THE TRUTH ABOUT HAVING A ROOMMATE IN COLLEGE
If you're anything like me and came to a school where you didn't know anyone, finding a roommate was a challenge... to say the least. One thing was for certain though, I knew once I found my roommate I would instantly have a best friend to do everything with (and that eased my mind.) But what I didn't expect to happen from this new friendship left me with a few regrets during my first few years at NMU.
I'm Megan and this is my truth about having a roommate in college.
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If you're anything like me and came to a school where you didn't know anyone, finding a roommate was a challenge... to say the least. One thing was for certain though, I knew once I found my roommate I would instantly have a best friend to do everything with (and that eased my mind.) But what I didn't expect to happen from this new friendship left me with a few regrets during my first few years at NMU.
I'm Megan and this is my truth about having a roommate in college.
When I was a freshman, I was beyond excited to finally meet new people outside of high school, and I was even more excited that my roommate (and suitemates) and I could possibly be lifelong friends. I was told by numerous counselors and other students that creating a close bond with the person you live with will make your years on campus so much fun. I was stoked at the thought of having an immediate friend!
For the few months before the semester began, I made sure to communicate with my roommate and suitemates frequently (via text, Snapchat, or pretty much whatever) so that we could learn about each other in advance of moving in. Eventually, my whole quad got together over the summer so that we could walk through what we needed and it gave us the chance to meet each other in person and get a sneak peek at all of our unique personalities. It was like we knew each other for years. We couldn’t wait to start this new college experience together, already thinking we were the best of friends.
When it was finally time to move into what we would call home for the next year, I absolutely couldn’t wait. I thought I had found exactly the most perfect person to room with and great suitemates on top of that.
Once on campus, we did everything together (just as we expected and had hoped to.) From eating every meal together to hiking and lounging, going to hockey games and doing nothing at all and everything in-between. While that sounds like a great idea and a wonderful way to build upon the relationships we had started prior to school, doing all of those things together prevented us from meeting other new people. We eventually got sick of each other. Sharing a room was losing its "fun" and it could definitely be awkward at times. We needed a break from each other but had a hard time getting one because we didn’t know anyone else. My point in sharing this is that we relied too much on each other. We didn’t spend enough time making other friends. We didn’t spend enough time doing things without each other.
If I'm being honest, I hated my freshman year because I never took the chance to meet anyone. I didn’t think I needed to because I had my roommate and suitemates. However, I soon realized that I needed to break out of my shyness shell a little bit more (and a little bit earlier.) I strongly encourage everyone to do the same and I promise you will have a much better and more enjoyable year because of it.
So, what can you learn from me? Step out of your comfort zone. No matter how hard it may seem, make the effort to talk to people other than your roommate/suitemates... people on your floor, in classes, in the laundry room, in the dining hall, in the Starbucks line. Join a group. Go to sporting events. Put yourself out there. The campus is literally full of people just like you who want to find and develop friendships! On a college campus filled with thousands of people, don’t feel obligated to do EVERYTHING with your roommate or suitemates. Take time to better yourself and explore the world of what a campus community is all about!
When I was a freshman, I was beyond excited to finally meet new people outside of high school, and I was even more excited that my roommate (and suitemates) and I could possibly be lifelong friends. I was told by numerous counselors and other students that creating a close bond with the person you live with will make your years on campus so much fun. I was stoked at the thought of having an immediate friend!
For the few months before the semester began, I made sure to communicate with my roommate and suitemates frequently (via text, Snapchat, or pretty much whatever) so that we could learn about each other in advance of moving in. Eventually, my whole quad got together over the summer so that we could walk through what we needed and it gave us the chance to meet each other in person and get a sneak peek at all of our unique personalities. It was like we knew each other for years.
We couldn’t wait to start this new college experience together, already thinking we were the best of friends.
When it was finally time to move into what we would call home for the next year, I absolutely couldn’t wait. I thought I had found exactly the most perfect person to room with and great suitemates on top of that.
Once on campus, we did everything together (just as we expected and had hoped to.) From eating every meal together to hiking and lounging, going to hockey games and doing nothing at all and everything in-between. While that sounds like a great idea and a wonderful way to build upon the relationships we had started prior to school, doing all of those things together prevented us from meeting other new people. We eventually got sick of each other. Sharing a room was losing its "fun" and it could definitely be awkward at times. We needed a break from each other but had a hard time getting one because we didn’t know anyone else. My point in sharing this is that we relied too much on each other. We didn’t spend enough time making other friends. We didn’t spend enough time doing things without each other.
If I'm being honest, I hated my freshman year because I never took the chance to meet anyone. I didn’t think I needed to because I had my roommate and suitemates. However, I soon realized that I needed to break out of my shyness shell a little bit more (and a little bit earlier.) I strongly encourage everyone to do the same and I promise you will have a much better and more enjoyable year because of it.
So, what can you learn from me? Step out of your comfort zone. No matter how hard it may seem, make the effort to talk to people other than your roommate/suitemates... people on your floor, in classes, in the laundry room, in the dining hall, in the Starbucks line. Join a group. Go to sporting events. Put yourself out there. The campus is literally full of people just like you who want to find and develop friendships!
→ Takeaway
On a college campus filled with thousands of people, don’t feel obligated to do EVERYTHING with your roommate or suitemates. Take time to better yourself and explore the world of what a campus community is all about!
