Having a Roommate, Central College Experience

Throughout high school, I shared my room with my siblings. While it was a great experience to talk when we went to bed at the same time, we hardly had the same sleep schedules. On the weekends, we stayed up getting to know each other, but during the week, I went to bed much later. College thus far has been a different case.

Having a roommate in college has been a central part to my college experience. Because we have had generally the same sleep schedules, I have been able to get really close to both my roommates from freshman and sophomore year.

My freshman year, I had a roommate who also played sports. She was on the softball team, while I was on the basketball team. Although she was from a completely different part of the country, New York, we both got along well. The key to our relationship was talking at night about what we did that day, and what we had learned. Being athletes, both of us were extremely busy during the day with practices and schoolwork. Seeing each other on campus hardly ever happened, unless our practice times overlapped and we saw each other in the training room, or at meals in the mess hall. But at night, we were able to learn about each other’s personalities, and also give advice to each other.

Now, during my sophomore year, I have a fellow RA as a roommate. She is also from a different part of the world than me, Bulgaria. However, her cultural differences have been interesting to discover in our talks at night. As a junior Bio major, who also works more than 10 hours a week, Bilyana is constantly busy during the day. I also hardly ever see her on campus, save for some planned dinners. But through our night talks, we have bonded much this year.

In both cases with my roommates, talking at night has been our bonding moments. I think this is a similar experience with many other college students. You don’t always get paired with a similar person, but throughout the semester, if you are willing to talk and get to know each other, your commonality in struggling through school will bring you two together.

My advice for someone anxious to share a room in college? Be tolerant. But also, be yourself. Try to understand your roommate’s habits, and be ready to share part of your life with them. I have been so happy with the atmosphere created in my room. It’s always nice to know you can come back to your room and trust your roommates with your stories.