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While some people have wonderful experiences with their freshman year roommates, and others live through nightmares, what this question really boils down to is the personality of the student. Sure, even the introverted student getting roomed up with the beer-bonging, body-painting, school-spirited party planner has the advantage of teaching both students (hopefully) a lesson in tolerance, respect, and communication, but certain personalities just don't lend themselves to this kind of companionship.

My school has a system that requires freshman students to have a roommate, and after the first year students can request a room change to a single. Most students remain in the double rooms with a roommate, and it is wonderful that so many students have such great interpersonal skills. The majority of students who do request a room change are quiet, studious young adults who simply are less interpersonally inclined, and why should they have to be? Not everyone is good at music, and not everyone has to be. Not everyone is good at writing, math, or building houses, and not everyone has to be. College students are looking for their place in the world, and if they know going into college that they are simply not one of those people that needs to be good at getting along with anyone, then they shouldn't be forced into having a roommate.

So after my freshman year of living with a roommate, what did I choose? It doesn't really matter, but I'll relay the information anyway. I went through the first semester with a nice young lady who, though we differed on everything from our majors (humanities vs. science) to our styles (punk outcast vs. BET music video), at least managed to get along with me until the end of the first semester. I was kind of glad she moved out; she used to bring guys in while I was trying to sleep, tended to ignore her early-morning alarm, and liked to stay up late playing loud music.

The second semester's roommate was a little more difficult. She was cleanly, which is a good quality, but not when her need to Lysol-wipe everything she touched and her requests that I keep the majority of my personal items out of sight started to strain the relationship. She moved out before the end of the semester. In the end, I spared any future roommates from having to put up with me and I requested a single, which works for me, and probably would have worked for me just fine freshman year even if it meant that today I would have yet to find out just how difficult I am to live with. Still, that's a lesson I wouldn't have minded learning from someone closer to me and more willing to work it out rather than move out.

Learn more about this author, Shannon Burton.
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