It’s time to choose your housing arrangements for next year ladies! While reflecting on your living situation with your current roommate a the inevitable questions come to mind — Do I want a new roommate? If you answered HELL YEAH yes, here are some tips you should taketo find the ideal roommate for you!
1. If you are the introvert type, DON’T request a party animal!
You may have some associates that you go out with from time to time. If one of these people wants to room with you, and you already know the consequences of her late night festivities, DON’T EVEN BOTHER! She will get in the way of your studies and your sanity.
2. If you are obsessively clean , don’t request a garbage disposal hoarder.
We all have that one friend who seems like she has a clean room but really, when you come over she just throws everything she had on the floor into her hamper before you got there. If you stay the night, you may also notice how she doesn’t wash her dishes since 2 weeks ago, when you helped her move into the room and you guys ordered that late night Chinese food. Yeah. The knife that she used to cut those spare ribs is still on top of her counter with residue on it. Don’t room with someone who will attract roach party into your dorm.
3. If you are the type to go to bed early, don’t room with a night owl.
Many students after their freshmen year with a random roommie, want to choose someone they know, or know would be the “perfect” roommate. Even if your match is neat, a non-smoker, and fairly sane….. they might be a night owl. Find out whether your potential roommate stays up late (especially if it’s with that bright lamp on). If you have work in the morning, perhaps rooming with someone who goes to bed around the time you’re getting up is not a good idea. This will save you from some crankiness in the morning!
4. If you choose a roommate who smokes, and you don’t….
Your clothes will STINK! Good luck trying to find a date girl.
5. If you choose to room with your best friend, you’re putting your relationship at risk
I have seen too many people room with their best friends and end up hating them by the end of the semester. Rooming with your best friend isn’t always the best idea. As much as you love being around each other, I can assure you that you would not want to be around each other 24/7 — especially if you guys run in the same circle, have similar classes together, etc. Trust me, your roommate does not have to be your best friend. It’s better that way. You will drive each other insane. You can save the hair pulling and profanity for finals week, that’s the only time you’re allowed to act out over stress.
6. If you room with someone who is passive aggressive, just NO!
If you consider yourself a straight-forward kind of chick, you probably want to room with someone who is the same. Rooming with a passive-aggressive person will just make it more difficult for you to get any concerns across. If you find yourself in this situation, your experience will be full of annoyances and built-up tension. No one needs an elephant in the room when there already isn’t even enough space for two.
Since there are many more things to look out for, take the time to make a REASONABLE list of what is important in a roommate for you and let that guide your decision. When you do find a roommate, make a list of rules that you guys will both agree to and sign it. When things get a little hasty, draw out the rules you guys both established. No one wants to spend the next two semesters counting down the days to summer because they don’t feel comfortable in their own room. You paid just as much as your roommate did so make the best of it and choose wisely!