Flickr user Residorm Öğrenci Yurdu
After months (and even years) of planning for college—researching, visiting, applying, choosing a major, waiting for acceptance letters, applying for financial aid, and committing to a school—you might be forgetting one really important factor: finding your freshman year roommate.
Whether you’re excited to have a freshman roommate or you’re dreading it, don’t stress. We’ll guide you through how to choose a roommate and some helpful tips to help you avoid conflicts and have the best freshman year possible.
Choosing a Roommate
Your dorm room is going to be your home for the next year. So, the last thing you want is to share it with someone you don’t get along with. Before technology was so prominent, you either chose to live with someone from high school or you were randomly assigned a roommate from the college. But the great thing about technology is that there’s so much possibility of connecting with someone. Now, so many schools use social media to help give you control over who you live with.
When looking for a roommate online, make sure you introduce yourself, share your major, where you’re from, dorm preference (if you have one), a picture, and maybe a few interesting facts! If your school doesn’t have a private social media group you can join, consider looking at third-party sites like RoomSurf, RoomSync, or StarRez.
The Benefits of Having a Roommate
College might be the first time you live with someone other than your family. And while you might be nervous about the potential challenges that could come from it, there are also a few important benefits to factor in:
- Company and Connection: Sometimes the loneliness and homesickness can sink in, especially during those first few weeks at school. Having a roommate to get you company can help. Remember, this is their first time at college too, so it can be nice to have someone to navigate the campus together, watch a movie, or even just vent about a tough day.
- Shared Experiences: You and your roommate might like to do some of the same things. This doesn’t mean you have to be best friends, but liking the same books or sports could give you something to do or talk about.
- Personal Growth: Regardless of who you live with, you’ll be learning how to live in a small space with another person. This can help you grow invaluable life skills, such as communication, compromise, and conflict resolution.
Overcoming Challenges and Setting Yourself Up for Success
We get it, it’s a small space (we’re talking less than 200 square feet) and it’s not always easy to live with someone—especially someone you may not know. Challenges are inevitable and it can all be overwhelming, to say the least.
However, it’s important to set you and your roommate up for a successful and positive year. After all, this room should be your safe place, where you can eat, sleep, study, and relax. Before you even move in, here are some tips for maintaining a good relationship with your new roommate:
Tip 1: Get to Know Each Other
Be open to getting to know one another. Whether you meet up in person for coffee or send an email or text, telling them a bit about yourself can break the ice and help you find things in common. You can go over your major, dream career, hobbies, interests, or even a nickname you go by. It doesn’t have to be a whole essay about yourself, but just a few talking points are nice to have for either party. Who knows, you both might like the same movies and can bond over that.
Tip 2: Exchange Contact Info
Most colleges will share your roommate’s college email with you so the two of you can get in contact. Send a quick email with your phone number so you can connect easily or find each other on move-in day. Having each other’s contact information can also be helpful in case you need to coordinate schedules, like letting them know you’ll be away for the weekend or making plans to study together.
Tip 3: Figure Out Who’s Bringing What
While you may have been prepping what to bring to your dorm all summer, so has your roommate. This is why it’s super important to discuss who’s bringing what to the dorm room. You won’t have a lot of room, and you definitely don’t need two mini-fridges, futons, or TVs. Instead, decide who will bring certain items to the room and try to keep it even.
Tip 4: Brainstorm Room Decor
Decorating your living space can be a great roommate bonding experience, but sometimes style preferences clash. Before hauling a ton of posters, lights, rugs, and curtains with you, have a chat with your new roommate about creating a space that reflects both of your styles. Maybe comfort and warmth are a priority? If so, the two of you can decide on a plush rug, twinkle lights, and reading lamps for late-night study sessions. This way, your space feels like home to both of you.
Tip 5: Discuss Allergies/Health Concerns
Another important detail to cover is health concerns. Many students bring snacks and food during move-in day, so if you have a serious peanut allergy, it’s important to let your roommate know ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.
Tip 6: Establish Expectations and Boundaries Early
While you’ll go over a “roommate contract” with your RA sometime during the first week, it can be nice to establish some rules ahead of time. Discussing things like quiet hours, food/supply sharing policies, temperature preferences, cleaning schedules, and the frequency of having friends over upfront can help you reduce conflict down the road. Living with someone means being flexible, so stay positive and focus on finding solutions that work for both of you.
Freshman year is a time for a lot of firsts, including having a roommate. Try not to stress though, there are plenty of things you can do to set yourself up for success—from being thoughtful about who you choose as your roommate to establishing respectful ground rules from the start. You never know, you and your roommate might become close friends for life!
Ready to find the perfect roommate, but still haven’t found the perfect college? Use College Raptor’s College Match tool to get matched with colleges based on your preferences, majors, test scores, and more. You might just find your dream school—and roommate—in the process!
