Paul Goldblatt, director of Residence Life, said end-of-the-year stress like finals, summer plans, searching for jobs and enjoying the last days at MSU can all create a high-tension environment.

“Stressors like that could make the situation even worse. When one or more people are stressed, responses are stronger,” Goldblatt said. “Get the (resident) mentor involved or the director of the building — just an outside person — to determine what’s happening. That type of conflict, well, there’s usually something else behind it. They can help lend clarity to the situation and help them move forward.”

Liz DeVries, a kinesiology senior, said she’s had pretty good experiences with roommates during her time at MSU, with one exception.

“Last year, actually, my roommate and I didn’t get along. And when I moved out, we didn’t even say anything,” she said. “I just walked out.”

DeVries said the only potentially awkward moment was when her roommate had to sign a sheet to allow her to have a sublessee, but that went fine.

This year, she’s living with three close friends, which has worked out well, despite the normal small arguments that may arise. Part of that has come through communication and negotiation.

“Pick and choose your battles. I’ve had roommates where they’ll bring up everything you do wrong, and it gets really frustrating,” DeVries said. “Bring up just certain things instead of everything, the things that really bother you.”

Goldblatt said roommates should start talking about each of their expectations right up front. If you’re trying to plan who’s going to clean what in your apartment or dorm room, he said it’s important to make a plan.

“If each person knows what they’re responsible for, less things fall through the cracks,” he said.

In the case of students living in residence halls, if one roommate broke something in the room, it would be a better situation for them to approach university housing and take responsibility for it. That way, both roommates aren’t being charged for something only one person did.

“It’s really all about communication. There have been so many times where we run into people that haven’t spoken and the expectations aren’t clear,” he said. “Then we start trying to backtrack and are trying to determine who did what.”

If you bought something together, such as a wireless router or kitchen appliance, deciding who gets what can be another source of tension.

Sylvia Bergthold, author of Aroommatesurvivalguide.com, advised one roommate to either pay her roommate for the things they shared and keep them or sell everything and split the profits.

“It’s about communication on a consistent basis. It’s going back and visiting it and giving reminders,” Goldblatt said.