Develop a good relationship with your roommate. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you have to be friends.
Talk with your roommate when you move in about your study schedule and what you expect in terms of quiet time. Try to come to an agreement about important things like partying and keeping the room clean.
Decide on some dorm rules. If you don't want friends over during weekdays, for example, let your roommate know and try to come to an agreement.
Agree on a "lights out" time, so that one of you doesn't get aggravated that she's trying to sleep while the other is awake and making noise.
Try to be open with each other. If either one of you has an issue, try to voice it right away so the issue can be resolved.
Talk to your resident assistant if you have a serious problem with your roommate. If your roommate is constantly breaking rules or putting your safety in jeopardy, then you should let your R.A. know.
Sign up for and attend events going on in your dorm. This is the best way to meet new people and make friends.
Plan events for your hallway. Host a movie or game night in your room.
Host a craft night. Have everyone in your hall bring an oversized college T-shirt and help each other cut them into off-the-shoulder shirts, tank tops or cute dresses to wear to football games.
Find a quiet place to study. Your dorm might have a study lounge, but if not, you may want to find a coffee shop nearby to study in. There is loud music and chatter pretty regularly in the dorm, so it may not be the best place to study.
Start a study group with your hall mates. Find out which classes others are taking and whether you'll be able to study and do homework together.
Buy some earplugs. There are bound to be nights when you are trying to study and your roommate is up watching TV or talking on the phone. If it's late and you can't go anywhere else, investing in some earplugs or headphones may save your sanity.
Check out the dorm's refrigerator size -- if there is a refrigerator -- before you bring any groceries there. Dorm fridges are usually tiny and won't hold much. Split the space with your roommate so you don't get your food mixed up.
Have quarters on hand. Most dorms have a washer and dryer that takes quarters. Try to do your laundry once a week at off-hours, like early in the morning or late at night, so you don't have to wait on line.
Get used to the idea of a community shower. Most dorm rooms don't have individual bathrooms, so you'll be showering and dressing in a community bathroom. Bring a robe and some flip-flops to wear in the shower, so you don't have to walk back and forth to your room in just a towel.
Bring a mattress pad. Don't expect a pillow-top mattress; dorm beds are usually hard and uncomfortable. Purchasing a thick mattress pad can make the bed a little more bearable.