I have learned quiet a few things over the last year or so. Here are a few of them:

Sign a 6 month lease if you don't know quite what you're getting yourself into. Make sure you meet with a potential roommate several times before agreeing to room together. Set up boundaries early or you're going to be sharing everything from finger nail polish remover to laundry soap. Make the new roommate pay a deposit. Who knows if they're more messy than you. People with similar goals work well as roommates. Two working people or two students. Don't get so caught up in yourself that you cannot ask for help. If you want something, say so. Don't stew until it's too late. Don't let a busser get too used to you taking them places. Don't fall for guilt trips. When you say "jump" i'm not going to say "how high?" Wishy-washy doesn't work for me. Yes or No are fine answers. I bake when I'm stressed.

There are also a few things that I want people to learn as well: Don't guilt trip me. I'll reply with "I'm sorry" and move on. Not everyone can rely on society to get them by. Do NOT avoid places because they get dirty. Clean them up. Just because I have friends doesn't mean that you have to do everything with us. *Work for what you want. Don't give up when it gets tough.