Deciding on which college to attend is the first in a long line of decisions students must make before attending their first day of classes. One of the toughest decisions is picking a roommate. Many schools offer college roommate matching programs as well as give you the option to pick your own, but which is the right way to go?

Comfortable v. New

Chances are your natural choice would be to live with someone you already know because it’s comfortable, but living with someone new can be just as exciting. Consider the following:

• Don’t room with your best friend simply because they are your best friend. You have never had to live with them 24/7 before, and you may find out that you aren’t as compatible as you originally thought.
• Roommate matching systems can be great if you fill out the student questionnaires accurately.
• The point of college is to meet new people and try new things; living with someone from home may become a safety net that keeps you from exploring.
• Some schools offer online websites that allows students to connect prior to freshmen year, so they can then choose their own roommate by “meeting” them online.
• You can always ask for a new roommate if it turns out the one you picked or are given is not the best match.

Roommate Survival 101

Now that you’ve decided with whom you want to live, you actually have to figure out how to live with that person in oftentimes cramped quarters. Here are some survival tips:

• Do be honest about your habits upfront, even if it’s your best friend. Remind them about when you like to go to bed, study, etc., and be respectful of their preferences, too.
• If you’re rooming with someone you don’t know, try to meet them or talk to him or her before you move in, so that way your first day at school is a little less scary.
• Plan out who is bringing what and what you want your room to look like ahead of time. This will save overpacking and decorating frustrations when you move in.
• Establish rules about food, visiting hours, and sharing items in general, then be sure to stick to these rules.
• Communication is key; your roommate is not a mind reader.
• Always try to be a better roommate than what you would expect from someone else, and you’ll be just fine.

The first year at college is an exciting adventure, and part of this adventure will be shared with your roommate, so try to make your relationship with them the best it can be.

–Delaney Young