Despite high expectations, not everyone is going to be best friends with their freshman roommate. However, that doesn't mean that you should be uncomfortable around each other and be forced to live in the library.
There are many things I am grateful my roommate did freshman year that helped us establish a great roommate bond, and led to us to develop a friendship and live together the next year.
I thank her for:
1. Coming into the room quietly when I was asleep.
Respecting your roommate's sleep is important. Sleep is sacred in college.
2. Not being a complete neat freak.
It’s good to establish the line between messy and dirty, but it’s also important to understand that not everyone is going to want to make their bed every day.
3. For having her own friend group.
Forming a friendship with your roommate is not required, but if you do have one, it is important to also have your own friends because eating, sleeping, studying, hanging out with friends, and being around each other 24/7 will eventually lead to arguments.
4. Respecting my space/belongings.
It's a great feeling being able to leave your room and trusting that your roommate won't look through or use any of your things without permission, especially your bed.
5. Not gossiping about me.
We all have heard stories from our friends or from someone in our family about their roommates. It’s nice not having your life on live broadcast. Respect that you will be living the same small space for a year and that you shouldn’t talk about your roommate.
6. For listening to my rants.
College can be hard at times and so can relationships with your friends, family, and others. It’s great to have someone you can trust to confide in.
7. For caring about me when I'm sick.
When you're sick, it is always a great feeling when someone offers to bring you soup, walk with you to the student health center, or to vacate the room so you can sleep all day. Take that into account when your roommate isn’t feeling well.
8. For being silly with me.
You live in a small space for a year with your roommate. You know each other better than you think, and letting your guard down and having fun can make the dorm atmosphere more relaxed and trustworthy.
9. Bringing me food.
After all, college is a plethora of free food, and who doesn’t bond over pizza?10. For showing me one of your hobbies.
College is about learning, so why not try to learn something from your roommate? It can help you form a friendship.
11. For not being passive-aggressive.
Communication is key. Your living situation heavily impacts your daily life and shouldn’t depend on double meaning Post-It notes on the bathroom mirror.
12. For compromising.
If they don’t like your air freshener scent, just get a different one. It’s important everyone feels comfortable in their living space.
13. For accepting my weird behavior.
Because everyone isn’t the same, and your normal behavior can be odd to someone else.
14. For walking somewhere or going out with me when I needed to do something.
Because you are always safer in a pack, and having someone to go with makes the experience so much better.
15. For making freshman year so much more enjoyable with your actions and kindness.
Even if you are not great friends with your roommate, you can still make a positive impact on each other during freshman year.
