How to tell my roommate I won't be able to stay with her?

I’m on my first year of college and after a lot of pondering and stressing I realized I don’t like my course or being so far from home. It took me a long time to actually bring it up to my parents but they were really accepting and understanding so that isn’t the issue here. My problem is that I live on an island and when I moved to the mainland to go to college I rented an appartment with a friend who also came from the island. I don’t know how to tell her that I’m moving back home and won’t be able to keep sharing a place with her for the rest of our college years. We’re supposed to move out of this appartment in June but since I’m coming back home she’ll have to find some place to stay on her own after that and maybe even have to share with people she doesn’t know. How do I tell her in a way that she’ll understand and not get mad enough to cut ties with me?

If she’s a true friend, she’ll understand. Tell her asap so she has plenty of time to find another place to live and/or roommate, that’s the right thing to do.

This is hard for your friend. She is in the middle of preparing for final exams and is forced to find another place. Her grades could be lowered because of this.

Only one a half month left to June, the time for both of you to move out.

yes, i feel really bad because of that. although she doesn’t have any exams (but she does have art projects to hand it by the end of june) it will be very stressful for her and her parents to look for a new place where she can be on her own and that they can afford. i’ll do my best to help her look and come up with a way that will make it easier for her but i can’t force myself to stay there just for her, my future is also important. i don’t know if that’s selfish but it’s just how i feel about it. i don’t want to endure until there’s no turning back. i just wish she had someone she could stay with. we have some friends that are going to the mainland next year so that might be an option…

What is the rent contract term with the landlord? Don’t you have to give notice at least 30 days before you return the apartment?

Tell her how you feel, and she will understand. Tell her that you are sorry, but your happiness is on the line.

Tell her honestly. Also the sooner you tell her the better as she will need time to seek out a different housing arrangement.

our contract ends in june, that’s why we have to leave then. we were going to look for another place together but since i’m moving back home we’ll need to find one she can afford by herself.

If that is the case then your friend would understand. You don’t have to worry if don’t put financial burden on your friend. The only thing your friend need to do is to find a new room mate and what you do is out of your control. You need to let your friend know ASAP so that she can have time to find a new room mate. She may want to negotiate with the landlord to stay another 15 days to finish this semester if it’s difficult for her to find a room mate. And then she will have plenty of time to find a new room mate for next year.

One more vote for telling her ASAP so she can find other options. Your decision is personal- and while it isnt about her, it affects her as well and you want to give her time to make choices.

Tell her directly and immediately. Every day of notice from you will help her find another option with less stress.

i’m telling her tomorrow because i’m not with her right now and since this is a sensitive issue i want to tell her face to face so we can discuss it properly

All of your replies helped calm my nerves about this whole situation, thank you very much to everyone who commented here!

You are a wonderful friend. Let us know how it goes.

Yes, good luck, it sounds like you know the right things to do, let your head (not your heart) lead on this one.

I talked to her and it went much better than I was expecting. She took it well and apparently she has a friend whose father just bought a 3 bedroom apartment and she can go live with her as a last resort. We’re looking for a place she can stay and if we can’t find one by june then she’ll stay there.

Good job. Thanks for the update.