Savana
What is the best way to go about choosing a roommate?
I am a very easy going person, and get along with most everybody. However, I like things clean and neatly organized. As I think about going off to college next year, I was wondering if you had any advice on choosing a roommate that best relates to me? I want to have a good college experience, and want to enjoy my roommate. Any advice? #college-advice
3 answers
Jennifer Paschal
Jennifer’s Answer
This is a great question!
It is important that you get along well with your roommate and I agree with all that was said in the other comment here! I would also say that it is okay not to be best friends with your roommate. I went into my freshman year thinking I would become life long friends with my roommate. While I was friends with my roommates I was never really best friends. This was mostly because I chose roommates that had different majors than me and different interests so I could meet new people with different outlooks on life.
My university had a roommate profile where you put in things like your sleep cycle, your cleanliness habits, your major, etc and it showed you people who were similar to your profile and allowed you to contact them at their school email. That was how I found both of my roommates and allowed me to room with someone who had the same habits as I did. I am not sure if other universities have anything like this, but I would keep my eye open for it.
Best of luck!
Lillian Wang, LMSW
Lillian’s Answer
Definitely make sure you find someone who is also clean and organized because your day-to-day life will be so much harder if you don't. Some people won't admit they are messy, so any answers like "oh, I am generally clean but I don't mind a mess" may be hiding the fact that they are actually very messy.
Ask your potential roommates about their sleeping habits as well. When do they go to bed and when do they wake up? Do they snore? Do they wake up easy or sleep like a rock? Do they wake up to their alarm on the first ring?
Does your roommate like throwing parties at your place? Are they an extrovert or introvert? How often do they anticipate wanting to bring people over? Do they have a boyfriend/girlfriend that they want to bring around all the time?
Outside of basic living habits, you might want to ask yourself (and the potential roommate) whether or not you want to have a roommate that's also your friend or a roommate that just happens to exist in the same living space as you. If you're also looking for friendship, make sure they are too, and see if you have any common hobbies, interests, classes, etc.
