I stopped sharing a room with my brother when I was 10 years old. Last summer, I was excited to go off to college and have a new roommate. However, I had forgotten what it was like to share a room with another person, and was nervous to see how it would turn out. Fortunately, I had the best roommate experience freshman year, and discovered a few reasons why sharing a dorm room with another person is one of the best things that can ever happen to you.

Here are some roles your roommate will take throughout the year, which you will quickly learn to appreciate.

1. The Motivator

Everyone has had those lazy days where you lay around watching Netflix, but later regret not starting your paper or catching up on your laundry. However, in college, watching your roommate take action on their to-do list really does motivate you to tackle your own. Their words of encouragement are also motivators, like when you say, "I'm just gonna finish that WebLab tomorrow," and they reply, "You know you're going to wish you started it now. Do it now, nap an hour longer tomorrow."

2. The Workout Buddy

After sharing a large Buffalo Chicken Domino's pizza, you are not left alone with a guilty conscience. Together, you encourage each other to make your way through a 10 minute Blogilates workout on YouTube before you end up falling asleep with a stomach full of junk.

3. The Therapist

From the stress of school to drama with friends, your roommate is always available for you to vent to. Whether they offer advice, a hug, or just company, it is always comforting to know that someone has your back, even if you're wrong.

4. The Tutor

If you are lucky enough, your worst subject in school is your roommate's best. A free and patient tutor beats a TeacherTube tutorial any day.

5. The Human Alarm Clock

Sometimes, you don't trust yourself enough to wake from your nap for class at the sound of your alarm. It is always reassuring to know that your roommate has your back and will help you out when you leave a Post-It on the door saying, "WAKE ME UP AT 3:00 AND DON'T LET ME FALL BACK ASLEEP."

6. The Match Maker (for friends)

Even though you might spend the majority of your time with your roommate, they still have friends from classes or sports that you don't know. It's always a plus when you come back to your room to find someone you have yet to meet, hanging out with your roommate. An automatic friend!

7. The Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Date

Grabbing a meal alone can be one of the most awkward and intimidating moments in college. Luckily, it's in the roommate contract that if you are both free, you are obligated to accompany the other to breakfast/lunch/dinner, even if you are not hungry.

8. The Stylist

Not only do you have double the clothes when you share a room with another person, but you also have access to completely honest opinions on whether you look mismatched, too comfy, or too trashy.

9. The Best Friend

This is the most important role of a roommate. Someone who you can share a laugh with that is heard down the hall, someone who tosses you a tissue box when you're crying over "Blackfish" on Netflix, someone who surprises you with iced coffee in the morning, someone who doesn't get mad when you lock them out of the room when they're in the shower, and most important, someone who loves you, no matter what.