<p>Sooo...I got my room assignment today. I am an incoming freshman. He is a Junior, and an International Student. I don't mind that he is an International Student, but I must ask...How does the dynamic change if my room mate is two years older than me?</p>
<p>I had a sophomore roommate when I was a freshman many years ago. It does change the dynamic. Older students usually already have their own group of friends, and you may not feel too comfortable hanging out with them even if they include you. My roommate and her friends were perfectly nice to me, but it wasn’t my group. Make sure you make a point to meet people at orientation, go on an activities organized for your hall or dorm, join a couple of clubs on campus, and form study groups with people in your classes – all good ways to meet people and make your own group of friends.</p>
<p>It may depend on whether your roomie is new to the campus. </p>
<p>Is he a transfer student? if so, you may be on similar footing.</p>
<p>If roomie is a continuing student on campus, things could be a little bit different. I would wonder why he did not have friends to live with. There could be a lot of reasons–</p>
<p>No friends/poor social skills?</p>
<p>Does a scholarship restrict him to university housing, and his friends elected not to continue living in the dorms? </p>
<p>Could he not qualify for an off campus lease because of immigration status?</p>
<p>Remember that all you need to do is get along with your roomie. You both need to be respectful of one another. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with him from a status of equals–you are equals in the room and its use.</p>
<p>Also remember that most people do not become BFFs with their roomies. You will have lots of other students on your hall, in your dorm, in your classes, in clubs and extracurriculars from which you can choose your friends.</p>