Having a roommate is like a 24/7 slumber party and together, you share some of the most memorable times. Woven between those laughs and cries are moments of truth and maturity. You (usually) only have the roommate stage once, whether it be for a semester, or over the span of several years, and they are trying times in an individual's life. As someone who has been extremely lucky in this department throughout my collegiate years, I want to take a moment to highlight a few lessons only a roommate can teach you and ones that you will continue to apply throughout your life.
1. Having a roommate teaches you teamwork.
Together, you clean, you pay bills, you decide what flavor of Burnett's to purchase for a pregame you're throwing that night. It requires compromise and communication and those two qualities are essential in the long run.
2. Having a roommate teaches you patience.
It's not all laughs and giggles, sometimes it does test your patience having to coordinate with another person who can't read your mind and hasn't known you all your life like your parents do. But with that patience, comes understanding and a new way of thinking.
3. Having a roommate teaches you what your worst qualities are.
And those are important to know. Are you the type of person who constantly leaves dirty dishes and avoids them? Are you the type of person who thinks that bathrooms are automatically clean because the cleaning lady used to do them for you all your life? Sometimes, it takes a stranger to make you realize what your parents put up with until high school.
4. Having a roommate teaches you how to apologize.
It's easier getting your mom to forgive you because that weird, creepy smile you gave made her heart melt. Not everyone thinks you're as cute as your mother does, including your roommate, and there will be times you mess up and you'll have to do more than just give that puppy dog face to get out of this one.
5. Having a roommate teaches you to not run away from your problems.
Because you actually can't, you're stuck living with them, so pay your damn electricity bill and get on with your broke life.
6. Having a roommate teaches you empathy.
Everyone goes through ups and downs, as a roommate you'll need to be there for them, not just pout and say "I'm sorry."
7. Having a roommate teaches you how to share.
Life just isn't as exciting doing things by yourself, and who better than the person sharing the same roof as you? Having a roommate truly shows you how much more fun it is to share, rather than try to enjoy something alone. It's not about the money or who owes who, it's about having fun. It all evens out anyway.
8. Having a roommate teaches you how to take care of another person.
People get sick, and not only do you not want your roommate to be sick because you don't wanna get sick, but then that means they aren't feeling well and that's just no fun. You learn to help them out and pick up medication. Truly some life skills.
9. Having a roommate teaches you sacrifice.
You know to keep quiet and perhaps not have that pre game when your roommate has an 8 a.m. exam the next morning. You learn to put things in perspective and realize how many of your needs are actually just wants.
10. Having a roommate teaches you to make the best out of a short amount of time.
You aren't going to be living together forever (most likely?) and for that short amount of time you have together, make the most of it and have fun because you'll look back fondly at the memories and laugh at the horrors that once seemed so outrageous.
Although sometimes it seems like life would be easier living alone, let's be honest, that's just not as fun or memorable. Roommates are more than just your friends, you live with them, you laugh with them and together you can accomplish anything--even that big pile of dirty dishes sitting in the kitchen right now.
YOLO, amirite?
