This semester, I lived with three new roommates than I had last year. Also this semester, both of my grandfathers died, my boyfriend of over two years and I broke up, and as usual in college, I have dealt with a lot of stress. I dealt with all of this while trying to make sure that I was a good roommate.
I was really nervous—what if they didn’t like me? What if we liked different things? What if they were messy and loud? What if they thought I was boring? What if we had different values? The three of them were already friends, so I felt like I was kind of crashing their party, being a tag-along, being a fourth wheel to their already established tricycle. I was worried that it wouldn’t work out, and that we wouldn’t become close friends. I have never been so wrong in my life, and I have never been so happy about being wrong.
I was worried that we wouldn’t be compatible, but I was way off! On move-in day, my roommates wanted to have prayer to start off the school year—something that made me feel so much better, being a Christian. They welcomed me with open arms, and we hit it off! We immediately got along and I fit right into their High School Musical sing-alongs, boy talk and dance parties. They built a positive environment that I didn’t feel last year, so I started the year feeling excited about my new roomies!
Then, my grandfather passed away unexpectedly. Naturally, I was upset and oftentimes burst into tears or didn’t feel like getting out of bed. I was worried because I had just started becoming close with these girls, so I wasn’t sure how they would respond to my grief. Immediately after my grandfather passed away, my boyfriend of over two years and I broke up, and again, I was upset. I didn’t want to depend too much on my roommates for support, but they were there, with chocolate, pizza, and Rom-Coms to make me feel better.
Even weeks later, they were willing to let me talk out my feelings, even though I had just become friends and roommates with them. They didn’t treat me weirdly, but opened me into their apartment and friendship. We became closer throughout the weeks. Later in the semster, around Thanksgiving, my other grandfather passed away. Again, I was depressed and didn’t feel like myself. But again, my roommates were there. They were willing to listen to me talk and cry, they bought me chocolate, pretzels, and a cute coffee mug. They checked on me throughout the week and offered to get me food or anything I needed. I wasn’t myself, but they were supportive.
Throughout the rest of the semester, we became closer. And now, I really couldn’t imagine being in college without these three girls. I couldn’t imagine college without the impromptu trips to Target, the group texts full of memes that describe our relationships perfectly, the hours spent reading horoscopes just so we could laugh, or the hilarious inside jokes. I couldn’t imagine college without the countless nights of watching The Office and eating way too much pizza, the nights of playing card games until 2 am, the times we all four piled up on one bed for long conversations about boys, the random song lyrics we sing at the top of our lungs while doing laundry, and the many times these three girls have comforted me in my times of sorrow.
I really couldn’t imagine going through all of the things I’ve dealt with this semester without my roommates and best friends. I’m so thankful for these three girls and all of the love and friendship they have given me. At the beginning of the semester, I never could have imagined how much my roommates would mean to me, but I’m so thankful that we’ve become so close, because they have become my best friends and one of the best things about being in college. These girls have really made me appreciate true friendship with other girls. They have supported me, and shown me what it means to be true friends, roommates, and sisters. When I graduate and move on from college, I will look back at my time with my 342 squad with the fondest memories and love.
Collegiettes, sometimes living with new people is hard, but if you find the right match of roommates, never let them go. Tell them thank you and be just as a good roommate to them as they are to you.