Sign-up for Hillside and Susquehanna communities began this Wednesday, and begins March 19 for those who want to stay in the dorms. So if you’re considering ditching your randomly selected freshman roommate who turned out to eat her own hair and cast voodoo spells on you, now’s the time to do it. But giving unwanted tagalongs the boot may be more challenging than you realize, and choosing an on-campus abode can be a painful and emotionally entangled process that has been known to lead to Jerry Springer-esque conflict and severed friendships. So if you want to get through this without hair pulling and with your emotions intact, read on to learn the dos and don’ts of the campus housing rat race.

Avoiding Conflicts: Dos and Don’ts

DO read through the sign-up instructions.

Make sure you know and understand all the rules and priorities. Mark sign-up dates and times in your planner and make sure either you or your prospective roommates or suitemates are going to be on time and prepared with all the paperwork. Be organized.

DON’T leave your current roommate(s) in the dark.

If you’re planning on living with other friends next year, talk to your current cohabitants in advance about your situation. Make sure they understand their options and can form their own plans. Help each other out.

DO try to stay in the same community.

If you didn’t hate your dorm experience over the past year, it’s probably worth trying to stay in the same building or community. This is quickest and easiest way to deal with housing. Signing up for the room you currently occupy ‘ assuming it’s not designated freshmen-only, and you’re a freshman ‘ gives you the highest priority, and you can even bring in current residents of your building without a problem.

DO hook up with those BU scholars.

Does your freshman friend have 32 credits? Well then, you know he’s a keeper. Remember that credit hours determine where your group stands in line to fill up a suite. So, signing up with an upperclassman, or someone who has higher standing than you, can up your chances of getting into your choice of accommodations.

DON’T get too bent out of shape about making new friends.

Chances are that you won’t be able to live in the dorm of your dreams (if there even is such a thing in Binghamton) and still live with all your best friends, too. Don’t worry too much about living with ‘randoms,’ as they might turn out to be really cool. Just think, by the next housing sign-up sessions come around, you can probably smirk at those frustrated freshmen while you get to pick and choose where to go. Always think positive.

DO consider moving off-campus

Don’t care for all the headaches and broken relationships that come about with housing drama? Moving off campus can be an easier, less expensive alternative. Even if you’ve already paid the $200 housing deposit, you can still get a refund by filling out a form at the Office of Residential Life. Many apartment communities such as University Plaza, Hayes and The Meadows are all located at a walkable distance from campus. But for an experience that’s as close to real life as BU provides, you can even move to a house Downtown ‘ and live with as many as seven or more other people. Even if you don’t drive, there’s always the bus.