by Sun Meilan

Created on: August 02, 2010

There are a number of advantages to having a roommate at college; for a start you have a ready-made friend and someone to explore with when you first arrive. However, there is a risk that you could end up sharing a room with someone you really dislike. It may not be possible to avoid this completely, but there are a number of ways you can ensure that your college roommate is someone that you get with. 

*Decide on a list of attributes

Your college will send you a questionnaire about the sort of person you would like to share with. Think carefully about the sort of person you would like to share a room with. If you hate loud music, for example, then you will want to avoid someone who plays a musical instrument or likes rock music. If you hate smoking, then ask for a non-smoker. 

*Try and match up hobbies

It could be useful to find a roommate who has similar hobbies to you. If, for example, you enjoy sport and are likely to be getting up early in the morning to practice, it would be ideal if your roommate did the same. It will also give you a great deal more to talk about than if one of you is sporty and out-going and the other is very studious and timid. 

*Be prepared to compromise

You should realise, however, that you aren't going to find a carbon copy of yourself (and even if you do, you won't necessarily get on!). You should therefore decide where you are going to be willing to compromise. You might, for example, be willing to accept someone who is not the tidiest of people if they can cook well and you can't. 

*Suggest someone you know

If you know someone that is going to the same college as you, then it is worth considering sharing with them. They may not be your closest friend, but at least you have an idea of what they are like and should be able to tolerate them. Of course, if you know you won't be able to tolerate them, then stay well clear. 

*Find out all you can about them

If you can, find out what you can about your roommate before you even meet. This will give you a good sense of whether they are right for you, although, of course, you will need to meet them before making a final decision. It will also create a bond so that, when you do meet, you will already have things to think about. 

*If it's not working, ask to change

You will need to give the situation a try, but if you get to college and really struggle to get on with your roommate, then it is worth asking to change. You should, of course, discuss this first with your roommate, so that you cause as little offence as possible and it is certainly worth trying to patch things up first, perhaps with the help of someone to mediate. 

There is no foolproof system for choosing a roommate, but provided you consider the tips above, you have a good chance of finding someone you get on with well. 

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