Living situation No. 1: “The Odd Couple” Syndrome

You’re Felix Unger. They are Oscar Madison. Or vice versa. Either way, there’s a difference in cleaning morals. Dorms can be breeding grounds for some of the most heinous and vile specimen, and they live in the bed five feet over. Maybe you have a mild case of obsessive compulsive disorder and like things the way you like them. There’s only so much you can do with someone who is naturally messy. Then again, having clothes on the floor and papers in disarray is completely different than having a small biological ecosphere festering under the bed.

If it just gets to be bothersome to the olfactory system and talking doesn’t work, invest in Febreeze, spray your sheets with perfume or cologne, and find an incredibly hospitable, good-smelling friend. If you’re the messy roommate, beware of an over-zealous cleaner. Leah, a sophomore chemistry major, recalled a similar situation from her freshman year.

“I had a friend whose roommate obsessively cleaned the room with rubbing alcohol to the point where she, my friend, had to move out,” she said.

Living situation No. 2: Mister Mooch and Senorita Steal

So you’re friendly with your roommate. One might even say you’re friends. Does this entitle them to access to all of your things? Sure, a spritz of perfume or an occasional squeeze of toothpaste isn’t such a big deal.

Your roommate may take your kind gesture a little too far, maybe even straight up stealing. You could go the mature route of talking to the person, or maybe even an resident assistant. Or you could get creative like Zach, a junior psychology major, did.

“I was pretty sure my roommate was using my toothbrush, which is gross, so I got a new one that I hid and dunked the other one in the toilet,” he said.

Living situation No. 3: The forced triple that the school didn’t authorize

Your roommate comes home from Downtown one night with a random “friend.” Inconvenient, but not out of the ordinary in a college setting. Unfortunately for you, this “friend” doesn’t leave. It becomes immensely overcrowded with the extra guest, staying over day-in and day-out, not to mention the awkward moments at night. Three was a crowd for Mary, a junior biology major.

“I came into my room one day and my roommate’s boyfriend was sleeping completely naked. My roommate was nowhere to be found,” she said. “Another time I walked in on them doing something on my bed. I don’t know what, I turned around and ran.”

Living Situation No. 4: He’s just not that into you

She doesn’t steal your clothes without asking. He doesn’t “sexile” you by bringing girls home every night. But for some reason, may it be differences in morals and values, upbringing or interests, you two just don’t click. News flash: that will happen. You aren’t necessarily going to be paired with your platonic soul mate.

Here’s the thing: that doesn’t automatically make your living situation a bad one. You’re forced to join clubs, interact with strangers and do things other than play “Call of Duty 4” with 12-year-olds in Midwestern states. Just because you’re not friends doesn’t mean you can’t be civil. Tom, a junior anthropology and history major, said it’s best to stay courteous but not close.

“My roommates and I basically keep to ourselves. But we’re all friendly,” he said.