<p>Any advice to share on roommate selection? Is the random pairing by the housing department usually successful, or would it be better to choose to room with someone you've "met" on the accepted students board and have discussed likes/dislikes, habits and expectations with?</p>
<p>Momdoc-There are certainly a number of wise souls on this board who can offer their perspectives on what makes for a successful roommate match. Having just gone through this year with both S and D and random pairings ( with widely disparate outcomes) I would offer the following food for thought: If you child is participating in Engaged Living, keep in mind that at some point, I believe roommate assignments become more random matching versus pairing complementary lifestyles, habits, etc. Regardless of whether you child participates in Engaged Living, it is important for your S/D and you/your spouse to be candid and realistic about what type of roommate your child will be. It makes no sense to write on the roommate form that you are reasonably neat if you cannot see the your side of the floor from day 3 until Thanksgiving. (* Search CC for the posts about the urban mound builders when you need a good laugh.) Sleeping schedules and the importance of the routine it sets cannot be emphasized enough. I know because our DD is a night owl and freshman roomie preferred to go to bed by 11pm during week nights-ouch. </p>
<p>I would strongly urge your S/D to spend a lot of time getting to know several people on the accepted students message board-exchange cell phone numbers, etc. My son used facebook to “talk” with what was his first assigned roommate. S was leery at the start since he had asked not to have an exchange student his first year ( wanted chance to make a “permanent” friend). As soon as their assignment was finalized, roommate began calling S to “tell” him what he would be allowed to bring, when he would be allowed to watch TV, etc. Within 72 hours, S had called residential life and asked to be reassigned. He ended up having a great year with a roommate who has become a very close friend. They have been talking with each other a lot since the kids have been out of school this past week. Since D’s year was not nearly as much a success from the roommate perspective as S’s., I have decided nothings beats the opportunity to actually meet and/or speak with someone several times in an effort to “read them” and let them take a measure of you. The first year away from home is enough change as it is, so to minimize any other potential problems will always set a better environment for your child to succeed. </p>
<p>Please feel free to PM me if I can give you any additional information.</p>
<p>My D has been so overwhelmed with the decision and AP exams,sh can maybe finally relax this weekend. Yes e are coming to Furmman this fall and very excited. Wher can D find the accepted student blog and start meeting people?</p>
<p>The accepted students’ meeting place is on Facebook. The official title of the page is “Furman University Class of 2013.” (Watch out, there was an unofficial page called “Accepted: The Furman Class of 2013.” That page has been discontinued.) Once your D receives her password and instructions in the mail, I believe she will be able to log into FUNet and email, etc, from there (not exactly sure, since we haven’t received our notification yet).</p>
<p>There is also a “Furman University Parents” page on Facebook that we’re trying to publicize, so drop by and help get the word out!</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter. We have graduation next week. Can’t believe HS is almost over!</p>
<p>Thanks, Georgiatwins. As usual, your post is so helpful! I think my D will consider rooming with the girl she met more seriously. She was tempted to go with random matching, but it sounds rather risky. I can’t see how it could be any better than rooming with someone whose lifestyle seems to match your own pretty well. I know from my own experience that having similar rising/retiring habits and expectations about how much studying is going to happen in the room versus the library is extremely important for a successful year.</p>