The summer is over and while you are anxious to dive deep into the fall semester filled with school, parties, extracurriculars, that new internship you landed, and more parties, your head is still stuck in the laid-back summertime mode. All you can do is gush about your stories of flings and adventures. The first night with your new roomie is a little awkward - you go back and forth about whether or not you should say goodnight or if you should just climb into bed and enter dreamland without any interaction.
Stage 2
You and your roomie decide to hit that frat party you’ve been hearing about all week together, and with the passing of a few hours, you find yourselves wrapped in each other’s arms posting parallel Instagram photos, both proclaiming that you have “the best roomie ever!” You wake up in a tandem the next morning and file through the endless selfies you took last night, reaching an entire new level of friendship.
Stage 3
Your first cry. Whether you are vastly homesick, dealing with heartbreak, or getting your very first D, crying in front of new people can be awkward and uncomfortable. Whether you decide to just let it out in front of your roomie or hide behind your computer screen as you quietly sob, you’d be surprised at how willing your roommate is to listen to your troubles - no matter how close you are as friends or not. Whether she decorates your side of the room with tinsel while you’re at work to cheer you up, surprises you with your favorite Starbucks drink, or if she’s just there to give you a hug when you need one, your first cry can break down sorts of barriers in the roommate dynamic.
Stage 4
The first time your roommate goes away for the weekend. At first, you can’t imagine all the things you will get done without her around. You're able to revel in the time to yourself. When you see a particularly narcissistic tweet from Kanye West, you look up in hilarity to share with your roomie and are reminded that she isn’t there. You soon realize the parts about living with someone else that make small moments that much more enjoyable. Leaving your living partner-in-crime for the first holiday break of the year is just as strange as one of you heading out for the weekend - not only is it strange to share your room with no one but yourself when you’re home, but you miss staying up until ungodly hours of the morning laughing for absolutely no reason.
Stage 5
Saying goodbye at the end of the semester. It’s been a series of nights with laughter and tears, and you begin to realize that your roommate knows more about you than you may know about yourself. You’re about to leave for nearly a month, and though there is a bit of pre-conceived separation anxiety in the anticipation of your departure, you have the spring semester and new bonding experiences, memories to make, and unnecessary late nights to look forward to.
