Finding a college roommate can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Here’s a guide to help you find a college roommate with ease.
For many college students, living on campus is a major selling point for prospective schools. With the high cost of college, even overpriced dormitories may be a worthwhile investment.
In order to get the most out of campus living, though, many students seek someone to share their room. This is where the trouble starts.
Finding a college roommate be challenging, especially considering you don’t just want anyone sharing your living space.
When you start accepting random roommates, that’s when you get into trouble with room assignments.
You’d be surprised at the number of college students who share horror stories about their roommate situations.
Here are 7 ways you can find a college roommate that will keep your living space stress-free for all parties involved.
- Roommate Listings
- Ask your classmates
- Consider using Craigslist to find a college roommate
- Social networking
- You can always ask your friends
- Just take the plunge
- Use college housing offices
1. Roommate listings
University bulletin boards are filled with ads looking to fill up rooms in students’ homes. While they’re not necessarily ideal, it is one of the easiest ways to find someone to live with.
Therefore, consider using University bulletin boards to find roommate listings.
Many students post roommate ads in order to find a college roommate, especially for off-campus living.
The best thing about them is that the potential roommates are actively seeking out a renter, making them more serious about rooming with someone.
2. Ask your classmates
Classes are often the first time students meet each other at college – you might as well make some new friends while you have the chance!
While some students are hesitant to room with someone they may know beforehand, it’s typically a good sign if you know the person.
You can also get an idea of who would be compatible enough to share space with.
3. Consider using Craigslist to find a college roommate
Craigslist is one of the best ways to find roommates, both on and off-campus.
Many students list their room for rent with a roommate in mind. In addition, there are also ads from renters seeking roommates.
Craigslist is a good place to not only find someone to live with, but also people who want to share the cost of living together.
4. Social networking
Many students are also using social networking sites to find roommates. It’s a good way for potential roommates to get a feel for each other, and it doesn’t take much time at all!
Simply create a Facebook group, or start a blog, which you can update with pictures of your house and anything you think would be relevant to potential roommates.
5. You can always ask your friends
Of course, this is an option, and the most common way to find a roommate in college.
Simply ask people you know if they’re interested in becoming roommates with you and vice versa.
This is also good for people who don’t want to put up ads or go through the hassle of using Craigslist.
6. Just take the plunge
Most likely, your school assigns roommates to incoming freshmen. If you’re not comfortable with this, ask upperclassmen how it went for them.
It’s sometimes helpful just knowing who your roommate is going to be, in case they have any preferences or requirements that must be followed.
After all, the worst thing that can happen is that they say no. Also, remember to, interview your potential college roommate.
After all, you don’t want to move in with someone you can’t agree with on various dorm living-related issues.
7. Use college housing offices
For an even more official approach to finding a college roommate, you can check out the housing offices on campus.
They often have information about where students are looking for roommates and how you can contact them directly.
Of course, this is the most “official” way of doing it because typically you’ll be required to fill out paperwork or provide certain documentation in order to live with the person.
If you’re worried about anything like that, I’d recommend one of the other options. It is no surprise that the process of finding a college roommate can be daunting.
Conclusion
To find a college roommate who will work well with your needs and wants for living space can feel like an impossible task.
Luckily, there are many ways to find people who would make great roommates, as discussed above.
It’s just a matter of exploring your options and finding the best choice that suits you, your personality, living space, and budget.
You’ll find your perfect roommate in no time, with ease.
Just make sure that you consider the character traits you’re looking for in a roommate, and be honest when describing your living space.
Most importantly, have fun with it!
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