Roommates

Ahh, roommates. The people we will be sharing the next year - possibly more - with in a small, jail-sized room that you luckily get to fight about how it will be decorated. You will know everything about each other - your habits, your weird quirks, how bad each other's farts smell: the whole shebang! And if that's the case, why not choose your best friend, right? After all, they probably know all of the above and then some.

WRONG!!!! OH, SO WRONG!!!! Whatever you do, do NOT room with your best friend. Even rooming with someone you know is a really bad idea! Think of your sister - how much you HATE when she steals your clothes without asking, your make-up, your hair stuff, your friends, (or the most awkward) your boyfriend. You know how you hate that little monster but you still love her because you're family? YOUR BEST FRIEND ISN'T FAMILY!! As much as you two love each other like sisters, it will not go over well 99.9999...% of the time! Your roommate in college is very unlikely going to be your best friend - you're really more likely to meet your best friend in the same way you'll meet your future spouse: in the grocery store, in class, online - you name it! But the last place I'd look is in your own room. It's very doubtful you'll stay up late telling your deepest darkest secrets. Now, that doesnt mean you won't be friends at all with your roommate and that doesnt give you any right to completely ignore and disregard your roommate: she's the person you'll be living with, at least for a while. You have to be civil.

Do try to make an effort, even if all the conversations ever go are as follows:

You: Hey (insert roommate's name here)! It's nice to meet you, wanna talk about who's bring what?
RM (new short hand for roommate): sure
You: okay, i have a mini fridge, microwave, crock pot, (insert other items here). I don't watch much tv though, so i dont have one.
RM: ok
You: do you wanna bring one? I woildnt use it though, I'll watch what i need on the computer
RM: no im good.
You: ok so what do you have?
RM: i haven't started getting stuff yet tbh
You: ...

DO NOT MAKE HER FEEL LIKE CRAP! This is usually the sign of " I'm two feet from going insane, this is way too overwhelming, just let me breathe. Now, if she's always responding in such a way, you may want to actually call her up and speak verbally because for one, it goes faster, and for two, you need answers. Always remember to remain calm because, although some may disagree, confrontation is generally something you want to avoid with your roommate.

In the end, i don't have a choice in who everyone chooses as their roommate and i can only give advice. My advice is to try to stay positive, don't commit any sort of felony, especially against your roommate, and just breathe. It's a new year and you're both naïve  about how college is going to play out, so stick together, but don't be afraid to branch out.