Some of you who are reading this are heading off to college for the first time in the fall, eager to see what’s in store for your future. It’s so exciting to get your acceptance letters and to commit to your school; it all feels real after that. Then, the next step is to sign up for student housing and to choose a roommate.

I was about to go to a school where a few of my close friends were going. You question yourself on whether to room with them or try to meet someone new. That is apart of the “college experience,” right? You want to meet as many new friends and people as possible. But, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone so familiar with you and to have that backbone? These questions flurried in my mind for weeks until one of my best friends and I decided we should just room together.

I've heard horror stories about rooming with friends in college. I was told multiple times that it would ruin our friendship and that it just wouldn’t work out. I just looked at everyone who said this and replied, “I don’t have one concern.” Which was true— I wasn’t worried at all about rooming with my friend. We have a friendship that meshes well together.

If you’re unsure about rooming with a friend, my advice is to really think about it. If you have any concerns, then clear it up with your friend before you commit. I know people who went to school with a random roommate, and it worked out just fine. I also know people who went random and it turned out awful. It’s the same with rooming with a friend. I truly believe you just know if it’s going to work out or not. You risk a friendship, and that’s something you never want to lose.

After my first semester of college, my roommate and I are still great friends and nothing has changed. As if we don’t see each other enough, we hang out almost every day that we are home on breaks, too. We also are talking about the possibilities of rooming next year. I even think it helped me to have someone I was so comfortable with because my start to college was not ideal at all, but she helped me get through it. I believe that I am extremely lucky to have had a roommate situation that worked out so well. The process to get out of your roommate dilemma is stressful and it’s something I don’t think I would have handled well.

To all the people who are going through this process of deciding who to live with, you are the one who makes the decision. If you have a friend who you would love to room with, go for it! If you’re more for meeting someone new then more power to you! Good luck with your search for your roomie.