It's almost as important as choosing your major or registering for classes. Selecting a roommate is an important part of the college experience, and can have a great influence over a student's success away at school. Poor roommate relationships are high on the list of reasons that freshmen give for dropping out of college. There are, however, a number of things a student can do to raise the odds of a good match. * Fill out housing preference cards as soon as possible. The student, not the parent, should do it. Students are more honest about their preferences when parents aren't present. * Don't decide to room with someone you already know. Friends may not realize that they have conflicting personal habits. Additionally, rooming with a friend detracts from the experience of meeting new people. * When you are informed about who your roommate will be, contact him or her before school starts. Discuss the use of common items such as refrigerators or television sets. Introducing yourself is a friendly gesture that will help you get a good start with your roommate. * Discuss what hours you will have friends visit and how they feel about sharing various belongings. The roommates should know that when a problem arises, it's best to talk about it right away rather than allowing negative feelings to build up. |
