Pros & Cons of Friends as Roommates

Let's debate: should friends room together in college? This is an issue which can be especially relevant to incoming freshman when they are forced to decide upon a roommate. There are solid arguments to both sides. So, let's analyze the pros and cons of rooming with a buddy. It's up to you to determine which side you agree with most and what's best, given your particular situation. Pro: You already know each other There’s no awkward stepping-on-eggshells period, since you two are already buddies. Con: You could get stuck in high school The whole point of college is to meet new people, gain new experiences and broaden your horizons. While it may be comforting having a friend by your side, you don’t want to hold yourself back from making new friends and having new experiences. It’s great to keep in touch with the high school gang, but make sure you’re trying to gain new friends, too. Pro: You can plan your room together Who doesn’t want to have an awesome pad? If you already know the person you’re rooming with, it makes planning out your tricked out dorm room that much easier. Con: A great friend doesn’t always equal a great roommate Just because you’re great friends, doesn’t mean you’d be ideal roommates. Often times, friends are opposites of one another. It may be better to choose someone by focusing on similar living qualities that you respect versus your BFF. Pro: You won’t get stuck with someone awful You’ve heard the horror stories. Perhaps rooming with a friend can eliminate the risk of having a disrespectful or downright terrible roommate all together. Con: It’s awkward confronting a friend There are certain situations that come up when living with someone that may not come up in a friendship. Sure, dirty socks on the floor aren’t the end of the world, but a stranger might respect your feelings and adjust their habits quickly whereas a friend might laugh it off and tell you to deal with it. By the end of the year, you could become ticking time bombs if you two aren’t careful! Pro: It’s comforting to have a familiar face around in college While college is an exciting time, it can also be intimidating and, even, a little bit scary to be on your own. Having a familiar face around to experience it with may make the transition a little bit smoother. Con: If things don’t work out, you can ruin a friendship Let’s assume you room with your bestie and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. You don’t want to lose your friend because the two of you can’t seem to make it work in a living situation. Situations can become stressful, taking two people from friends to frenemies. Pro: You already have common ground If you are from the same hometown and, perhaps, the same high school, chances are you have a lot in common and are that much more understanding of where the other person is coming from (sometimes literally). Whichever choice you make, don’t feel pressured. It’s always best to consider the options and make the best choice for you, regardless of what others may say. Chances are you’ll come out unscathed whether you have an ideal roommate or a roommate from you-know-where. Remember to try to make the best of the situation, whatever it may be, and have a great time experiencing new and different situations. We want to hear it all: the good, the bad and the crazy. Please share your roommate experiences below!