HERE’S THE DEAL: LIVING WITH A STRANGER CAN BE A BREEZE
Rooming with someone you don’t know might seem terrifying, but it’s actually the perfect way to step into adulthood and living on your own. Of course, going from strangers to roommates in a day can have its challenges. Follow the tips below for navigating the first few weeks so the rest of the year will be smooth sailing.
1. YOU’RE QUIRKY.
Your roomie is weird in their own way too. That means you can step into your first meeting with the confidence that you’ll get to know each other’s oddities quickly. No need to be anxious about hiding your stuffed animal collection; they might have a taxidermy hobby.
2. BE HONEST FROM DAY ONE.
Start your new roomie relationship by being totally upfront about your lifestyle habits. In bed by 9 p.m. every night and need complete silence? Want your room to be the residence hall hangout zone? Put all your expectations on the table and work them out right away to head off issues.
3. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BFFS.
Lots of students become lifelong friends with their first-year roommate, but it’s fine if you don’t quite click that way. That said, you should still take advantage of this built-in companion and go to a few welcome events together while you get your feet on the ground in college.
4. COMMUNICATION IS KEY.
Just like with any relationship, you need to keep lines of communication with your roommate open. Don’t let things that bother you fester—speak up with respectful conversation and be considerate when it comes to your own quirks that may be bothersome.
5. YOUR ROOM ISN’T AN ISLAND.
Even if your roommate is a friendship dream, remember to push yourself to try clubs and classes without them, make a variety of friends and enlist the help and support of on-campus resources outside of your residence hall.
Check out University Housing’s info page for details on first-year housing—like how to use the Roommate Finder—and be sure to check out the 25 Nebraska Learning Communities where students live and learn together! 
