Finding a College Roommate
Starting college is an exciting nerve racking experience, and one of the first big decisions you make is finding a roommate. Whether you are moving to another country or just a few blocks away, choosing the right person to share your dorm living space with can make a major difference in your college experience. While some schools opt to assign your roommates randomly, most allow the student a chance to find a roommate on their own. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make the process smooth and successful.
Before you start looking for a roommate, think about your own personal habits and preferences. Do you stay up late or do you get up early? Are you an introvert or extrovert? Understanding your lifestyle and preferences will help you figure out what kind of roommate would be the right fit for you. Senior Helen Pineda states “You should be asking your roommate questions about sleep schedule, cleanness, and lifestyle”.
Many colleges offer online platforms or even instagram groups where incoming students can connect with each other. These are wonderful places to introduce yourself, learn about others, and start conversations. Some schools even have roommate-matching surveys to pair students based on compatible lifestyles and routines. Make sure you take your time filing these out thoroughly and truthfully.
When talking to your potential roommates, going beyond basic interests and talking about daily routines, sleep schedules, study habits, noise, guest expectations will help you find a roommate that is the best fit for you. It’s imperative that you discuss how you would handle having disagreements and how comfortable or uncomfortable you are with sharing food or other things like clothes. These conversations can help prevent future misunderstandings and issues.
The key in finding a good roommate isn’t finding someone who is exactly the same as you, but instead someone whose habits and routines work well with your own. Being honest about who you are and what you’re looking for, treating the other person with respect will help you find your perfect roommate.
You don’t necessarily need to be best friends with your roommate, although you should try to achieve a relationship on the foundation of mutual respect and communication. Sometimes, great roommate pairings happen between two people with very different interests who can get along well in a shared space. Finding a roommate can feel overwhelming and scary, but taking the time to connect with someone who shares the same lifestyle can lead to a more positive and fulfilling relationship and college experience.
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