Picking a college is already hard enough, but finding someone to share a dorm room with is even more difficult. Different colleges have different processes and ways of communicating with matters such as finding a roommate, housing, etc.
My roommate process at University of Missouri, Columbia has been a mix of both. Some of the information is straightforward and easy to understand, while the other has been more of a maze. It seems as though the important details are scattered throughout several different areas, whereas if it were in one spot it would be simpler.
Be Honest With the Type of Person You Are
During the roommating process, keep your own habits good and bad in mind. For most colleges they will send out a questionnaire of some sort that will ask questions about you and what your likes/dislikes are. Make sure to be truthful, whatever you put it is guaranteed you will be matched up with someone of the same qualities. After the questionnaire is submitted they then will show who you are most compatible with. This will bring up profiles which show people who have similar interests. You can look into these profiles and read more about them. There are also options to message individuals and talk to them. Personally I like to look them up on Instagram to further see the kind of person they are.
Reach Out To People!
For this part of the process be sure to reach out to people and try to make friends as you’re all in the same boat of wanting to try and meet people. They are starting up at a new school, same as you, and don’t know many people. So reach out!! It will help you out as much as it will the other applicants for this university.
When talking to students, be sure to really get to know them. You may meet people you like or people you really don’t. That’s okay, that’s the point of talking to people, to try and get to know them. If you have a weird feeling about someone, don’t feel obligated to be their roommate. You can always hang out with them later on. But, truly pick someone that you feel comfortable with because you will be living with that person for a year.
Rule Out Your Deal Breakers…
For me, I’m looking for someone who is hygienic and clean. A girl that is very outgoing and loves to be out and about. I am a very social person and I need someone who can match my energy as well as my need to be organized. If I really like one girl but she doesn’t really keep a clean space I realistically won’t be happy while living together.
So when talking to potential candidates make sure you have automatic disqualifications. Don’t try to adjust to other people because they aren’t you. You know what and how you feel about certain things so stick to your grounds. There will be someone out there for you, just be patient!
The upcoming fall semester is approaching quickly. Start soon to jump ahead and prepare yourself for a new era of life.
