I was hoping to get some ideas on how to approach your new college roommate about your diabetes.

What are some good guidelines?

I think it is important to explain to a new roommate what your routines are, and why you might have to do them.  Explaining to them about how important it is to keep your insulin and supplies stored.

I also thought it was important to explain to them about lows and what they can do to help.  Also to inform them that you might keep emergency foods or drinks to help with lows and they should use them.

What are some other things?

I'm with Bill on the food thing.  Make sure you explain to your roommate that certain foods or drinks are off limits if these are things you use to treat a low.  I cannot tell you how many times I went to the fridge to get juice when I was low and my roomies had polished off the juice!  There were quite a few times I was eating spoonfuls of sugar to treat a low, not a tasty way to treat!   Keep in mind some roomies will not really understand why you need these foods/juice and may take them if they are hungry/thirsty.  Keep a stash of Juicy Juice boxes with your socks, they won't think to look there for a drink, hahaha!

I completely agree with you on that.  I've reached for my trusty juices in the refrigerator sometimes too, and have found them missing.  So, I started to keep Hershey kisses (wrapped and in a sandwich baggie) on the shelf in my room.  To treat lows, I just reach over and grab one.  Sometimes M&Ms are easier (no wrapping!) and no one goes into my room without my permission anyway.  Always tasty when I'm feeling sick anyway!

I don't think it's easy to tell a roommate.  They won't know what to expect and will probably not want the responsibility of "watching over you".  It's really important to stress that you're okay MOST of the time, but just might need a little extra help ONCE IN A WHILE.  Stressing that you're pretty much self-sufficient is key- otherwise they may look at you differently.

I had one group of roommates that didn't know much about my diabetes so I never really had a problem.

When I was in college it was hard to get away from all the left over shots I had.  I used to store them in an empty 2 liter bottle of soda (the poor man's way).  So I had to tell my roomies what they where for.  I never got into depth with them about the whole disease thing but did tell them there was certain items that I needed in case of emergency. 

That's all nice, but then when friends of friends stop by and see those juice boxes... odds aren't in your favor.

I think it is important to tell your professors, especially for finals and test taking.  I know that some classes had rules about not having drinks in class and I emailed my professor to let them know I needed some in case of lows.