Always ask before borrowing
It is common courtesy to ask to use something that is not your own. However, in college this golden rule is often overlooked. It is tempting to borrow a roommate's shampoo or grab one of their sodas from their mini-fridge, especially if the roommate is not in the dorm at that moment. It is even more tempting to let your friend sleep in your roommate's bed when he or she goes home for the weekend. Although these may seem like minor infractions, they will add up and ultimately annoy your roommate, especially if he or she finds out! All you need to do is be sure to always ask first before taking anything. Establish a trustworthy relationship with your roommate and he or she will never have a problem letting you have anything!
Always clean up your own mess
A college lifestyle is extremely hectic and busy. It is so easy to overlook minor details like doing the dishes or cleaning the toilet every now and then. An easy way to deter a filthy mess is to set up a cleaning schedule. For example, you can agree with your roommate to exchange cleaning duties every other week. This week, you take the toilet cleaning and he or she takes out the trash. In this fashion, duties are shared equally and if your roommate isn't pulling his or her weight, remind him or her what you have already cleaned this week and they will most likely do their job. We all need a little reminder sometimes!
Do something together!
Living with another person doesn't just mean sharing the same bathroom and living space. It also means you interact with your roommate. Try to get to know him or her and do something fun together. You can learn a lot about a person by just watching a movie together. Your relationship with your roommate is dependent on how much effort you put in to interact and share interests with him or her. It is a lot more enjoyable to come back to your room and be able to chat about your day with your roommate than just enter and awkwardly go to your desk!