Now that you have seriously thought about what you would be like as a roommate, keep these things in mind and think about what you are looking for in a roommate. The more time you spend considering exactly what type of roommate you want, the more likely you will find a long-lasting and mutually beneficial living situation. Take out another piece of paper and begin visualizing your potential roommate.

The Ideal Roommate. List the little things, as well as the big. Remember to cover the three categories that you used when considering yourself as a roommate:

Personal: Tidiness, similar sleep needs, familiar with your major, etc.

Technical: Able to fix stereos, garbage disposal and a VCR.

Material: Has a car, furniture, TV, etc.

Top Priorities. Now, working with your ideal roomie list, write ten or twelve of your top priorities in the left hand column. When you get done making the list, order the characteristics according to importance. Your No. 1 priority could be anything from a nonsmoker to a biology major. Make sure the list reflects your true feelings. Be prepared to compromise on some of your lesser priorities in order to obtain those on top. Leftovers. Refer back to your ideal list and compare it with your top priorities. "Leftovers" will include characteristics which are not absolutely essential to your future health and well-being, but would be found in the perfect roommate. These are like the whipped cream and cherry on top, and you should count yourself lucky if you find a roommate with several of these "pluses." Things You Absolutely Cannot Live With. Now, list those characteristics you simply cannot live with (a smoker, windows open all night, Van Halen at 6:00 a.m., etc.). When you have a good long list, number these things by priority. Again, be prepared to compromise on some items of lesser importance.