The honeymoon phase has come to a close and roommate bickering is at its highest. The CA’s are pulling out roommate agreements and you are about ready to pull your hair out.

Yes, I know you have been living with this absolutely unreasonable person since August and you just cannot wait until Winter Break so you can move. But be careful: Getting along with your roommate might be more important than you think.

A study done by Pathways to Prosperity in February 2011 found that 44 percent of college students have not obtained their bachelor’s degree after six years. Why? Well you know more than anyone that college students have a lot of stressors: class, homework, studying, paying bills, working and…roommate issues. After hearing numbers like that, it’s no wonder that close to half of all students do not finish college.

However, it’s not just important to get along with your roommate; opening your mind and taking the time to learn something will also benefit you.

With so many backgrounds represented at NIU, chances are that you and your roommate are extremely different. As a person in search of an education, it is your responsibility to try to understand those differences and learn about a life that you have never experienced.

When I first met my roommate, I was beyond surprised at some of the things he told me. Being from another race, culture and area of the country, I couldn’t even imagine some of his experiences.

Learning about your roommate opens up am opportunity to understand just one more thing about the world and perhaps a thing or two about yourself.

I, personally, have learned loads about myself just by living with another person. I have learned that I need to work on my organization. I get distracted very easily and pretty much anyone can beat me at 2K12.

And although I have a lot of things to work on, I am grateful to my roommate for helping me discover my weaknesses.

So instead of bickering about how long friends can be over or who locked out whom, have a conversation, crack a joke and take the initiative to understand another person. This is the time to assume risks because who knows, your roommate could become your best friend.

So, in the end, my advice in regard to your roommate issues is to open your mind. Don’t sweat the small stuff and try to learn something. After all, isn’t that why we came to college?