<p>I'm hoping that I get a roomate that is at least willing to go to the dining hall and stuff with me until I get a set of friends. Is that what usually happens or am I hoping for too much?</p>
<p>Don't worry. Unless you are a total recluse and reject contact with others yourself, your roommate and other kids in the dorm will be eager to go to the dining hall and stuff with you. </p>
<p>Remember, they are in the same boat as you. They will be hoping the same things about you that you are about them.</p>
<p>It is what usually happens, toland~. It's a good idea to keep your door room door open in those early hours and days, greet people who walk by and some of them will step in and greet you. Not using such lame words as "greet," of course :o. Prop the door open with your large bottle of Tide Detergent, if it's one of those self-closing types.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>Roommates are generally cool with hanging out together the first few weeks of school. Just don't get too attached to their set of friends. I made that mistake and that ended up being part of what essentially killed my social life.</p>
<p>My son went to his college orientation this summer where they room in a dorm for a couple nights. I consider this a prelude to how it will work at real 'move-in' time. ALL the kids are in the same boat. By the end of 2 days, he had established relationships with some kids that seemed like-minded and as we walked across campus, other kids were greeting and talking to him. </p>
<p>I will say that the student that he roomed with was not a good 'roommate' match. My S knew within 15 minutes that the kid was a 'partier' and my S is not. Hopefully the 'roommate match' that they go through for fall room assignments alleviates the major mismatches like this. </p>
<p>If you got contact info for your roommate and he/she seems reasonable to you at this point, good chance you can share activities at least at first. But the advise to 'take it slow' is well founded. Your roommate may or may not end up being your 'best friend'. But he/she will probably be thankful if you suggest going to the cafeteria together.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>toland, almost every other student in your classes and dorm are in the same boat as you, have the same anxieties and are asking the same questions. As a result they will be delighted to a friendly voice and greeting. Keep the door open, whip out the frisbee, participate in any group floor activities which a few weeks later may seem somewhat lame, and don't be afraid to reach out to those students who seem reticent to join in because they may just be very shy and anxious.</p>
<p>Good advice so far. I'll add: Don't go home for the weekend!!!
You have a great deal in common with all those on your floor, especially if all are freshmen. Do things together. Dining hall. Student center. Sporting events. Room mates are the "luck of the draw" and sometimes not a great match, but on your floor will be great matches and probable lifetime friends.
Be open to the possibilities. You are at a great time in your life. Enjoy it!!</p>
<p>Roommates do have around with you at first, even if they don't end up becoming your best friend. The first week of college is a very weird time where no one is shy because no one has friends so they sit with and say hi to everyone. Some schools (eg Wellesley) have a first year mentor program where fifteen students meet with a junior or senior mentor often throughout the first week and occasionally throughout the first month. It's a starting block to get you introduced to a bunch of people as well.</p>
<p>have a screw driver in your room. somebody is always wandering around looking for a screw driver or something. on move in day freshman year i wound up loaning my wrench to like 5 different girls.</p>