For those of you who are going into a roommate situation completely blind, it can get pretty worrisome. You have no clue who this person is, and considering the fact that you’re going to be sharing close quarters with them for almost a full year, it’s normal to feel concerned.
Here’s some advice on ways you can get to know your roommate!
Try to meet up beforehand
If you’re in a situation where you’re able to meet up with your roommate before school starts, do your best to make it happen. You’re going to be dealing with so much stress already with moving in and adjusting to life on campus, so the last thing you want to do is also have nerves about meeting your roommate, too. Yes, it could be a little awkward at first, but think of it like peeling a Band-Aid – it hurts at first, but you’re glad you ripped it off in the end.
If you and your roommate live far away from one another and meeting up over the summer isn’t an option, try connecting over Facebook. My freshman year roommate and I had a message chain going where we would keep track of who was bringing what – plus it was easy to refer back to if I forgot what she had said previously. We also got to know each other and exchanged phone numbers so we wouldn’t be completely caught off guard the first day we met.
Head to a campus event together
Most universities and colleges have programs and events scheduled for the first week of school specifically for freshmen. Not only are they free, but this is also a great opportunity for you to bond with your roommate and maybe make friends with some of your other classmates. Also, don’t miss out on events hosted by your residence hall – meeting and getting to know the people you live with is always a great idea.
Don’t be afraid to knock on doors
One of the first things my roommate and I did was knock on everyone’s door on our hall and introduce ourselves. Not only was it a fun way to meet everyone, but we ended up making friends out of it. While you definitely won’t become best friends with everyone on your hall, it doesn’t hurt to say a quick hello. You may be surprised by who you meet!
Hit up the organization fair
Even if you don’t share the same interests, it’s always encouraging to have a wingman/wingwoman to help you as you walk around and talk to the different organizations on campus. It is also a great way to talk about your interests.
Do your own campus tour
Figuring out where all of your classes are before they start is a great way to make sure you start off your freshman year on the right foot. The last thing you’ll want to do is be late to your first college class because you got lost. Have your roommate join you for a walking tour of campus as you both break down your class schedules and commit the directions to memory.
