Do dorm-buddy date before rooming together

My best friend and I plan to dorm together at college. I was wondering if that's a good idea — I don't want to get into fights. —Lakyn, 16, Nettleton, Miss.

How exciting! It's not often that best friends get to stay together through a life-changing experience like college, and you two will be lucky to have each other for this new chapter in your lives. That said, it's wise that you're thinking now about possible downsides to becoming roommates; living with anyone can be stressful — but living with someone you know can sometimes be even harder. So channel your concerns into something positive: Invite your BFF on a dorm-buddy date, so you guys can start planning.

Over breakfast, come up with a shopping list for stuff you might need for your dorm, and figure out some "house rules." Bring up any concerns you might have, like how you want to stay close no matter how many new friends each of you makes.

Discuss how you'd like to divvy up dorm chores, like cleaning, how often it's OK to have people over, and what time you'd like to go to bed.

Vow that if something doesn't go perfectly, you two will talk about it — instead of getting mad or letting resentment boil up inside of you.

And when breakfast is over, do something fun so that the day doesn't become too heavy: Go for manicures, or hit a local sale on dorm supplies! And keep in mind: As important as it is to hold on to friendships, it's just as important to branch out and make new friends.

---

Questions may be sent directly to Seventeen magazine at: dearseventeen@hearst.com. Seventeen is today's best-selling magazine for young women, reaching more than 13 million readers every month. © Hearst Communications Inc. Dist. by King Features Syndicate Inc.