by Margaret Butterfield

Created on: November 15, 2009

Every one remembers or fears the day when they hear the key in the dorm door on the first day of college. You're about to meet your roommate. This can be nerve wrenching, especially when you first set eyes on them.

Congratulations, the two of you will now be eating, sleeping, and cohabiting in nearly every possible way in a 10 by 10 room, for the next 9 to 10 months. There is a 50/50 chance you are going to love each other or hate each other. Due to the statistics I just gave you, it's unfortunately, the latter.

There is the hermit roommate, the clingy roommate, the sex crazed roommate, the druggie roommate, so many types!

The hermit roommate stays in the room all the time, they never go out to freshman orientation activities, and commandeer a lot of the space to themselves. Try as you might to be friendly, he or she cannot seem to tear away from the bedroom.

The clingy roommate wants to do EVERYTHING with you ALL THE TIME. There isn't an activity that you shouldn't do together, included brushing your teeth or spending a date with your boyfriend or girlfriend. And as polite as you can be, well, they will never get the hint to back off.

The sex crazed roommate always has a reason to be in the room, and come bedtime, the room may not be restricted to just you and your roomie. The sex crazed roommate always has a buddy over, sometimes even in the day, and that is just inconvenient.

The druggie roommate, well, self explanatory, is much like the hermit, only the addiction can be very detrimental for both of your health. This is an awkward situation for everyone.

So why do 65-70% of us end up resenting that particular person? Here are a couple of reasons.

Firstly, many of us, especially those who attend more prestigious universities, grew up in our own rooms, with our own privacy. Those roommates who both have shared a room at some point are more likely to have better success at getting along

Secondly, many of us are accustomed to our privacy, and thus doubt that we will be able to 'endure this ideal. Successful roommates tend to reach out to each other and give each other the benefit of the doubt.

Thirdly, colleges tend to match students up by their interests, but sometimes, you are stuck with the exact opposite. Successful roommates tend to share the same morals, habits, and interests, however, many also with differing interests can be just as beneficial.

The roommate from hell is truly the one who doesn't listen or compromise. If you cannot share your space or your temper, then it is truly a sign of a longer, much more miserable year.

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