For most new college students, the roommate arrangement is a new experience. Aside from those who have been in pre-college programs or attended boarding school, few students have had to share a room (at least with a non-family member) in the past. Occupying the same small space with another person for several months will often result in either a strong bond of friendship or extreme antipathy between the two college roommates.

In some cases, overcrowding in student housing may lead to three or even four freshmen being placed together in the same room.

While most colleges do try to pair like minded people together, there are plenty of cases of college roommates being of different mindsets, values, and personal habits.

Here are some tips for avoiding confrontation with your college roommate: