Hi guys, I’m currently a freshman in college and I’m in need of a roommate for next year. My current roommate and I get along fine, but were not really friends and she’s already made arrangements for next year. I’ve been floating around different groups of friends throughout the school year and although I’ve finally found a good group of girls that I frequently hangout with, they’ve all made arrangements for next year as well. Because of this predicament I was planning on getting a single as the cost wasn’t much more than traditional room options, but I just found out last week that sophomores cannot live in singles. I know which dorms and which room layout I prefer for next year, but if I don’t fill my room (a double) to capacity, then I lose the room and get both a random roommate and a random housing location/layout. More than anything, I don’t want to risk getting housed in a bad location that is inconvenient for my classes and other campus activities.
My school set up a private Facebook page for current students looking for roommates, but I my request to join hasn’t been accepted and there are only about 15 people (boys and girls) in the group currently. I posted on our class Facebook page, but I haven’t gotten any responses yet, if I do than I’ll take this post down. I’m really nervous as the lottery is coming up really quickly. If anyone has any advice, please let me know!
Brainstorming here . Are you allowed to post a flyer in that dorm seeking a roommate? If your current roommate is moving with someone else on campus, does her future roommate’s current roomy have a place?
Bump it out a ring on your circle of acquaintances. You have a group of friends who are all paired up but chances are that at least one of them knows someone else who is also looking for a roommate. Put out the word with your friends that you are looking for someone nice and not too crazy and let them help you in the looking. Also ask lab partners and other people you interact with in classes who you get along with. (You can tell a lot about a person based on what kind of lab partner they are.)
Finally, if you can figure out who administers the Facebook group try to contact them directly to expedite getting your join request accepted.
I agree with otters. Be proactive. You don’t have anything to be ashamed of. Just say to your friends, “hey, I haven’t figured out my roommate situation and I need someone. Can you guys keep your ears open?” You don’t need to elaborate on why you haven’t got it worked out yet. And conatct the facebook admin again to join the page, maybe they need the nudge.
Finally, don’t be nervous. MANY college students find themselves in this situation and they manage to get through it. The roommate you don’t know yet might become a good friend. Stay positive.