Spring is upon us super early this year, and life as a collegiette couldn’t be sunnier. And then, next thing you know, lottery numbers are released and a wave of panic spreads across campus as friend groups divide and monopolize in preparation to fight to the death for The Best Apartment. But before you go group-living crazy and start nesting, it is beyond important that you take the often-neglected step of thinking carefully about who, exactly, you are agreeing to co-habitate with. The obvious solution? Your best friends of course! Best decision ever? Not necessarily. They may be the best wingwomen ever, or maybe you all watch Gossip Girl together like it’s your job, but even Blair and Serena have had some seriously ugly roomie drama since they moved in together…and they’re living in a penthouse with endless space and Dorota at their service! Read on for some key pros and cons to consider before you sign that binding contract to live with your BFFs.
Pro #1: Your support system is literally right next door.
When it’s been a really rough day, you’re PMSing like no other, or you bombed a midterm you were so sure you aced, you won’t have to look very far at all to find a shoulder to cry on. These girls are your best friends—they know what movie will always cheer you up and which kind of M&Ms cure a bad day. There are very few boundaries when you’re living with your best friends, but that can make for super intense bonds that you will carry with you for the rest of your life!
Con #1: You can’t just take a break.
Even though you love your BFFs, sometimes you just need to take a break and blow off some steam when one (or all of them) are just driving you crazy. That can be pretty difficult to accomplish when the very people you need to escape from for awhile are sitting on your bed or chilling in your kitchen when you get back from class. It’s time for a major moment of honesty while thinking about your friends. If you regularly need a break from one or more of the girls in your future housing group I can pretty much guarantee that you will be miserable by the end of September.
Pro #2: You’re so comfortable with each other.
By living with your BFFs, you completely avoid those awkward sleepaway camp-like moments when everyone is standing around in towels shuffling their feet trying to graciously divide up shower time. These are your best friends—you change clothes together in fitting rooms all the time, and you can speak in baby talk while Skyping with your dog and it’s totally normal. Your level of comfort with the girls you live with will completely determine whether or not your new apartment feels like a home away from home.
Con #2: Speaking your mind can be really hard.
It’s one thing to ask a rando to be quieter when she comes in at night or to stop touching your stuff when you go to class, but when it’s your best friend at school who is violating good roommate etiquette? Broaching that subject can feel too awkward to be worth the stress, but your feelings are of equal importance regardless of who’s sharing your space. Things get even trickier when you move beyond cleaning issues and the problem is that you don’t like her boyfriend, or think she’s been acting super fake. If you can’t tell her how you really feel without having a panic attack right now, things will only escalate when you move into your new digs.
Ultimately, choosing housing is a time for you to think about what you want and need to be happy in a living environment. If you are 100% honest with yourself in thinking about all of the pros and cons of living with your best friends, you will end up making the right decision and will be thrilled when it’s time for Move-In Day in September!