Beginning college is both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. For many, college is the first time living away from home and taking on new responsibilities. Some even learn how to do laundry for the first time in college!
However, the biggest concern that’s on most freshmen’s minds is, how am I going to live with a roommate?
For the majority of college freshmen, their first year at school is their first time coliving with another person. The prospect of living with a stranger can stir up feelings of both nervousness and excitement. What if I don’t get along with my roommate? What if they don’t like me?
Have no fear, here are a few tips and tricks to know before meeting your college roommate to put your mind at ease!
Utilize your Residential Assistant
The majority of colleges have a Residential Assistant (RA) on each floor of freshman housing. RAs are upperclassmen that live on your assigned floor and are there to help you with the transition to college life. That being said, you must utilize your RA as much as possible; they are there to help, after all!
Be sure to introduce yourself to your RA on move-in day so you know who they are and they know who you are. Your RAs are there for you if you have any questions or concerns about classes, adjusting to campus life, schoolwork, etc. They are also there, most importantly, to help you with your adjustment to coliving with your roommate (or roommates!)
If you have any concerns about your roommate or are having a hard time adjusting to coliving with another person, have a chat with your RA to see if they can offer you any advice. All RAs were college freshmen once, too, so they know exactly what you’re going through.
Choose random roommate selection instead of rooming with someone you know
If you’re going to a college where you have friends or know people there from high school, choose a random roommate selection instead of rooming with someone that you know. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it will help you in the long run.
First, rooming with someone you don’t know will help you to meet new people! It may not be the most comfortable choice at first, but it will help you to expand your circle and make new connections. After all, how will you get to know other people if you don’t connect with others outside your friend circle?
Next, rooming with someone you don’t know will also help to push you out of your comfort zone. It may be awkward living with a stranger at first, but it will help you to gain confidence and it will prepare you for the real world. Who knows, you and your roomi may even become BFFs!
You may not be best friends with your roomi right away, and that’s okay!
As an incoming college student, it’s important not to put too much pressure on your potential roommate relationship. Of course, it would be fantastic to be best friends with your roomi on day one; however, that may not always be the case.
Your roommate doesn’t have to be your BFF, and it may take some time to build a solid relationship with your roomi. Everyone has their own unique personality, and some individuals may take longer to become comfortable with living with a roommate. As long as the two of you are respectful of one another and communicate with each other, you should have a solid roommate relationship!
Remember that if you ever have any issues with your roommate or if you’re thinking of switching to a new roommate, talk to your RA. Sometimes it’s better to face problems head-on and to work your roomi issues out yourself!
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