not.

One thing you might really want to know is, does your roommate smoke or not? Or, maybe you do. If so, decide on some "house rules" ahead of time. Because, some people are actually allergic to smoke or may have Asthma. So be considerate about this issue, whatever you do.

Check with each other about what to bring. And, save some things for later; so you can have fun going shopping together after school starts.

Now, here is something you might want to know: After school starts, if you get stuck with the wrong roommate, there IS something you may be able to do about it. So, look in the book, How to Survive as a College Freshman. Lots more info on this one.

Copyright 1992, Blake Communications. All rights reserved.

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