As a Freshman in college, one of the biggest things you have to think about is who to room with. Do you room with friends from home? Do you room with random people to make new friends? Well, I am here to tell you that if you have the opportunity to room with friends from home, do it!
As a Senior in high school, my three best friends and I were deciding whether or not to all be roommates. It was amazing how so many people advised against us rooming together saying that, "You will drive each other crazy!" Despite all of the advice against rooming together, we found a room and decided to be roommates. This was probably the best decision we ever made our Freshman year.
1. No awkward encounters
By rooming with your friends from home, there are no awkward introductions. You already know each other! There are no surprises about who your roommates are. Sometimes people can be surprised about how a roommate might act or behave when they first are introduced. Some personalities simply clash, but when rooming with friends, there are no surprises in personality types.
2. Sharing is caring
With roommates you already know, everyone knows each others' boundaries about sharing. With new roommates, you feel more weary about sharing makeup, clothes, food, etc. Who knows if they will lose it, ruin it, or anything else! With your best friends, you are used to sharing with them and you are more willing to share. Also, you get the benefit of borrowing items from them! This is the case most of the time anyways...
3. You know how to have fun!
Right from the get go, with previous friends, you will know how to have fun with one another. You can start the school year off right by attending sporting events, activities, dances, or anything else going on around campus without the worry of being alone. Nobody wants to go events by themselves with the fear of not knowing anyone.
4. Respect!
Mutual respect really goes a long way in a friendship. With new roommates that you are just starting to get to know, there may not be much respect. Roommates from home will always respect each other leading to less drama, and less conflict in the room. Also, if a conflict does occur, friends know how to handle that conflict with maturity because they have known each other for some time, and know how to approach and respect the other individual.
5. Always there for you.
Finally, and most importantly, your roommates, who are also your friends from home, will always be there for you. You have been close for longer then most college roommates, and you will always have a shoulder to cry on. Your friends know you the best, and know how to comfort you and make you feel better about everything going on. They are the only thing that can help in times of need and when you are feeling homesick. When you can't bring your home with you, it's good to have a smiling piece of home with you as your college roommate. Trust me, you won't regret it.
