When applying for colleges, one of the most prominent thoughts going through a new student's mind is a roommate. While many students will be matched with their "perfect roommate" through various dating-type services featured by the University, some students will get paired with a random roommate. Other students, however, may choose to live with someone whom they experienced high school with, a choice that I made halfway through my senior year.

There was no hesitation from any adults or other peers upon hearing of my decision. One of the biggest stigmas I hear about college roommates is, "Never room with your best friend, or else you'll lose that person completely." Hearing this day after day began to strike fear into my heart. Would me and my future roommate/best friend of four years end up separating ways after some sort of fall out in college? I didn't know, and quite frankly, it scared me to death. My best friend and future roommate had been a part of my life for so long, and the thought of us drifting apart over something as ridiculous asa fight about a college party, or a boy, made me contemplate my decision. Had we chosen wisely? Signing the form to live together could have just put a death sentence on our friendship.

A month into the school year, everything seemed to be going fine. We were getting along fabulously, and we still spent time together every day, whether it was grabbing lunch or grabbing a coffee at Starbucks; however, there was always the little voice in the back of my head telling me to be careful so I didn't end up jeopardizing our friendship so early into the semester. Month after month went by, and our routines stayed the same. We still hung out every day, we went to parties together on the weekends, helped each other get ready for dances and dates, and were always there as a shoulder to cry on, or a friend to jump for joy with when something amazing happened (and in freshman year, a lot of super rad stuff happened).

Through my experience of living with my best friend in my freshman year of college, I learned that you can't always trust every stigma or stereotype you hear about college. My best friend and I took a huge risk in deciding to live together, and if anything, it made our friendship 10 times stronger. We've experienced some of the worst times together, and some of the best times together, and there isn't anyone who I'd rather have by my side. In having her as my roommate, I gained my roommate for my sophomore year as well. Next year will be the same adventures that we had this year, only better.

So, future college applicants, life is about taking risks, especially when it comes to college. Making a huge risk ultimately ended up being the best decision I've ever made, and I can't wait to see what shenanigans the two of us end up getting into next semester. Love you, Ash!