With college decisions in, the next step in the process is filling out the roommate questionnaire. It is a bit daunting thinking about the people you’re going to be spending a majority of your time with during your first year of college. So, here are three ways to end up with the perfect college roommate.
1. Tell the truth.
It’s simple. I know. But I seriously can’t stress this enough. Tell the truth regarding everything you do. If you don’t pick dirty clothing off of the floor for two weeks straight, then I’m sorry but you are not considered “clean.” If you say you go to bed early but come in every night around 2:00 a.m. then you’re a liar. Lying will absolutely result in an unhappy situation between you and your roommate. Unrealistic expectations tend to be the downfall of numerous roommate situations. Be truthful and your college will do its best to match you with someone that fits you and your future roommate will appreciate the honesty.
2. Think about how you function.
It’s less about what you like and more about how you function. You and your roommate are going to be interacting a decent amount. You want everything to be as smooth as possible. So when it comes to filling out the questionnaire, think about the way you study, what kind of room you like to come back to and whether you want your dorm to be a sanctuary or a social hang out. It’s nice to have things in common with your roommate but similarities in function in your daily routine are more likely to solidify a happy roommate situation.
3. It's not about your aspirational self.
This is not about the person you would like to be. It is about the person you are. Make a conscious decision to fill out the questionnaire as a representation of the true you. Don’t get distracted by what you would like to be. Rather focus on the kind of roommate you would like to live with, what would make you the happiest and what fits the most.
Stick to these three things and your roommate selection should go smoothly.
