<p>That’s why I suggested talking to housing if the ops college only allows one. I had illegal appliances in my room and the ra never checked. I’m always broke, but if we bought duplicates I could just return the item. Even if you coordinate, the roommate may not bring the right thing, Which happened to me. I then had to work extra hours to buy a fan and fridge because my roommate brought a tiny mini fridge and tiny fan. She also said shed bring things she never brought. Talking to her ahead of time didn’t make anything easier.</p>
<p>Or just don’t buy big expensive appliances until you get to college? Surely you can survive without a personal tv or printer or microwave or fridge for a little while. (All of the college residences I have seen had some sort of communal kitchen or tea pantry with a microwave and fridge.)</p>
<p>But why not make it easier by coordinating in advance? I just can’t see what benefit someone gets by keeping their identity secret for a few weeks from somebody they’re going to be living with. Even if you’re not coordinating anything, communicating with your roommate beforehand can alleviate the anxiety of living with a stranger and avoid having them speculate about what weird reason you had for keeping yourself anonymous.</p>