We've all been woken up in the middle of the night by the most obnoxious of sounds. Whether it's because of cars flying by with blaring systems, 30 drunk guys screaming the Eagles chant outside your window or, worst of all, your roommate viciously clearing his sinuses, we all share these experiences.

Learning to live with someone and their shortcomings is a challenge we all must face as college students. Some Penn Staters are counting down the seconds until fall break, the first day in over a month to finally get away from the reason your room reeks of Cooler Ranch Doritos and sweaty socks: the roommate.

Being with people you've never met, or even friends, can be difficult. Small things, from throwing out the week-old tofu tarts in the fridge to wiping up a spill with a dress shirt, become annoying to friends and family. But good friends and family laugh about it and move on because part of living together means tolerating stupidity.

Those who are lucky enough to get a fitting roommate tend to get a good head start in meeting new people and making connections. On the other hand, having a bad roommate can prove to be a great thing, too. Forcing yourself to leave your dorm and find people who you can associate with is part of the Penn State experience. College is about a lot more than spending time in your apartment or dorm.

For a lot of people who do not consider their experience at Penn State to be a good one, many of them attribute their problems to the people with whom they lived. When we look back on our time at Penn State, we certainly don't want to only remember the bad times. Now is our chance to change that; now is our chance to redefine the relationship with have with our roommates.

Some are quick to say that Penn State should do more to match up people who are compatible with one another. Other schools such as Hanover College and Arizona State University provide students with an exhaustive, detailed survey or an online forum to let students find the perfect roommate.

But who's to say that a simple survey doesn't match up compatible roommates? People with opposite personalities don't always attract, and some people can't seem to get along with anyone. There's a fine line between being mean and just wanting to have a duel with your roommate, like trying to knock each other off of beds with wet towels American Gladiator-style.

Even the busiest of students comes home every once in a while, and if the people to whom they come home are not particularly welcoming, that makes all the difference in the world. We don't live with people because we need them or are dependent upon them to help us survive; we live with people because we like their company and need their half of the rent.

Above all else, it's important to make a diligent effort to be a decent person in any housing situation. It's easy to let your roommate situation become intense. Sure, fighting over who ate the last of the cookie dough or who forgot to refill the Brita pitcher is acceptable from time to time. The last thing anyone needs, though, is a caldron full of problems stewing in their room. Even the smallest of men require plenty of space.

Communication, even in its simplest forms, can make living with a pain a much more enjoyable experience. Some of the most awkward moments of have in college are had where you don't talk to the people with whom you live. Having conversations about religion or politics can be worthwhile if the right moment naturally occurs. Learn it's alright to disagree, and don't let your differences affect your relationship.

Lastly, have a little hygiene. Splashing some sink water on your body doesn't count as a shower. Use soap. Wash your hands. Do laundry more than once a semester. And perhaps most importantly, don't leave dirty clothes soaking in the communal sink all day.

In time, you should realize that you and your roommate aren't perfect. Learning to coexist and not be the best of friends may work out just right. You may want to get involved in similar activities, relax with other people, or just have time alone. And that's fine. That's the way it should be.