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There are definitely pros and cons for both living in residence and having roommates, but from my personal experience, roommates should be left to childhood short terms at summer camp.

As a first year student, I began my university career living at home with my parents. The commute was quite significant and the buses were unreliable, so although I broke into university groups and social circles very quickly, my participation was limited. Second year, I decided to go into residence. Though I had my own room, sharing a kitchen and a bathroom, the experience was far from enjoyable. I work to afford my school, and none of them did, and I felt resentment for that fact. I was working close to full time, but because of my work, I could afford little luxuries, which my roommates resented. Though I tried to give them a chance, I ended up avoiding my time there as much as I could, and moved out into a one bedroom apartment after the first semester.

While my circumstances and personality probably influenced my bad experience, the majority of my friends who have also stayed in residence also couldn't wait to get out. However, there are obviously other factors to consider, with one of the most major ones being cost. Look into the cost of living on campus versus living off campus. In my case, I could get an apartment on the expensive end for an entire year for the same cost as residence for the school year. This is including insurance, cable, and internet. I would recommend getting a phone instead of cable for those who aren't cell phone exclusive.

It is cheaper to live off campus with roommates, but you should first find people whom you feel are compatible with your personality and your lifestyle. I know of many cases where five or more people live in a home together harmoniously despite space limitations, but in all those cases, the people have extremely similar political views, extracurricular activities, diets, lifestyles, and friends. Personally, I do not want to risk breaking a friendship due to incompatible lifestyles. The only person I can imagine living with is my partner, and we both agree that a den or a spare bedroom is necessary when we want solitary moments.

Another issue is distance. I live a forty minute walk in the snow from my school in a well to do area of town. While the homes where I live are multimillion dollars for the most part, the apartments are relatively cheap. To get the same apartment I have here within ten minutes of a university, it would most

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