College housemates: they can be your worse enemies, your best friends, or anywhere in between. Almost everyone will have housemates (or at least roommates) at some time in college, so it’s important to recognize the important role they play in your life. Sometimes that role seems like it only revolves around leaving dirty dishes all over or throwing ragers, but trust me, there are so many benefits to having them around. For instance, I recently came home from work to find a Christmas stocking and a gift bag full of candy and gifts from my housemates. My house (known as “the coop”) is aware that I have had a difficult time being away from my family during the Christmas season, and their gifts were such an amazing surprise.
I am not the only one with great housemates though. I am sure many of you out there can relate. So what makes a great college housemate? Well, here are five ways college housemates are some of the best people you encounter in college.
1. Constant conversation
There is (almost) always someone around to chat with. If by some miracle you find yourself without homework during the day, you can always hang out with your housemates and have some casual conversation. Housemates = never lonely.
2. Listening ears
Not only can you chat with your housemates throughout the day, but you can also talk with them about your problems and frustrations. If you take the time to develop good relationships with your housemates, they can end up being great sources of support in times of distress.
3. FOOD
Sometimes housemates and food don’t go well together (i.e. if you are unlucky enough to have housemates that can’t understand what food is theirs and which is not). However, housemates and food can be a great combination if you all enjoy cooking together, and even better, sharing leftovers together. Yum!
4. House excursions
If you ever need a buddy to go on an outing with, whether that be to the mall, the grocery store, or to a movie, your housemates can be your go to people to invite. They are right there in the same house with you, so getting a hold of them is usually pretty easy. It’s even better if one of them has a car to transport everyone!
5. Stability in your life
Last but not least, housemates are an everyday part of your life. They bring stability to your hectic college life. Between classes changing every semester and friends and dating partners coming and going throughout college, your housemates are a steady part of your life. When everything is hectic, it is comforting to know that you can come home to your friends every night.
Enjoy college, and don’t forget the many ways you can find support at school. College housemates can be one of your biggest sources of support and guidance, plus they can just be plain old fun to hang out with and be around. If the biggest benefit you get from your housemates is paying only a fraction of the house’s rent, I’m sorry the shared house life hasn’t turned out great for you. If possible, find a house with people you connect with; trust me, it will be one of the best things you can do for your college self. Looking back on these years, you will be so grateful you had awesome friends to share it with, all in the same house.
