Sharing a space with someone can be quite a learning experience, whether with a friend or a complete stranger. While it may be full of good times, there will likely be some quirks that you and your roommate will have to deal with. To keep things smooth and calm, here are some unspoken rules that you both may be thinking about but won’t always say out loud.

1. Turn off that alarm!

It’s one thing to set an alarm early, but setting the alarm every 10 minutes for an hour? That’s a lot, especially when only one person ends up awake. Try setting one that you know you will wake up to, or try a vibrating alarm that keeps noise to a minimum.

2. Music and moods need balance.

From EDM at midnight to country at dawn, everyone has their own playlist. Before you ruin it, remember that headphones can save your life. At the end of the day, keeping your roommate’s vibe in mind can save you from an unexpected concert review.

3. Guests are great, but informative text messages are better.

Have you ever walked into your room to find a stranger lounging on your bed or a spontaneous study group sprawled on the floor? A heads-up text message can save everyone some awkwardness and give you both a chance to prepare.

4. It is better to close the doors than open them.

Leave in a hurry? Take a moment to close the door. A little courtesy goes a long way and prevents someone from having to stand up and shut their mouth for you.

5. The plates are not decorative.

Those coffee cups and snack wrappers should not be displayed. Throw them away and avoid the clutter that can quickly make a shared space feel cluttered. Seriously, it’s not pleasant to walk into a room that smells like yesterday’s food.

6. The trash can is not Jenga.

When the bin is full, if you place another item on top, even though you should probably take it out, that’s your cue to take it out. Just have a time so you and your roommate can disconnect instead of trying to play Jenga when it gets full.

7. Temperatures are not one-sided.

Some like it cold, others like it hot. If you’re adjusting the temperature, let your roommate know. That way, you can avoid temperature tug-of-war and find a comfortable middle ground. There is no need to open and close the window a hundred times.

8. Loans work best when you ask for them.

Have you ever seen your roommate wear your clothes? If in doubt, ask before borrowing. It keeps trust alive, especially when it comes to something your roommate cares about.

9. Lights on? Not for everyone.

If your roommate is trying to sleep, consider switching to a desk lamp or dimmer light. They’ll appreciate it more than trying to fall asleep under what looks like a stadium spotlight. Seriously, the lighting in the bedrooms makes you feel like you’re in the dentist’s office.

10. Leaving your shoes outside turns us into not-so-secret spies of the night.

I understand. We all like to take off our shoes after a long day. But please don’t leave them outside, so I’ll have to jump around and inevitably trip when I get back in the middle of the night. Putting away our shoes can save us both from face-planting on the ground.