I know you guys, all I've been talking about is college. But that's what happens when you're a first year student. It's all you can ever talk about.
The roommate process is pretty simple in college- if you meet someone that you want to room with, and they want to room with you, if you request each other on the roommate application- it's an automatic placement. I know, that was a mouth full.
This is what happened to me when I first came to Keystone. My school had a Facebook page for our incoming class, and I met a girl who wanted to room with me too. We hit it off and decided to room together.
That semester was a strange one for me. I was combing through my grief for the loss I encountered, and also was trying to balance my new friends and school work. I found myself less and less inside my room, hanging out with my friends down the hall and upstairs, and not necessarily my roommate.
That's normally how it goes. One of the first things I remember someone telling me about college is that you're rarely ever in your room. And if you are spending sunny days in there, not taking advantage of the campus, there's an issue!
My roommate and I got along just fine. She was the most courteous person I know! She kept her side of the room clean, was really quiet when I was sleeping, and her studying habits encouraged me to improve mine. These are things that I was looking for. But I was pretty naive. When you go to college, you'll expect certain things. But, circumstances change, and sometimes those circumstances are for the better.
In other words, keep and open mind.
As I met my friends down the hall who were all from PA, Bella, (my new roommate) who lived next door to me, was MY CARBON COPY. She talked like me, she had my humor, she totally just understood me, and dude, SHE WAS FROM NEW YORK. Well, she is. And all of those New York-isms I was holding back came flying out. I felt like I was at home again.
The point is this: You can have something satisfactory, and live with it. But when you encounter something that benefits you as a person, don't let go of it!
The next semester, my old roommate and I decided to flip rooms. She would live in Bella's room, with Bella's old roommate. She and Bella's roommate were closer than she and I, and vice versa. It kind of just worked out.
I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't met Bella. She truly became the person I went to with problems, who listened to me complain, who made pros and cons lists about my issues, who made me feel better about myself when I was feeling low, and so much more.
Here are ten thank you's dedicated to my roommate, and the roommates who changed everything for first year students:
1. Thank you for listening to my problems and helping me solve em'
You have sat with me, countless nights listening to me worry, whimper and wonder about my life. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on. Thank you for sitting me down and telling me it's not over.
2. Thank you for being so comfortable with me and letting me be comfortable with you
Before you, I was not comfortable with anyone. Thank you for listening intently when I dove into a difficult past, thank you for allowing me to see a side of you not many had seen before. Thanks for not freaking out when you saw me half naked, thank you for burping with me and most of all, thanks for farting with me.
3. Thank you for hitting me with a big dose of reality
When I'm being a baby about food being too spicy, or a bug being on the wall, thank you for showing me there's not too much to be afraid of. Thank you for telling me I'm being absolutely nuts if I'm freaking out about a small problem and thank you for just being honest. Thank you for reminding me of where I'm from: NYC. I feel like I can relate to you just because we are from the same state.
4. Thank you for taking care of me
Thank you for synching up your period with me. I know we couldn't control that, but it was seriously so nice to know someone close to me was going through my pain. But when yours was early or mine was later than yours, thank you for making me tea, thank you for hugging me when I cried, thank you for accepting me. Thank you for letting me sit in your chair and watch Adventure Time. Thank you for making my bed. You're the best.
5. Thank you for not letting me be alone
I know it sounds ridiculous, but thanks for being my escort everywhere and allowing me to have someone to talk to when I'm shoving food in my face at the cafeteria because I feel bad that you already ate. Thank you for going with me to the Grille and lugging food back to the dorms with me. This includes when we both dress up and look nice one day just because we want to. Thank you for being my ultimate sidekick.
6. Thank you for boosting my confidence
With you I am no one but the almighty Beyonce. Thank you for believing in me. When someone's got me down, you're the first person to hoist me back up and show me that I am a great person. Thank you for reminding that I tried my best, and I can't stop anyone's opinions. Thank you for telling me that I'm workin' my shoes, or that you like my clothes even though you probably wouldn't wear them.
7. Thank you for being my jester
That sounds awful but I think you're probably the funniest person I've ever met. You know this! You have seen my fall on the floor crying of laughter, gasping for air because I am laughing so hard. If that's not proof enough, I don't know what is. Thank you for face-swapping with me. Thank you for sending me Snapchats in class, texting me when you're bored and making me laugh. Thank you for literally being having the innate ability to crack jokes and make me smile when I'm bummed out, or on the sunniest day.
8. Thank you for being my sister
Thank you for fighting for me, for standing by me. Thank you for grimacing when I grimace. Thank you for smiling when I smile, thank you for agreeing with me when I think I'm right. It's like we are related, our reactions are so in sync. Thank you for standing up for me.
9. Thank you for missing me as much as I miss you
Thank you for texting me over break, telling me that you miss me and to come visit. Thank you for Snapchatting me about your regular life and making me feel like I'm there with you. Thank you for always having your door open to me.
10. Thank you for being my best friend
Because of you, my faith in friendships and humanity have been restored. Thank you for being the trampoline at the bottom of the cliff, and reminding me that life is beautiful and fun. Thank you for pushing me through this semester, as tough as it was. Thank you for allowing me to have someone to come back to after a long day, and letting me vent. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to a world of friendship.
Oh, also, thanks for being my bridesmaid in advance.
Not everyone gets the chance to find their best friend in college by rooming with them.
I did.
