The one rule I had for college was I had to room with someone I didn't know. I never argued with this rule because I always enjoyed meeting new people. Also, I wanted to go a big university just so I could meet new people so rooming with someone I knew would kind of ruin this. When you room with someone from your hometown you won't be willing to go out and meet new people. I know everyone has their own opinion about this topic but college is the time of our lives to make mistakes and meet new people.
Your friends in college are going to be your friends for a lifetime. I'm not saying ditch your high school friends that go to the same college as you. I still hang out with all my friends from my hometown, they have been there for me through everything and it's not right to ditch them for new friends. But if you room with a friend you aren't going to go out of your way to meet new people. Meeting new people is always fun because you meet someone and they might be just like you. Everyone is so different and it's exciting to meet people who come from all different backgrounds and have so many interesting stories.
I know theirs a ton of horror stories about going random and it scares a lot of people. Trust me I was a little nervous about this too. Universities have another way you can find a roommate, they make a Facebook page for freshman only. On the Facebook page you're supposed to type a little bio about yourself and if you see someone else bio and you think you would be a good pick then you message them. This is how I found my roommate Jessica. I was looking at her bio and we had a lot of common interests. I messaged her on Facebook and we talked for probably 4 days straight. Jess is now one of my best friends and we spend almost every second together.
If I didn't go on Facebook and try to find someone I would've never met Jess. Jess is literally the best person on this planet. We are both very needy people and we always want attention. When we're both in our room doing homework one of us will make s stupid noise to get the others attention just to say hi. I knew I wanted to be friends with my roommate but I didn't expect to be best friends with her. Whenever I go home she comes home with me and my family treats her like just another sister. She always knows how to cheer me up. So take the chance and room with someone you don't know! You could meet your next best friend!