In the past few years, college housing has changed significantly. Now, there are more options than ever before when it comes to what type of dorm to stay in, but prices have risen correspondingly. As such, it’s more important than ever before to be educated about dorm life before entering college, so as to get the best value for your money. With that in mind, here are a few critical tips for making the most out of your dorm experience.

1. Choose Your Roommates Carefully

As detailed by Huffington Post, more and more colleges are offering multiple options when it comes to roommates. Most people, especially those who plan on rooming with their high school friends, find the standard two-person room suits them perfectly. One roommate will rarely be difficult to deal with and provides a critical compatriot for early on in one’s college career.

Some will be uncomfortable sharing their space with another person, and may want to start out with a single or suite-style room. The latter offers the perfect mix of privacy and social interaction, making it a great option if you can afford the often high price tag. Finally, some dorms will have “quads,” or four-person rooms, which are great for extremely social individuals or those on a budget. Don’t expect much in the way of privacy.

2. Neighbors are Important

Consider carefully who you will be living alongside, even outside of roommates. As Cliffs Notes details, there are a number of tell-tale signs that will enable you to distinguish party dorms from quiet dorms. While the differences are fairly self-explanatory, make sure to put some thought into it beforehand, as choosing the wrong one can put a real damper on your freshman year.

Almost all universities offer some form of freshmen only or freshmen majority housing, which can be perfect for those just learning the ropes. Finally, consider Greek housing as an option. While expensive, those who thrive in fraternity or sorority environments will find much to love.

3. Special Options

Modern college dormitories have a number of special options and accommodations to suit anyone’s needs. Many schools offer off-campus residency at discounted rates to students with financial or work-needs. While a great way to save money, off-campus housing also has the advantage of more freedom, and many allow pets or items prohibited on campus.

Those of non-binary gender identities will appreciate the gender-neutral housing offered by some schools, which assign students to rooms based purely upon their personalities. Finally, students who are uncomfortable with drugs or alcohol can request substance-free dorms, which impose harsher restrictions on those items.

While the sheer variety of housing options can be overwhelming for any first-time college student, the good news is that no choice is permanent. If you find that you don’t like having a roommate, can’t stand your neighbors or have other issues, don’t be afraid to choose a different option next semester until something works out.