Before coming to college, one of the things I was most curious about was who my roommate would be. To be honest, I was nervous whenever I thought about living with a random person. All my friends were talking about finding their roommates and how they had been texting and talking. It all sounded like so much fun, and I felt like I was missing out because I still didn’t know who I’d be living with. But as time went on, I realized I actually liked the idea of having a random roommate.
One of the biggest unexpected benefits of having a random roommate is that there’s no pressure to be best friends. A lot of my friends from home went into college hoping their roommates would become their “ride or die.” I think a lot of this expectation comes from the nervousness of moving somewhere new without knowing anyone. Especially after senior year, when many of us felt closer than ever to our friends from home, leaving those friendships behind can be difficult. Because of that, it’s natural to want to find the same comfort and closeness in the person you’re living with. However, having a random roommate takes some of that pressure away.
I also think having a random roommate allows you to be more independent when starting college. You have the freedom to meet new people, create your own friendships, and develop your own routine. You can still become close with your roommate, but you don’t have to feel obligated to include each other in every plan.
Of course, the random roommate process doesn’t work out perfectly for everyone. Sometimes two people just have different personalities, habits, or lifestyles that don’t work very well together. But when it does work out, it feels very special; it almost feels like fate. In the least corny way ever, it’s wild to think that, out of all the people you could have been paired with, you somehow ended up living with someone you genuinely get along with. Someone who was a complete stranger a few months ago can become such an important part of your college experience. You never know who you’ll end up with or what kind of relationship you’ll build, and sometimes that uncertainty turns into something really great.
Ultimately, I have realized that your roommate does not have to be your best friend for you to have a great living situation. Sometimes being able to come back to your room, feel comfortable, and have your own separate life is exactly what you need. Although I didn’t get to choose my roommate, I think there’s something really nice about starting college without the pressure of finding your built-in best friend.