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From choosing which school you’re going to attend to picking a major, there are a lot of big decisions that come with going to college.______________________________________________________________As you prepare for college life, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing your roommate. For many people, their college roommates become their closest friends for life. ______________________________________________________________While not everyone is that lucky, at the very least, you want a roommate who you can stand being around.______________________________________________________________So, how do you find a great roommate? ______________________________________________________________Check out this guide to learn how to find a roommate for college. ______________________________________________________________Know What You Want ______________________________________________________________Before you start searching for a roommate, you first need to figure out what you want in a roommate. ______________________________________________________________Do you want someone who will be your best friend and go to parties with you and study with you? Or, do you want someone who will mostly keep to themselves? ______________________________________________________________ It’s also important to understand your own habits when finding a roommate. For example, if you’re a bit messy, then you’ll want to choose a roommate who can tolerate this. Or, if you’re a night owl, you’ll want to find a roommate who doesn’t mind a bit of noise at night. ______________________________________________________________if you like privacy, then you’ll want to look for a roommate who has a different schedule than you so you can have the apartment to yourself once in a while. ______________________________________________________________Ask Around ______________________________________________________________Once you know what you’re looking for in a roommate, it’s time to start asking around for candidates. ______________________________________________________________Usually, the best place to start is with your friends and classmates. If you have someone in mind who you think would be a good roommate, don’t be afraid to ask them outright. Otherwise, you can ask people you know if they know of anyone who is looking for a roommate.______________________________________________________________Take Your Search Online ______________________________________________________________If you’re having trouble finding recommendations from your inner circle, then it’s time to take your search online.______________________________________________________________There are apps and websites you can use for finding a roommate, and you can also check Facebook groups and campus forums. Of course, you need to exercise caution when finding a roommate online. Don’t be afraid to ask for background checks and references.______________________________________________________________You can also find a roommate the old fashioned way by posting flyers on campus. ______________________________________________________________Interview Candidates ______________________________________________________________Of course, before you make the leap to make someone your roommate, you should conduct an informal interview.______________________________________________________________Even if your potential roommate is someone you’re already friends with, you should still have a conversation about roommate expectations/house rules. ______________________________________________________________If you’re thinking about moving in with a stranger, here are some questions you should ask: ______________________________________________________________Are you a clean person? ______________________________________________________________How do you want to split chores?______________________________________________________________Are you a night owl or morning person?______________________________________________________________Do you plan to have parties? ______________________________________________________________Do you have any pets? ______________________________________________________________How do you plan to pay for rent? ______________________________________________________________Will you plan to sublet at any point (many students do study abroad programs)______________________________________________________________What’s your rental budget? ______________________________________________________________What type of lease are you looking to sign? ______________________________________________________________What’s your class schedule like? ______________________________________________________________You should also lay at any non-negotiable ground rules you have during this conversation. For example, if you have a cat allergy, you’ll need to disclose this before signing your lease for your New Haven apartments. ______________________________________________________________How to Find a Roommate for College: Are You Ready to Start Your Search?______________________________________________________________Now that you know how to find a roommate for college, it’s time to start your search. ______________________________________________________________Before you know it, you’ll be moving in with your ideal roommate. Be sure to check back in with our blog for more college living tips and tricks.
