By Kayla Cross > University of Maryland, College Park

Going to college with your best friend in tow can seem like the perfect opportunity. No matter how far away from home you are, how out of place you feel, or how stressful your classes become, after a long day, coming home to your best friend can be a welcome source of comfort. Or your worst nightmare.

University of Maryland sophomore Liz [Editor’s note: Liz requested that we not use her name in this article.] roomed with her best friend for three months. The problems began after just one. “If I had some friends over after work and she was tired…she wouldn't tell me that she was tired and wanted to go to sleep,” she says. The conflict escalated when Liz overheard her roommate complaining to friends. “Every problem she had with me she was telling them instead of telling me,” she says. Things became worse, but she and her roommate were able to solve their problems through talking about what upset each other. And now, Liz says, “If a problem arises then we bring it up with each other right away before it turns into a huge deal.”

Michael Harding, a junior at Salisbury University, has roomed with his best friend of five years since the start of the semester, and so far they’ve actually only become closer. According to Harding, the secret to making it work is openness and maturity: “Both of us are mature enough to tell each other how it is.” He described his current situation as laid back.  “[It’s] pretty relaxed with the two of us,” he says.

Of course, handling problems is just one way to avoid conflict. Allyn Rose, a junior at University of Maryland, has roomed with her best friend for over a month. Rose emphasized that dedication to friendship is necessary: “If you aren't committed to keeping the relationship strong it could definitely fall apart.”

Salisbury sophomore Kristie Bon has roomed with her three best friends for three semesters now, and she thinks that the familiarity has actually helped the roommates all coexist. Bon says, “We know each other really well and what will bother each other.” Her advice? Find your potential roomie’s biggest flaw, and then, “make sure you can handle it.”