How to Select a College Roommate?

If you are having troubles getting along with your roommate or if you need to find a new one, there are some things you need to take into consideration, before making the decision.

Compatible Personalities:

If you are an easy going, mellow, relaxed kind of person you may not be able to handle a drama queen that well. That friend that is so fun to hang out with and share their heart breaking stories about how the teachers is out to get him/her only because he/she is always late might be fun for a few minutes a day but it will turn into a nightmare if living together.

College Dreams:

It is wise to look for someone that wants to have the same college experience as you. If for you, College is a place of learning and bettering yourself as a person, you are less likely to agree with the lifestyle of someone that thinks that college is your last slumber party before becoming a responsible young adult.

Again, even that friend that is always pushing your boundaries and makes you do things you never thought you would, might be the wrong roommate for you. It is true, you have fun with him/her, but not on a daily basis. Remember you are the same as you have always been and even so College is for learning and exploration it is also the foundation of your future life; living with someone that you would have to battle with in order to get your schoolwork done is not a good idea.

Schedule:

Someone that has your same major is a good idea. It means that from the get go you guys have something in common and can share experiences about teachers, classes, projects, and dreams about your future. What is not such a good idea is to pick someone that has you same classes.

Having the exact same schedule means that you will see that person 24/7. You both will be stress over the same projects, papers, teachers, etc. It is never a good idea to have more than two classes with your roommate.

Someone with Siblings:

Someone that has siblings is already use to sharing space, things and life with others close to his/her age. It is more likely to lean on his/hers siblings for comfort, encouragement and advice, helping you to share some of the emotional load when your roommate is going through an emotional time.

His/her current roommate:

You need to make sure that the person you are interested in becoming your new roommate also has the need for a new roommate. After you know for sure he/she is also in the look for a new roommate find out the reasons behind it. If possible and if you think would be helpful try and talk to his/her current and or pass roommates, this will give you a better idea of what life would be like with your prospective roommate.

Finally remember that even if you are completely sure that someone would be the perfect roommate for you, there are still going to be times when you will disagree and have small bumps in the relationship. Set the rules even before you start living together, be honest about your own flaws as a roommate, and have a sense of humor, it is most needed when living with someone.