Learning to live closely with a new roommate can be a rewarding and broadening experience for students and can lead to a long-lasting friendship. It can also be a difficult task. In building a healthy relationship with roommates, good communication is essential. Open and honest discussion and active listening will help resolve those little conflicts that invariably occur. Respect for a roommate's personal property, privacy, and study/sleep needs will also help foster a successful relationship. It helps to remember that all parties are roommates. In exceptionally difficult situations, an RA, AC, or RD can function as a mediator.