In the spring semester of my senior year, I had a difficult decision to make. I had already decided that I would be attending the University of Pikeville and that I would be living on campus in a dorm. The only thing left to decide was who I thought would make a good roommate. After a week or so, I found out that my best friend had also decided on UPike. After talking it over with her we decided rooming together was the best option. Although we heard from other people that you should never room with your best friend in college, here are five reasons that it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

1. I Already Knew My Roomie

Because we had been friends for so long, I trusted my roommate enough to know that she wasn’t going to be the weird person who would hover over me while I slept. She could be trusted to stay in a room with my belongings while I was gone and I didn’t have to worry about anything turning up missing. Another thing I knew was that she was a clean freak and that she would pick up after herself. The fact that I already knew these things about her made it so much easier to get adjusted to living together.

2. We Share Clothes

If I lived with someone other than my best friend, I wouldn’t be able to go through their closet and pick out an outfit for the day. What’s mine is hers and what’s hers is mine. It’s so funny that when one of us goes shopping, we always end up texting the other saying “Roomie, I bought US some new clothes!”

3. We’re a Team

Whether it’s helping each other with homework or cleaning the dorm, we can always count on each other to assist in any situation. Because I have limited use of my hands and problems with fine motor skills, I sometimes ask my Roomie for help buttoning buttons, tying shoes or even opening up bottled water. I, in return, edit and proofread all of her papers and help her with her homework. No matter how big or small the task at hand, I know we will have each other’s back.

4. Our Late Night Convos

At the end of a long day, we sit on our beds and talk about everything that has happened that day. The topics of our conversations can range from boyfriends to our hardest classes to the latest bit of gossip we have heard. No matter how tired we are we almost always get carried away and end up staying up to 2:00 A.M. just reconnecting.

5. She is the Sister I Never Had

Living together has made us so much closer. I know that I can depend on her for anything. Not only is she my roommate, she is my best friend, my sister, my confidant, my support system, my call for backup and so much more. I couldn’t imagine college or life without her.