Move-in day is coming soon, but there are so many questions to ask your college roommate before then!
Getting to know your college roommate is one of the most important things you’ll do before moving into your college apartment or dorm. Finding roommates can also be a big hassle, but finding the best roommate will be worth it. You will be living with this person for a while so it’s vital to be able to get along with them. Roommates can be your best friends or your worse enemy with no in-between.
In this blog post, I compiled several questions to ask your roommate before moving in, how to find a roommate for college, where to find a roommate for college, and what to look for in a roommate.
How To Find a Roommate For College?
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Don’t worry, I’ve been there. I remember worrying my senior year of high school about finding the perfect roommate. I was freaking out about how are college roommates are assigned and what if I get stuck with a bad roommate.
If you plan to live on campus with roommates in a dorm, your university most likely has a system or online process where you fill out a roommate questionnaire that will help them try to match you will a few potential roommates. Some apartment complexes have a similar process. But some apartments won’t. Student living apartments usually do, but if you are renting an apartment that is privately owned you’ll most likely need to find a roommate throughout outside sources.
Where To Find Roommates For College?
Now that you got your apartment, you realize you need 1-3 roommates to cover the rent or to save money. You’re frantic and lost to where to even begin where to find someone to live with. Trust me, I’ve also been there. Again, depending on where you renting, your dorm or apartment complex might have a roommate agreement quiz to the process easier.
BUT if you aren’t, you can find people to rent with by:
- Ask around and ask friends or classmates for recommendations
- Join Facebook Groups with students or parents who are looking for places to rent
- Ask your apartment complex management
- Download apps, such as Roomies or Bumble BFF
- Use matching websites such as Roommates.com or Roomsurf.com
- Last resort: Hang a poster on campus
Should I move in with my best friend in college?
I do not necessarily recommend choosing your best to be your roommate unless you two are super duper close. I mean, that you two are two peas in a pod that love the same thing.
Seriously, I did not room with my high school friends who were going to the same university my freshman year. I wanted to meet new people yet I still talked and hung out with them. We all wanted that. BUT one of my high school friends and I got closer during our freshman year of college and decided to be roommates. We’ve been roommates for three years. But it took time and we had to learn each other’s living habits.
Rooming with your friends will not be perfect and can ruin a great friendship. You two can get along all day, love the same music, and have the same hobbies, but living with someone and breathing the same air with them and sharing the same rooms is totally different. It honestly depends on what you want and what are looking for in a roommate.
What To Look For in a Roommate:
It is super important to know what to look for in a college roommate. Personally, every roommate I had in college was similar to me. What I wanted in a roommate in college probably is not what you want. Some people want just someone who won’t ever speak to them or someone who is their best friend. I personally wanted someone who I could talk to because I’m such an extrovert and someone who was easygoing and chill. Again, that’s what I looked for in a roommate. Your preference will probably be different.
What to look for in a roommate boils down to having someone who:
- Respects you (e.g. items, beliefs, etc.) and your space
- Respects your cleaning habits
- Follows what you all agreed on in your roommate agreement contract
- Is upfront about their smoking, drinking, and partying habits
- Is communicative (especially when bringing guests over), friendly, and cooperative
- Respects your pets (if you are bringing any)
- Who is honest! (Honesty is a key trait a roommate should have)
- Respects and understands your study, sleep, and work schedule
But remember you should treat this similar to an interview. In order to find a good roommate in college, you have to ask tons of questions. Treat this process similar to an interview. Ask deep, funny, and important questions when trying to find a potential roommate.
[Related: 17 Items To Share With Your Rooomate]
The First Questions To Ask:
Before you even dive into important or critical questions for your roommate, ask the basics. You should know a good bit about a person before deciding to be roommates with them. These questions should the first ones you should ask your potential roommate.
1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Where are you from?
4. Why did you choose this university/college?
5. What is your major?
6. Why did you choose to live in this area?
7. What are your pronouns?
8. What name do you like to go by?
9. Are you a morning or night person?
10. What clubs or organizations are you planning to join?
Critical Questions To Ask Your Roommate:
These questions are the most important ones to ask right after getting the basics from your potential roommate. Remember to also be honest and to prioritize what values and traits you definitely need in a roommate. You are going to be sharing this living space for a while or possibly a long time, so consider what you are willing to be lenient with and what you aren’t.
11. What are off-limits, pet peeves, or things you absolutely do not want to deal with as a roommate?
12. What kind of relationship do you want to have with your roommate?
13. What are you planning to bring or be will to share with a roommate?
14. How do you feel about having guests over?
15. What are your studying/relaxing hours?
16. Will you be going places on the weekend (e.g. home, hang out w/ friends, etc.)?
17. What is your communication style (constantly, frequently, barely will text me)?
18. 7. What are your hobbies? (e.g. if they play instruments = loud noise, art = messy apartment at times, video games = using the TV a lot)
19. Do you have a job/internship or how often do you work?
20. How busy will you be?
21. Do you like your room/the apartment warm or cold?
22. When do you want the lights off?
23. How will we solve problems or come up with a resolution?
24. How do you handle conflicts?
25. Should we have a written contract?
26. How messy are you or are you a neat freak?
27. Do you have any allergies, dietary restrictions, or illnesses that you want me to know about?
28. Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend and will they be coming over often?
29. How often will you have guests over?
30. Do you mind if I have guests over that are the opposite sex come over?
31. Will you be staying out late or waking up super early a lot?
32. What will be our cleaning schedule?
33. Have you lived with a roommate before?
34. Who is your emergency contact?
Roommate Icebreaker Questions:
If you are having a hard time breaking the ice with your roommate and can’t speak about anything other than school, work, and the apartment, here are some funny or interesting questions to ask them:
35. When is your birthday?
36. What is your zodiac/astrology sign or sun, moon, and rising in astrology?
37. What is your favorite food?
38. What is your favorite candy?
39. Do you drink coffee or tea or both?
40. What is your favorite color and why?
41. What is your favorite TV show and movie?
42. What is your favorite type of music?
43. Do you speak any other languages?
44. What places do you want to travel to?
45. What were you like in high school?
46. Do you think you will be homesick?
47. What do you want to do after college?
48. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
49. What is your best dad joke or pun?
50. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do?
51. If you could be any animal, what would you be?
52. What is your dream job?
53. if you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be?
54. Who is your celebrity crush?
55. If you could have any superpower, what would you pick?
56. Where is your favorite place to shop?
57. What was your favorite show growing up as a kid?
58. What is your most embarrassing moment?
59. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
60. What is your favorite podcast?
61. What is your favorite streaming platform?
62. Are you a reader and what books do you recommend?
63. Who is your favorite YouTuber?
64. Do you have a TikTok account?
65. Are you active on social media?
66. What is your favorite social media platform?
67. What is your self-care routine?
68. Do you do yoga?
69. Do you go on hikes?
70. Anything you want to share with me?
[Related: The Best Dorm Packing List You’ll Ever Need]
Things College Roommates Should Talk About Before Move-In Day:
Great, now your roommate is a perfect match! You both are planning how to decorate your apartment or dorm. Move-In day is right around the corner, but there are some things that roommates should definitely talk about before Move-In Day.
71. Who is bringing what items to the dorm/apartment?
72. How will you decorate your living area or dorm?
73. What kind of cleaning supplies are you bringing?
74. Who will do what chores?
75. Are you planning to go home every weekend?
76. What stuff is absolutely off-limits?
77. Do you want to share any groceries?
78. What is your class schedule?
79. Are you bringing a pet?
80. How long do you spend in the bathroom?
Good luck finding your roommate and moving in on Move-In Day!
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