With the second semester of college well underway there also comes some changes. For me one of those changes was going from having a roommate to having no roommate. While we did not know each other before we lived together we still got along and respected each other. I have not had a roommate for about a month now and I am starting to realize the good and bad that comes with it.
My previous roommate and I were not best friends but we got along well. Whenever one of us wanted to go on a late-night ice cream run or order pizza the other did not argue and was on board. When you are not living with another person you do not have that other person to do those random late night things that come with a long night of studying. At first I was always unconsciously thinking about how I would finish this paragraph and then see if she wanted to go grab dinner or something. It was only until after that I realized if I wanted to go grab dinner with someone it would not be my roommate because I didn't have one. Which can be a little lonely at first.
It is not all bad though. Dorm rooms are tiny so having the extra space to spread out is really nice. While there is a chance that I will get another roommate I don't have one right now. If you currently don't have a roommate you might as well make use of the extra closet space and not be afraid to "live" on the other side of the room. It was awkward for the first week when I unconsciously would not cross into the space that my former roommate occupied. It always felt like it was not mine but I eventually trained myself to make use of the space. It also gives you a little taste as to what it would be like to live alone. You are on your own time and you do not have to worry about someone else. Not having a roommate also helps you get out more (if you already don't). When you are in your room you are by yourself so it encourages you to seek interaction with other people.
There are a lot of differences between having a roommate and not having a roommate. From my experience, the loneliness goes away after awhile because you still have your friends but you have a nice quiet place to study. And when you just need a little time to yourself you have it.
