Getting your first roommate is something everyone dreams about. You hear people talk about roommate stories all the time and you see all the cute "roomie" things they do. But what do you do when you receive your dorm assignment and it does not have a roommate attached? At first, you might start to panic, calling the school wondering if it was a mistake. Then it starts to set in; you won't be joining the fun of finding your first college friend on Facebook. You won't be able to take those fun college pictures at your first party and caption it "day 1 homie" or "roomie luv." It will seem like the end of the world and the worst start to college possible, however, speaking from experience, IT IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. Here is why:
1. At first, it sucks.
If you were like me and had none of your closest friends go to your college or university, then it sucks. You will automatically feel like an outcast because most people will cling to their roommate. You wont have that person to talk to leading up to move in day about all your hopes, dreams, and fears the upcoming four years will bring. You wont have that person to talk about matching decor or about splitting the stuff you guys can share or what each of you will bring. Being in a single especially sucks during move in. Most incoming freshman are friendly and will want to be friends but are feeling just as awkward as you and might be unsure about conversation, chances are they will stick to their roommate, but try not to judge them because that would probably be us if we had one too. After everyone moves in, is situated, and without parents is when everything seems to come together. Give it two or three weeks of vulnerability because thats the time that friendships are made.
2. It forces you to put yourself out there.
I will not lie to you and say you won't feel vulnerable or lonely because it's both, unless you automatically click with someone or are very good at making friends. You will, at times, feel annoying or like the third wheel, but eventually, that will subside. By not having a roommate, it forces you to leave your door open or say hi to everyone you pass in the hallway. The facebook page or group message, if you have them, are both great ways to connect with people on your floor!
3. Communal bathrooms are the best... yet the worst.
Communal bathrooms are the best when you have a single, as weird as that sounds. They are probably one of the grossest places you will ever come in contact with, however you meet so many people! I am by no means saying talk to the girl in the stall next to you (but if that's you then by all means) but a lot of times you might have the same morning schedule as someone and always seem them in there brushing their teeth or showering. These casual conversations often lead to great friendships.
4. Doing things alone is OK!
I believe that there is such a misconception about college in the aspect that doing things alone is not a thing and that you should be surrounded with 10 people at all times. No. This is so incredible wrong. College is a fun place, college is a social place and college is a busy place. A lot of times you will find you and your friends will be on different schedules. The times you find yourself free, all of your friend might be busy. While there will be people everywhere, it is ok to be by yourself. Not having a roommate sometimes means you could be alone more. One thing you should try and come to terms with is that it is SO ok to do things alone. Being alone does not mean you are an outcast or have no friends, its just part of growing up.
5. There are A LOT of pros to a single.
Trust me, there are!
1. If you want to watch T.V. you can. Whether it be 2 p.m. or 3 a.m.!
2. If you want to take a mid-day nap, you can do that uninterrupted.
3. There is no way to be woken up in the morning UNLESS you set an alarm or let someone sleep over. This is so nice because I bet you will hear multiple people complain about how their roomie woke them up at 7:30a.m. when they didn't have to be up until noon.
4. You can have sleepovers or friends over whenever. You don't have to ask or anything. This adds to the freedom.
5. Your room will be as messy or as clean as you want it because its your room and only your room.
6. You don't have to worry about your stuff 'missing' or magically appearing on your roommate. Unless you lend it to someone of course or they creepily have a key made.
7. You have the whole mini fridge to yourself. This means more Ben&Jerry's and frozen chicken nuggets!!
6. You always have an ideal study space.
This is SO ideal especially during finals. you will soon figure out that college is so much harder than high school and that you will have to study for hours to pass. You will never have to venture out of your room for a quiet study space on campus or have to fight for a table with outlets.
7. Your room becomes the hangout spot.
It will become much easier to just hang out in your room because the other people won't have to ask their roommates. Also, once roomies start to fight, your room becomes the safe haven.
So I leave you with this: Not having a roommate is truly the best thing that ever happened to me my freshman year. Do not stress, do not panic, and do not worry! You will get through it, you will make friends, and college will be amazing even without a freshman roommate.
