How to Find a Roommate for College
Wondering how to find a roommate for college?
It can definitely be a stressful process! Throughout the spring and summer, it seemed like everyone was pairing up with a roommate for freshman year.
Luckily, I was able to find a great roommate and we ended up getting along.
However, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to finding a good roommate to live with in college.
Here are the best ideas for how to find a roommate for college:
1. Reach out to friends (and friends of friends.)
Do you have any friends going off to the same college as you? That’s a natural first place to start when looking for a roommate.
However, being friends with someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be great as roommates. A lot of people will suggest not living with your friends in college at all because it can potentially damage your relationship.
It really just depends on your living habits and preferences. It’s a really good idea to go through these questions to ask a potential roommate with your friend before you decide to live together. Don’t just assume that because you’re good friends, you’ll get along well as roommates!
If you don’t think living with your friend will be a good fit, see if they have any friends who are also looking for a roommate. Sometimes this scenario works out even better, and you can still all hang out together as a group.
2. Check with family acquaintances.
Another place to look to find a roommate for college is with family acquaintances. You’ll be surprised how well this can work!
Does your parent have a coworker with a daughter who’s going to the same college as you? Does your cousin have a friend from summer camp who’s heading to the same school and has the same major as you?
It’s always worth checking with your larger network of family and acquaintances because you never know what kind of connections you’ll make.
3. Use the freshman class Facebook group.
This is one of the BEST ways to find a roommate even if you don’t know anyone who’s going to your college.
This is actually how I found my freshman roommate and it worked out well. We ended up getting along well, becoming friends, joining the same sorority, and living together again the following year.
Almost every university will have an unofficial Facebook group for the incoming freshman class. (Some will also have a group message you can join too.)
So many people uses these groups to look for roommates, and it’s common to see people posting about themselves, their habits, and preferences in order to find a roommate who’s a good fit.
You can either make your own post in the group, or respond to posts from others to find a potential roommate.
4. Look into themed dorms.
Many universities these days have themed dorms for incoming freshman students. Sometimes these are known as “learning communities” and group students together by major or interests.
If your school offers themed dorms, looking into one of them might be a good option for you if you want to find a roommate who is on the same page as you regarding study habits or interests.
Just remember to still go through these potential roommate questions before deciding to live with someone.
5. Accepted student meet-ups or orientation.
A lot of universities have meet-ups for accepted students in the spring or summer before freshman year starts.
Going to one of these local meet-ups can be a great way to meet other students who are going to the same school. Who knows, you might meet someone you click with and decide to room together!
Another option for meeting people is summer orientation if your school offers it. Many people will still be looking for a roommate.
6. Go with a random roommate assignment.
If you don’t end up finding a roommate for college, getting a random roommate assignment can sometimes work out really well!
I know many girls who were randomly matched as roommates freshman year and ended up becoming great friends.
Yes, there are horror stories about nightmare random roommates who are impossible to get along with, but that could honestly happen even with someone you know. (And the chances of it happening are very slim!)
Even if you don’t end up becoming best friends with your roommate, sometimes just having someone who you get along with and live well with is even better.
Other Tips for Finding a Roommate
Hopefully these six ideas for finding a roommate were helpful for you!
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when it comes to finding a roommate for college:
Know what you want in a roommate.
Knowing what you want in a roommate is extremely important. Just because someone might have all the qualities you look for in a best friend, doesn’t mean they have the same qualities you would want in a roommate!
Go through these questions and note down what’s most important to you and what your answers are. Then look for a potential roommate who is on the same page as you for the important stuff.
Communicate openly.
To avoid awkward situations and arguments down the road, it’s better to have open communication with your potential roommate. Be honest about what your expectations are and discuss things like your boundaries, habits, and schedules.
Be flexible and open-minded.
For most people, college is the first time they’ve ever shared a tiny room the size of a shoebox with someone. No matter how perfectly you and your roommate get along, there will be little annoyances that pop up from time to time.
Remember to be flexible and open-minded, and keep your cool even in times of disagreement or frustration.
More Dorm Living Ideas
Moving off to college is a fun and exciting time, but can also be stressful!
Here are some of my most helpful resources for preparing to move to college and live in a dorm for the first time:
