It is that time of the year that housing applications are due and apartment leases are being signed for the summer and next school year. Choosing who you are going to live with may not seem like a big deal, but in all honesty, it may very well be one of the biggest and most important decision you will ever make. The decision will affect your attitude, grades and also your social life even if you do not realize it.
A roommate doesn’t need to be your best friend in the whole world. Honestly, rooming with your “BFF” could be one of the worst decisions of all time. A true best friend is a valuable thing to have and risking it over dumb things that can and will happen while living together is just not worth it. Your roommate needs to be someone you trust, but not someone that you would absolutely die over losing as a true friend. Many lifelong friendships come out of rooming together, but going in with one is not a good idea.
Not everyone is cut out to be a roommate or a good roommate at least. It takes a lot of patience and understanding to handle sharing a living space with another person. There are many people in this world who honestly just do not care about anyone else’s feelings besides their own. These people are the perfect example of someone that would not be a good roommate.
A roommate needs to know that they share responsibilities and owe you and/or the other people living with them respect. Privacy, helping with the chores, and understanding are a few qualities that are necessary in making up a good roommate. No one is perfect but there is someone out there that you can at least pretend to tolerate while living with.
Finding someone that is compatible in the way we live is also necessary in choosing a roommate. The goal is to choose someone that will not add stress to your life. If you’re a neat freak, you’re going to need to find a neat freak just like yourself or your life is going to be hell. If you don’t like country music, chances are having Taylor Swift’s fan club President as a roommate is not going to work out to well for either of you. Choosing a roommate can be compared to choosing a significant other to be quite honest. The only problem is getting out of a lease is usually not as easy as getting out of a relationship. You can’t just break up one day and make sure you never see them again. Getting out of a lease is one of the hardest things to do these days. Splitting up from a roommate could quite possibly be the hardest break-up a person can go through.
You also have the responsibility of making yourself the ideal roommate. Making schedules for bathroom time, finding out when studying time is necessary, and when your roommate is wanting to socialize is a way to make both of your lives easier. It is way too hard and way too stressful to not do this.
Fights will happen and that is the last thing that needs to be happening while dealing with the stress of a college student’s life.
You also should make sure to keep a positive attitude. Don’t take your frustrations out on your roommate just because they are there the most. Just remember, just like you, you’re roommate does not want to dread going home every day. If instances come up, try to be the bigger person; talk it out. Screaming, nasty looks and talking behind your roommates back are not going to get them to clean the bathroom or take out the trash more often.
When we start college, we have typically never lived anywhere else besides under our parents’ roof. The first time on our own can be very scary and make anyone feel unsure. Know that if you are moving in with someone they are more than likely going through the exact same thing as you; be understanding and helpful. Living with someone is the best opportunity to make a great friend.
So much happens throughout a school year that could bring any two people together. And hey, if you honestly just do not want to take the road of friendship, pretend to be nice. The meaner you are, the meaner your roommate will be in retaliation.
Stress, arguing and backstabbing are three things that are not needed in the household of college students. Just put on your happy face and pretend your roommate is your “BFF” and your school year will be sure to be filled with zero drama, well at least when you go home.