As you’re heading into your freshman year, meeting your first college roommate for the first time can be an exciting, yet be a nerve-wracking experience. Having a random roommate invites the possibility of spending an entire year with someone who might either be your new best friend, or simply might just sleep in the other bed. Luckily, we’ve got a few tips for how to get to know your roommate before it’s time to move in!
1. Talk on the phone or FAcetime.
Face time with your roommate before move-in day is important: Not only do you want to avoid potential awkwardness if you can, but it can also help you get some key questions out of the way. For example, are they a super clean or casually messy person? Do they follow a strict daily routine you need to be aware of? Do they have any allergies you should know about, in case you’re planning on stashing snacks in the room when you arrive?
Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to break the ice! It’s also the perfect time to figure out what classes and majors they might be considering, if they want to go out or stay in, and more, so you know if you have a potential study buddy (or brunch buddy) on your hands. If you’re eager to figure out your dorm aesthetic, you can also chat about your room, and start brainstorming how you want to decorate it. Do you want to have a Bohemian vibe and get a colorful comforter? Or are you both minimalists and want to buy crisp, white sheets? It’ll be a great time to plan ahead and get excited for move-in day!
2. Go out to lunch.
What better way to bond with your roommate than to do it over food? If distance isn’t an issue for you and your new roomie, try out a new restaurant in your hometown or even where you’ll be going to school. Everyone loves to eat, and nothing brings two people together better than a meal. If you can’t make the distance work, you can both cook something at home and then do it virtually over FaceTime! The food you pick can even be a conversation starter.
A simple lunch or dinner date can give the two of you a chance to learn about each other’s interests, where you’re from, and what types of things you like to do to have fun. It’s also a way to keep things short and sweet just in case you run out of things to talk about!
3. Follow each other on social media.
Social media is a great option for getting to know your roommates when distance is in the way. Whether you add each other on TikTok or become mutuals on Instagram, social media can be a great way for you to be introduced to the type of person your roommate is.
Once you know more about their sense of humor, you can even start sending them TikToks or memes you see that remind you of them. It’s a great way to keep the conversation going and make each other laugh — which can translate into a successful roommate situation.
4. Attend a pre-college event together.
A lot of schools have pre-college events for freshmen to give them a chance to get a feel for college life while getting to know the people in their class, whether it’s a mixer, a sporting event, or some kind of trip out into your college city. An event like this is also a great way for you and your roommate to get to know other people together while also getting an idea of the types of people you both like to hang out with.
Your relationship with your roommate can have a pretty big effect on your freshman experience, so why not try to make it the best it can be? You don’t have to end up being best friends in the end, but you can at least put forth the effort to get to know each other before you arrive on campus.