This exercise is a tool to foster conversation between you and your potential roommate(s). Life is lived more fully and happily if roommates who live together have the capacity to exchange ideas, points of view, feelings, attitudes and opinions freely. It is also important that you be able to clarify assumptions that you make about each other.

The basic purpose of the discussion is to foster a greater understanding of each other. By communicating and sharing perceptions, you will begin working toward a higher level of trust.

Taking a few minutes to talk to your potential roommate(s) might make next year a lot easier. A great way to begin is to take turns completing the following sentences:

• My full name is...
• My favorite food...
• Right now I'm feeling...
• I like to go to bed at (time)...
• When I study, I like to...
• When I am sleeping, I want you to...
• My first impression of you was...
• When I get out of bed in the morning, I feel...
• At school, I'm best at...
• When I'm stressed, I...
• My greatest weakness in school...
• I want my room to be (clean, messy, etc.)...
• I am happiest when...
• When I am approaching a deadline, I...
• My views on religion are...
• In my free time, I like to...
• I like to be involved in (sports, clubs, etc.)...
• I'm hoping that...
• What puzzles me about you is...
• What I like best about you is...
• I like a hug when...

Hopefully this exercise will open up lines of communication. No matter how hard we try, communication still breaks down. Don't give up! Keep talking, learning, and growing for each other. And remember to have a good time!