You’ve probably heard horror stories about roommates, but don’t let that scare you. If you have a friend in mind that is going to the same school, many colleges will let you choose your own roommates.
If you don’t already have someone in mind, you still have nothing to worry about. Many people have college roommates who become lifelong friends; this is much more likely than having a horrible roommate experience. There are some things you do to ensure a good time in your dorm room.
First of all, when filling out the application, be honest about what kind of person you are and what kind of person you think you will be compatible with. Colleges try to do their best to match up the right roommates, but they can only help you if you are honest up front.
There are also online services that help you find a compatible roommate at your college of choice. One such service is EasyRoommate.com which boasts as being the #1 College Roommate Finder. Definitely check this out and see with who you can be matched.
When you first meet your roommate, set some ground rules that are agreeable to everyone. If you need absolute quiet to study, say so before it becomes an issue. Communication is the key to solving most roommate problems, and doing it early and often is your best line of defense.
Finally, if you try and try and it simply doesn’t work out, accept it and move on. If you can finish the year out, do so, but if you absolutely must find a replacement, don’t be afraid to let your college know. You can find a college roommate that will be an almost perfect match, but remember, sometimes it doesn’t happen on the first try.
