So you've finally graduated high school and have been accepted into college. It's now the beginning of august and you have already attended freshman orientation were you had your snazzy looking Student ID card printed out, taken every tour around campus, gone through all those boring presentations that tell you how lucky you are to be a part of your soon to be school, and you are completely in love with it. It's perfect - 'how can anything go wrong', you ask yourself. Besides those few rough nights before midterms and finals, there's nothing to stress right? Wrong.

There's that one problem you hadn't thought of; the roommate. Some people get lucky and some people don't, it's that simple. You either have a "chill" roommate that has a great likable personality who keeps themselves and their living space reasonably clean and accepts your boundaries while always showing consideration for you. Or you get the roommate from hell. The one that smells funny, has dirty clothes thrown all over the room, who eats continuously, blasts music all the time, and has no respect for you or your belongings at all. Your roommate doesn't have to be your best friend who is practically attached to your hip. It's just preferred to have a friendly likable roommate. Unfortunately some people aren't so lucky and find themselves screaming "WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS DEMON CHILD ROOMMATE?!" to the gods.

There are many ways to deal with a bad roommate. The first step would of course be talking to them. Let them know what's up, the "do's" and the "please don'ts." If you can't keep your feelings to yourself but don't want to talk to them in person because you know it will end badly, write it out. Try creating a letter to them. Write out all the things they do that bother you, write what you would like them to change, and possibly give them some compliments. Remember, if you just bash them they are most likely going to think you're crazy and dismiss any argument you have made. By doing this you may make living with this individual possible and tolerable at least until the semester is over. You also don't necessarily have to give the letter to them, although if you do it's an added bonus. By just writing everything out, it may help you get rid of tension or any build up that you had inside.

If that doesn't work, be creative. I myself disliked my first roommate enough that it inspired me to create a website allowing other people to rate roommates, hall-mates, sorority sisters, frat brothers, neighbors, or even just a friend on campus, all online. Doing something creative with your anger can inspire good things sometimes, and a bad roommate is the perfect fuel. Draw some funny pictures of them or something, laugh about it, and don't keep thinking negative! Remember things can always be worse!

If you live on campus you should also remember that at most schools now, you are not stuck with a permanent roommate forever. If things get too bad or awkward you can always talk to an RA to help resolve an issue or point you in the right direction to changing rooms and finding a new roommate. That is part of their job; they are there to help you. If you don't live on campus and share a rent with a roommate, you can always try and find a replacement roommate to move in and take your place. Around college campuses, college students are always looking for better locations, housing, or a new roommate like you. Look in the local newspapers and out there on the web to search for some prospective students looking for a place to live. I almost guarantee you'll find someone.

Living with another person is tough. Living with a random person from another state or even country can be harder. Sometimes your roommate is not who you expected and they have greatly affected your college experience and made life difficult in some way, adding extra stress. Take into consideration that there is always something to do to make things better. Being friends with someone and living with them are two entirely different things. In actuality your roommate from hell may be a good person at heart but just unbearable to live with. Give them a chance and if all else fails try and make it better. Whether it be resolving any issues or finding a new roommate. You can always make a situation better, just be resourceful.

Joe is the creator and web developer of RateTheRoomie.com. The site was created to rate roommates, hall-mates, frat brothers, sorority sisters, and other people across campus who you may have lived with or around during your college experience. It is designed to give feedback to past roommates or to look up friends, family or yourself to have some fun.

See his website at http://ratetheroomie.com