How to Find the Right Roommate

For many seniors, college is sneaking up fast, and finding a roommate can seem overwhelming and scary. You are moving out of the house for the first time and a lot of us are going to be living with strangers. Colleges and universities have set up a lot of ways to help make the roommate process easier, as well as ways you can try on your own to find your perfect roomie. 

Scared to move out of the house for the first time and live with someone new? Don't fret! This article can help guide your decision when it comes to finding your perfect match.

Rooming with a Friend

For a lot of people, they will be going to school with people they already know. It is a safe bet to room with a friend going to the same school as you; however, be aware that you guys may have more awkward conversations that could hurt the friendship, because not everyone is meant to live together. Although that is a risk, setting boundaries beforehand helps. A lot of people love getting to move in with their best friends, so if you’re ready to handle tough conversations and confrontations, rooming with a friend is a wonderful option, especially if you seek a sense of normalcy. 

Social Media Roommate Finder

One of University of Iowa's roommate finder accounts

Social media is a great tool for finding roommates; this is how I found my roommate for this upcoming fall. Many schools have affiliated and non affiliated pages for incoming freshmen to find roommates and friends. Students can send in a bio about their hobbies, major, and plans for the next school year, as well as submit pictures of themselves that express who they are. They often link in their social media handles so people are able to reach out and talk about being potential roommates. 

When reaching out through social media, there are a few important questions almost everyone should ask:

• How do you feel about going out and parties? 

• What does your sleep schedule look like?

• Are you messy or clean?

• Do you plan on going home a lot?

• What activities are you planning on joining at college? 

These are some of the most common questions that will play a big part in whether or not you mix well together. Even if you guys do not end up being friends, you can at least make sure they are not waking you up at 4:30 every morning for their run. 

It is important to note that even if someone looks really cute in their Instagram post, it is not a direct reflection of their personality, so be mindful you may not end up loving them as much as you thought. 

Random Roommate Selection Process

Random roommate selection is the easiest process. College preparation can be very stressful, and having to find a roommate is another added task that doing a random roommate could avoid. This is where it can get messy. A lot of people will end up choosing a random roommate that is assigned by your university, but you run the risk of having nothing in common. It is really just a game of luck whether or not you two hit it off, so if you’re up for that, then a random roommate is the way to go. Chances are you and your roommate will get along fine, but be aware there are a lot of random roommate horror stories. 

To be fair, you can have a great experience with a friend, finding someone online, or going random, and you also may hate your roommate from any of those options. It is up to you and what you feel most comfortable with picking.