Living with a roommate is a rite of passage for many college freshmen. For some, it’s their first time living away from home. For others, it’s their first time sharing a living space with someone other than a family member. Regardless of your situation, there are a few types of roommates you’re likely to encounter during your freshman year (and beyond). Here’s a rundown of the five most common types of college roommates.
The Social Butterfly
This type of roommate is always out and about. They’re the first to know about the latest campus party and they always seem to have a date for Friday night. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting invited to parties or other social gatherings that you wouldn’t normally attend simply because your roommate is going. While it can be fun to let loose and go out on the town every now and then, living with a social butterfly can get old quickly if you’re not careful. Be sure to set some boundaries early on so that you can maintain your sanity (and avoid getting roped into things you don’t want to do).
The Clean Freak
This type of roommate takes cleanliness and organization to a whole new level. Their side of the room is always spotless and they might even have a color-coded organizing system for their clothes. While having a clean freak for a roommate can be nice (after all, who doesn’t love coming home to a clean room?), it can also be frustrating if you’re not used to living in such an orderly fashion. Be sure not to leave your dirty laundry lying around or they’ll start to get on your case about being messy. And whatever you do, don’t forget to put the toilet seat down!
The Night Owl
This type of roommate is up all hours of the night, whether they’re studying for an upcoming test or watching TV. If you happen to be a early bird who likes to hit the hay by 10 p.m., living with a night owl can be tough. Be sure to talk to your roommate about quiet hours so that you can get some rest. You might also want to invest in a pair of earplugs so that you can block out any noise they might make while you’re trying to sleep.
The Bookworm
This type of roommate is always hitting the books. They’re usually one of the first people in the library each morning and they know all the best study spots on campus. While it’s great having someone around who’s always willing to help you study for exams, living with a bookworm can sometimes be challenging if you’re not used to spending long hours studying. Be sure to set aside some time each day for yourself so that you don’t feel like you’re constantly studying 24/7. It’s important to strike a balance between schoolwork and leisure activities so that you don’t burn out before the end of the semester.
The Slob
This type of roommate doesn’t care about cleanliness or organization. Their half of the room is usually cluttered with dirty clothes and empty food containers. If you happen to be neat and tidy, living with a slob can be incredibly frustrating. Be sure to talk to your roommate about picking up after themselves so that things don’t start getting too messy (or smelly). You might also want set up a cleaning schedule so that both sides of the room are kept clean throughout the week.
Conclusion:
Living with roommates is one of the many experiences that come along with attending college. Chances are, you’ll encounter at least one (if not all) of these types of roommates during your freshman year (and beyond). Just remember: communication is key when it comes to cohabitation!
