It’s no secret that finding a roommate can be one of the most stressful parts of the move to college. A thousand worries can circle your mind if you hear horror stories of bad roommate situations. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! As you enter the roommate search process, here are five truths to keep in mind:
1. Very Few Students Live With the Same Person Every Year
While it is obviously a great thing to be able to live with the same person every year of college, it honestly is not the reality for a majority of college students. Things happen, and whatever the reason, roommates can split up. This is not necessarily even a bad thing. When I conclude my time at Cedarville, I will have had a few different roommates. This was not because any of them were bad or there was a horrible conflict amongst us; we just had different plans for the new school year that did not align with us being able to be roommates, and that is okay. Most people at Cedarville have switched roommates at some point in their college career, so don’t put so much pressure on yourself to find your roommate “soulmate!”
2. You Don’t Have To Be Best Friends To Be Good Roommates
There are many perspectives on what makes a good roommate relationship, but one thing to keep in mind is that one size does not fit all. Not everyone is going to be best friends with their college roommate. While it can certainly be a natural thing that roommates become good friends, it is totally okay to not be the best of friends with your college roommate. It is perfectly natural to get along with your roommate but not hit it off so much that you do everything and go everywhere together! Good roommate pairings are built on a mutual respect for one another, not necessarily your closest friendship. It can be a great thing to find a best friend in your roommate, but don’t make that the standard of what a roommate has to be.
3. Go Into the Year With an Open Mind
It is so important to enter the year with an open mind. Each person and roommate relationship is different, and having specific expectations can put a tremendous strain on your roommate relationship before it even starts. Instead, keep an open mind about what your roommate and relationship will be like. Better yet, my advice to you would be that you pray for them and think on how you can best love them throughout the year. Your roommate will be a constant person in your life throughout the year, so come into the year with a heart to love and serve them as best you can!
4. Just Be Bold!
It can be easy to get wrapped up in the pressures and worries of finding a roommate. However, I would greatly encourage you to take a step back from all of those worries and just be bold. Do the hard thing and trust God as He leads you where He has willed. As believers, we know that God alone is sovereign and we are not, so no matter how much we worry, we cannot change His plans. So try to relax and enjoy the process of meeting new people, trusting that God will provide the perfect roommate for you at this time of your life. The relationship may look different from what you had expected it to be, but just trust Him and take a step out in faith. Allow God to work in and through you in this process as you put your confidence in Him. Find joy in the opportunity to interact and chat with so many new people and seek ways to love and serve them intentionally!
5. Trust in the Sovereignty of God
Amidst the many pressures and possible horror stories you may have heard can be a part of finding a college roommate, don’t forget to keep your eyes fixed on Christ as you wholeheartedly trust Him through this process. Allow prayer to be a key component of this search and have a heart that clings to the truth of who He is. God is sovereign over the chaos and the sweet beauties of life, so why would He be any less in control over this? Don’t forget to find gratitude in this time for His work and faithfulness. Rest in the comfort of His goodness as you excitedly see what He has in store for you and trust that He will provide you the opportunities to love and serve Him and others through your future roommate relationships.
Class: 2027
Major: Language Arts Education and Women’s Ministry Minor
Hometown: Lynchburg, Virginia
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:1-10
Go-To Coffee Shop Drink: Iced Chai Latte
Fun Fact or Interesting Hobby: I deliberately never match my socks
Favorite Thing About Being A Cedarville Student: I love the Christ-centered community and the gospel-centered teaching at Cedarville!
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