As an incoming college freshman, adjusting to living with a new roommate can be one of the most difficult and terrifying aspects of the college experience. Most college freshman have never been forced to share a space as confining as a college dorm room with anyone, let alone a complete stranger. And yet this is what many freshmen have to look forward to on their first day of college.

The lucky ones will click immediately and end up forming life-long friendships. The unlucky ones are often in for months of unhappiness and frustration. The majority will learn to get along, but most likely will find their own separate social circles as they begin to meet other students within their majors or that share similar interests. Come sophomore year, many of these students will pair up to room with someone from their new social circle.

Colleges have a variety of different philosophies when it comes to the roommate selection process. Some see it as a delicate art form and pride themselves on how meticulously they strive to find the perfect match. Others prefer to leave it up to chance. Larger schools are likely to rely more heavily on technology, while smaller schools may play a more personal role in the selection process.

Of course, many universities do allow students to choose their own roommate. However, it is vital that both potential roommates request one another in order to make the selection official. If just one of you makes the request, it will most likely not be granted. Thankfully, this helps to prevent someone from choosing you as a roommate without your consent. If you are lucky enough to be attending the same school as a close friend, selecting a roommate might be simple and relatively stress-free. However, living with a friend does not necessarily guarantee a hassle-free freshman year. Sharing a dorm room has actually been known to damage even some of the strongest friendships. Carefully weigh the pros and cons and discuss the situation honestly before deciding to room with a friend.

Even at those colleges where the administration chooses to play a passive role in the roommate selection process, certain factors are bound to narrow down your prospects. For example, many colleges will designate certain dorms or floors for different lifestyles. On those campuses that still allow it, there may be a separate dorm for students who smoke. It is also not uncommon for colleges to offer a substance-free hall or to designate certain floors as "quiet study

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