Tips For Choosing A College Roommate
The Living Situation
If you are a student who is off to college, then you are embarking on one of the most what could be one of the best times of your life. This is a time of life that may also be challenging because you have to learn how to focus on your studies, get serious when it is needed, and balance fun time with study time.
Most college students have to live with a roommate at some point in the course of their college journey. Some students have had great experiences with roommates, and others have had experiences that were not so great.
Your experience will have much to do with choosing your roommate. Whether you are living on or off campus, if you are going to be living with a roommate, then you do well to find a roommate who will enhance your college experience. What helpful tips can you use to find a good roommate?
1 Figure Out What Is Most Important To You
Before looking for a roommate, you must know what things are most important to you. Do you value your alone time? Do you want a roommate who is also a friend? Are you OK with sharing your items, or would you prefer that each of you keep things separate?
You are wise to make a list of priorities before taking on a roommate. This way, you will know what qualities you do not want in a roommate and what qualities you prefer.
2 Find A Responsible Roommate
Most people don’t want to live with a roommate who is not responsible, but it is not always easy to know how a person will behave at home. A great idea would be to try to move out with somebody you already know. You have a general idea of their track record when you know someone.
If you are going to be living with someone you do not know well, you might want to ask the person some questions about their expectations for the living arrangement. If the person had roommates before you, their previous roommates would be a great resource. If this is the first time the person is moving out, you will have to try your best to get honest answers from your prospective roommate.
3 Ask Around
To get a roommate who will be easy to get along with and reliable, you do well to ask people if they know of someone looking for a roommate. If you get any suggestions, you can ask those people if they know the person personally or if they have just heard of the person. If they know of the person, you can get an idea of their character from their reference.
4 Post An Ad
Whether you are living on campus or in furnished student apartments off campus, there may be an area for you to post an ad in or around the apartment. It is also highly likely that your college has an online bulletin board or posted somewhere where you can place an ad for a roommate.
If you get several interested individuals, you can ask them questions about their expectations with a roommate. You can also ask them for references from prior roommates or family.
5 Give Yourself Time
You want to start looking for a roommate. The last thing that you want is to be desperate for a roommate. When you are desperate, you will take anyone willing to move in with you, which could be a disaster.
When you give yourself time to find a suitable roommate, you can vet each person you are interested in living with and make an informed decision about your housemate without feeling pressured or stressed.
Get A Great Roommate
You want your experience in college to be memorable, but you do not want it to be a disaster. You have to do your utmost to be a good roommate yourself so that you do not ruin anyone else’s experience.
You want to make a wise choice when finding your new roommate, so do some work beforehand to avoid any issues or misunderstandings. With open questions and honest conversation, you can find a suitable housemate who is responsible, respectful, and calm.