10:00 p.m.: You've finished your schoolwork for evening. You neatly stack your books on your desk, fold and put away clothing, shut off lights, slip into your neatly made bed, and drift off to sleep.

11:30 p.m.: You're jolted out of your peaceful dream by loud heavy metal and bright lights. Could it be morning already? No such luck. Rather, it seems your party-loving roommate has just arrived home from -- surprise, surprise -- a party (for sixth night in a row) and is just now starting her homework. You watch in amazement (and frustration) as she simultaneously powers up her computer, dances to music filling your small room, and discards her clothes and books on floor. "Hey!" she yells over music, noticing you for first time. "What's up?" she asks, seemingly unaware that you were fast asleep.

You flop back onto your bed, put your pillow over your head and groan. "How am I ever going to get through year?" you wonder.

Scenes like this are not unusual. Getting along with a roommate is a real concern, and one you may be facing for first time. If you're a bookworm who goes to bed early and your roomie is a party animal who just gets going at midnight, sharing same quarters may not be easy. But that doesn't mean two of you can't get along.

The Good News Perhaps most important lessons you'll learn in college are ones you learn outside classroom. Figuring out how to live with someone involves respecting differences, sharing, being courteous, accepting others for who they are, and much more. You'll find that sharing space builds character.

Alabama No statutory limit

Alaska Two months' rent, except where rent exceeds $2,000 per month

Arizona One and one-half months' rent (unless tenant voluntarily agrees to pay more)

Arkansas Two months' rent

California Two months' rent (unfurnished, no waterbed); two and one-half months' rent (unfurnished, tenant has waterbed); three months' rent(furnished, no waterbed); three and one-half months' rent (furnished, tenant has waterbed)

Colorado No statutory limit

Connecticut Two months' rent (tenant under 62 years of age); one month's rent (tenant 62 years of age or older)

Delaware One month's rent on leases for one year or more; no limit for month-to-month rental agreements

District of Columbia One month's rent

Florida No statutory limit

Georgia No statutory limit

Hawaii One month's rent

Idaho No statutory limit

Illinois No statutory limit

Indiana No statutory limit

Iowa Two months' rent

Kansas One month's rent (unfurnished, no pets); one and one-half months' rent (unfurnished with pets or furnished with no pets)

Kentucky No statutory limit

Louisiana 30 days' rent

Maine Two months' rent

Maryland Two months' rent or $50, whichever is greater

Massachusetts Two months' rent

Michigan One and one-half months' rent

Minnesota No statutory limit

Mississippi No statutory limit