By: Emma DeWeese

Choosing a roommate can be difficult and scary, especially for students moving far from home. There is no perfect guide to picking a roommate, but there are tips and tricks for finding someone that will work for you.

The first step according to CollegeChoice.net is to figure out who you are and what you expect from a roommate. Making a list of expectations is a clear way of looking at your expectations. For example, some people want their roommate to help them study and see them from time to time while some people expect their roommate to be their best friend and go out together. Some things to take into consideration are how clean you are, your sleep schedule, your major and class load, and extracurricular activities in order to find a roommate that will align with your life.

Now it is time to join and follow social media sites for your selected college. Instagram is a key tool for schools to connect with their students and it is a great way to find other students also looking for a roommate. Most colleges will also start a page for incoming freshmen to introduce themselves to other new students. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the possible people to choose from but try to find students with similar interests, majors, and goals.

Once you meet a group of people you feel comfortable living with, it is time to narrow down your choices. It may seem weird to interview potential friends and roommates, but it is the best way to make sure you obtain a positive living situation. If it is possible, meet up with the person and get coffee or a meal and get to know each other. This is the time to ask questions and they will naturally have questions as well. While expectations are highly important, make sure how well you click with the person is taken into account. It will be easier to live with someone you feel comfortable around than forcing a relationship based purely on a list.

The last step is to confirm with the person you choose that they would like to live with you as well. If they choose you then you are ready to make it official with your school, but if they feel differently, keep meeting people until you find someone who wants to room with you. It can be discouraging to be rejected, but there are so many new people to meet that everyone is guaranteed to find someone.

Another option is to select a random roommate selection, which could be scary but exciting. Although you won’t personally pick the person you will live with, the college usually takes into consideration personal interests, activities, and majors.