Top 10 Unwritten College Rules

College is a unique experience, for sure. There are some things that are self-explanatory, and if you don't do them, you might be seen as odd.

These are some unwritten rules that you should probably know about so your roommates and classmates don't give you the side-eye stare.

1. Clean up after yourself

   Nobody likes living with a total slob. Don't be that person who doesn't clean up their messes or throw their trash out.

   If you make a mess in the community area, then pick it up. If you spill something anywhere, then clean it up. This includes the bathroom too. If you leave hair in the sink from shaving, make sure you clean it up. Make sure you leave the public spaces as you found them. It's not that hard to be a decent human being.

2. Ask your roommate(s) before inviting people over

   If you want to invite a friend over to your dorm or apartment, definitely check in and mention it to all your roommates the day before. This is especially true if you're bringing over your boyfriend or girlfriend and your roommates don't know the person very well.

   Keep in mind that it's their living space too, and it's important to respect their boundaries. A little communication beforehand goes a long way for everyone's sake. Also, don't do the "deed" with your boyfriend or girlfriend while your roommate is in the room. Again, communicate with them beforehand.

3. Take care of your laundry when it's done

   If you're in a college dorm building, chances are that you'll have a community laundry room. For some reason, it's hard for people to understand the concept of laundry rooms, but it's very straightforward. When your laundry is done, go take it out and move it to the dryer or take it back to your room.

   Don't be that one person who doesn't attend to their laundry, because whether you like it or not, people WILL move your laundry either on top of the machine or just in the corner out of the way. There are 50 to 100+ people in a typical dorm building that all need to do laundry. It's literally not that hard to set a reminder on your phone. Just don't be that person who hogs the washers and dryers.

4. Don't sit in someone's spot

   Assigned seats really aren't a thing in college. Your professors really won't care where you sit. However, after the first week of classes, wherever you sit essentially becomes your unassigned assigned seat for the semester, so choose your seat wisely.

   Also, don't be that person who sits in someone else's spot. I promise you that'll instantly irritate that person. I don't know what it is, but some people are very superstitious and particular about where they sit. Don't throw off their routine. Just don't. Nobody likes that one person.

   Just a general rule: if you're going to screw around on your laptop, stick to the back so the people who actually need to do well in the class can stay up front.

5. Respect those in the library

   This is really self-explanatory, but I'll say it anyway: be respectful in the library.

   If someone is studying or doing an assignment, respect their space and time. Don't be distracting or obnoxious and loud. I really shouldn't have to explain this one further. The library is meant to be a quiet studying space.

   On that note, if you're using a community computer or printer, use it for what you need it for and then go. Don't hog limited community resources. Also, don't steal other people's stuff. Basically, if you see someone minding their own business, just leave them alone. Don't bother anyone.

6. Respect your roommate(s)' schedule

   Pretty self-explanatory, but respect your roommate's sleep schedule. Don't be that guy who stays up until 3 AM playing video games on a school night. If your roommate is trying to sleep, then let them sleep. Turn your music down and the big lights off. Get a smaller desk lamp if you actually need it.

   Don't blast music at full volume late at night. Use AirPods or headphones or something. Just because you have a class that was canceled doesn't mean everyone else does too. You don't know, your roommate might have a big presentation or exam coming up.

   If you get up before your roommate, try to get ready and be quiet about it.

7. Don't raise your hand in the middle of class and ask to go to the bathroom

   In high school, I know this is a bigger deal where you have to get a hall pass and ask for permission to leave the classroom for any reason. That is not the case in college.

   In all honesty, your professor really doesn't care. If you have to go to the bathroom or take a phone call, just go. Most of the time, your professors don't really care what you're doing in class as long as you're not distracting your peers. Honestly, asking to go to the bathroom is considered distracting since you're interrupting the lecture.

8. Don't talk about high school

   If you're a freshman, I know it's tempting, especially if you felt like a "big fish" at your high school. Now you're in a much larger lake, and it's not like high school at all. Don't wear your high school gear, including your letterman jacket. I can promise you that nobody cares about your high school at all.

   Your high school days are over. It's time to move on already. If all you do is talk about your high school, then it says that A) you're a freshman, and B) you peaked in high school.

   Now, if you're talking in a group and high school comes up naturally, then you can talk about it. That's fine, that's one thing. But don't continuously brag about your high school experience.

9. Skip class if you want, just do so wisely

   College isn't like high school. Nine times out of ten, your professor does not care if you show up or not. You're paying the school to be there either way.

   If you're missing class for a legitimate reason, then email your professors. But otherwise, if you're gonna skip class, just skip. They aren't going to get you in trouble. Just be warned that you'll be responsible for making up any assignments and reviewing the lecture content.

   You're an adult. It's your responsibility to catch up on everything if you do miss. Also, if you skip too many times, you may automatically fail the class. So yes, you can skip if you're not feeling well or something, but use your skips wisely.

10. Don't ask a lecture question with less than 10 minutes left in class

    There's this unwritten rule that when class is almost over, you shouldn't ask questions. When class is over, class is over.

    Don't be that one person who holds everyone else up by asking a question right before class ends. This isn't basketball. There are no buzzer beaters. If you have a burning question, ask it earlier in the lecture or wait until after class or office hours. Professors are usually happy to answer it then. We don't have all day. A lot of people have other classes or obligations to attend to. Be mindful of your peers.