| It is normal to feel nervous about living with a new | | | | were planning on going to the same university she still |
| roommate in college. Whether it is a friend or a | | | | chose to be paired with someone she had never met. |
| randomly assigned person, they say you don't know | | | | "I thought if I roomed with someone I knew I would be |
| really know someone until you've lived with them. | | | | a lot less likely to make new friends," said Liza. |
| Cassie Zentner, recent Norwin High School | | | | Faisal Hamadi a student from Saudi Arabia chose to |
| (Pennsylvania) graduate will be starting school at | | | | study at Michigan State University. His freshman |
| Oberlin College (Ohio) later this year. She is happy with | | | | roommate was a Dairy Agricultural major who came |
| her choice to be randomly paired with a roommate by | | | | home smelling like a farm most days. While they had |
| the school. "I think if I knew the person too well we | | | | little in common and didn't form a friendship it still was |
| might drive each other crazy and not be friends | | | | an experience to learn from. When asked what advice |
| anymore," said Cassie. | | | | he would give an international student about |
| Most new students take a survey from the university | | | | roommates this is what he said "Remember that your |
| to help match roommates with similar living styles. | | | | roommate doesn't have to be your best fiend, you just |
| While the surveys are usually pretty basic, they can | | | | need to be able to respect each other and share a |
| help keep opposites apart. Someone who describes | | | | living space." |
| themselves as a dedicated student who goes to bed | | | | Often the best roommates are the ones who you can |
| early probably wouldn't appreciate a roommate who | | | | spend time away from. Just keep an open mind and |
| invites guests over every night of the week. Cassie | | | | remember that in the worse case scenario you can |
| took her survey and felt it was sufficient, but says she | | | | meet new people and find a new roommate later. |
| won't really know if it worked until she lives with her | | | | With all of the forms of communication we have |
| future roommate. | | | | today, it's much easier to reach out to your future |
| Don't believe all the horror stories you hear about living | | | | roommate too. Send an email and start the discussion. |
| with a freshman year roommate. Liza Shields, | | | | You can talk about classes or why you both you |
| graduate of University of Virginia recently attended the | | | | chose the same school. If your university does not rent |
| baby shower of her roommate she met her first year. | | | | fridges or microwaves you might want to talk about |
| "We didn't live together after freshman year, but | | | | sharing those items or splitting costs. Remember that |
| stayed in touch with weekly dinners" shared Liza. | | | | they are just as nervous to meet and talk to you. Just |
| Despite the fact she knew ten other students who | | | | be yourself and let the conversation begin. |