Recently, I started a new journey in my life, and that is this thing called college. I have been living on campus, 1,100 miles away from my family, for eight weeks now. In the short time that I have been here, I've already learned a lot. More specifically I have learned how to be a roommate.

First off let me just say my roommate is awesome. I love her, we get along great and our room is never too messy. We both pick up after ourselves and are pretty good friends, but some people don't hit the roommate jackpot. Now, even though my roommate is wonderful, it has still been a learning experience for me.

Growing up, I have gone from sleeping on a pallet in my parents' room. Then I shared a room with my brother, then my brother switched with my sister, then my sister got her own room. At different points in my life I have had to share a room with someone, but when I was 11, my sister finally got her own room (my sister is eight years older than me, so I'm sorry Evie that you had to share your room with an eight-year-old when you were 16). So that is seven years of not having to share my personal space with anyone. In college, I now have to share a room again, and I was kind of nervous. I wanted to be a good roommate, and I wasn't sure if I knew how to be. I know one thing's for certain, I've learned a lot.

I first learned how to accept help, like actual help, carrying my stuff in. I am stubborn and independent, and I don't like to burden people with my problems, any of them. When I got here my RA insisted on helping my parents and I move my stuff inside, and for that I am grateful. I have always enjoyed helping others, so why wouldn't other's be willing to help me out? My first day taught me that, and my roommate continues to teach me that by being willing to lend a helping hand, especially pertaining to burnt popcorn (we'll figure it out one day Makenna).

I also learned that sharing a small space isn't all that bad. My only experience sharing space has been with family, so I had some predispositions on what to expect, but it hasn't been bad at all. Most of that has to do with the fact that Makenna and I get along really well. We each have our own space and there are no arguments over whose space is whose. Yet when we are in the room together we talk well and enjoy each others company, and if we aren't talking it isn't uncomfortable.

I also figured out that I am not as organized as I thought I was. My roommate Makenna, is extremely organized. She has lists and an Intricate planner. I don't even know how to describe how organized she is. She always has a plan and knows exactly what to do next, she gets things done quickly and efficiently. I am not that way and that is okay. We balance each other out well. She pushes me to study harder, although she doesn't say anything. I just tend to study harder when she is around cause she silently encourages it, and for that I am thankful.

Through sharing my space I learned how to laugh, I know that's super cheesy. Allow me to explain. I laugh a lot already, but being Makenna's roommate has taught me to laugh more than I already do. When I am watching something and I chuckle cause I think it's funny, Makenna normally asks "What?" and even if she doesn't ask I tell her anyway because why not? Things are WAY funnier when you have someone to share them with. So thank you Makenna for letting me share my stupid jokes and dry humor with you.

I have also learned how to cry. First let me say, I hate crying especially in front of people. I have cried in front of Makenna twice now. First time I was crying to my mom on the phone, and I don't even remember why I was crying. Makenna came into our room and went about her routine and didn't say anything. She just let me cry, somehow she knew that was exactly what I needed. After I stopped crying she even asked if I was okay, and it wasn't awkward. It was oddly comfortable.

I had a lot of expectations before I came here. What I didn't expect was to feel so comfortable around someone who didn't know my past. I didn't expect to laugh so much, and I didn't expect to become good friends with my roommate.

Lastly, I know what's mine, I know what's hers, and I would never tell her to get her own.