During your four years of college, you have the chance of experiencing what it's like to live with many different kinds of people. Most people live off campus after their first year, and stick with those roommates through the following three years. However, I did not do that. I've moved five times over the past three years. What can I say? I like making new friends. I also don't like staying in one place for too long; trying new things is what college is all about, right? I've lived with 13 different roommates over the last three years, and I see a little bit of each of these different college roommates in them:
1. The Slob
You know, that one roommate who leaves every dish in the sink. Not just for like 24 hours or like even two days. But for like four weeks. You've been forced to eat your Ramen out of the same mug with a butter knife because all of the bowls and silverware are sitting in the sink waiting to be washed. Dishes are not the end of the world — sometimes people get busy and are running out the door, and don't have time to clean that exact moment. But it may be time for an intervention when you consider taking bowls and plates from dining halls because it would just be a change of pace. We can all be the Slob sometimes; no shame in being a little messy.
2. The Neat Freak
The Slob's one, true enemy. The Neat Freak will not sleep if there is a single article of clothing on their floor. They will not rest until every particle of dust is eradicated. They will spend their last dollar on a state of the art Swiffer. They will silently judge you for not folding your clothes immediately when they come out of the dryer. I've never lived with a true neat freak, which is good because I'm not quite the Slob, but I've been known to find my outfit from my floor rather than my closet.
3. The Singer/The Musician
The roommate that's in acapella or marching band that constantly sings or taps on things because the music is always "speaking" to them. They have their respective groups over for rehearsal or what you think is rehearsal, but they're just hanging out, apparently. They are some of the most genuinely talented people you know and you wish you had their musical talents, but alas even you are appalled by your own shower concerts.
4. The Free Spirit
They just go with the flow, are super laid back, and maybe make some questionable life decisions when it comes to when they wear shoes. They probably have a psychedelic tapestry hanging in their room and sell dream-catchers on their own personal Etsy store. These roommates are some of the best to have around when life gets stressful. They see the good in everything and are great to have heart-to-heart talks with, because they are always down to reassure you that life is a beautiful thing.
5. The Over-Ambitious
The roommate that is taking about 40 credits, is president of nine clubs, volunteers everyday, and has an on-campus job. These roommates are probably never around, but when they are, they are amazing. They are so loyal, passionate and so inspiring to live with. They are constantly around people who reach for the stars, even if sometimes they over-reach. They always have an inspirational quote at the ready when it all gets to be too much, but they still put the people they love before all else. These are also the people that pull all-nighters pretty much every night, don't go to bed before 3am and are up before 7am. They are superhuman and you never know how they do it, but you're so glad that they do.
6. The Mom
The roommate that makes sure you're getting enough sleep, eating healthy, doing well in school and they take care of you when you're sick. These roommates text you, "Good morning, have a great day!" and check in with you mid-day to see if everything is going okay. They make you cookies when you're sad, and celebrate you when you do something to make them proud. These are amazing roommates to have, because they will always drop whatever they are doing to comfort you and give mom hugs that we all sometimes desperately need in college when the going gets tough.
7. The Chef
The one that is randomly amazing at everything culinary. You come home from a long day of school, excited and ready to eat your easy mac and just live that microwaveable college life, and your chef of a roommate is enjoying grilled fish tacos with homemade salsa and guacamole and lime rice like the kind at Chipotle. They always have fresh food, and they go ham at the farmer's market. Fresh veggies and fruit for days. Family dinners with all of your roommates solely consist of this one person making everything and you contributing your sleeve of Oreos and a jar of peanut butter for dessert.
8. The M.I.A Roommate
You aren't even really sure if this roommate exists. They may be a varsity athlete, super involved, or maybe they are just not interested in being in the house or apartment. Ever. You see this roommate maybe once a week. Or you go weeks without seeing or hearing from them and you consider filing a missing persons report, but then they suddenly post in the house group message about how we are out of paper towels. Sometimes you see pictures on their Instagram of them in different states or at different Universities, when you thought they were just going to the library.
It can be risky always bouncing from house to house, roommate to roommate, and luckily it has all worked out for me. Every place I've lived I've loved. Every roommate I've had the unique pleasure of sharing a space with has been amazing. Roommates are just an inevitable part of not only college, but life. So recognize the types of roomies you mesh well with early, and keep that in mind the next time you're looking for a new place to call home!
Special shoutout to my 1314 girls — the best roommates and best friends a girl could ever ask for.
