When it comes to being a roommate, some of us are simply clueless. We’ve had our own room growing up forever, and then suddenly we are thrown into dorm life.

You, like me, might be super excited and thrive off the anticipation of living with a stranger who will become your bestie. Or, you might be the opposite – super anxious about how it’s all going to work out.

Well let’s face it. It will be awkward from the start no matter what you’re feeling. Here’s some “tips” to make the transition a tad easier.

First, make sure that your new roommate knows you love them before you’ve even had a chance to meet.

Make sure you add your new roommate on Facebook and comment on everything.

And if you know you won’t be in the room when they move in, that’s okay! Just write all those nice things you’d like to say to them on sticky notes all over the room. It will be the perfect surprise for them!

Second, don’t pay attention to the roommate agreement that your RA gives you. They make things super weird. You’ll just look at them and think, ‘I don’t know you and you don’t know me and, honestly, I just don’t want to make you mad so I’m not going to suggest anything I don’t think you’ll like anyways.’

Third, never, ever talk to your roommate. You’re only going to be together for the year and, really, your dorm is the only place you see each other. Besides, it’s the space where you go to get away from people. So just don’t acknowledge them. Even if they are doing things that annoy you. It’s totally not worth it.

In all seriousness, these were my own mistakes freshman year. A room full of sticky notes is overwhelming.

Take those roommate agreements seriously – it helps in the long run.

And finally, your roommate might only be around for one year but taking time to build a relationship makes it easier to express small annoyances when (yes, when) they do happen. It’ll be okay.

You got this, friends!