Who Should Your Roommate Be?

BY LANEY ULOWETZ plans. She can help you through anything that comes PHOTO EDITOR up once you’re at school - the awkward encounters, panic attacks, cramming for tests, lazy days, nights

Ahuge dilemma for every senior is finding the right out - she’s always there. Going away to college can be roommate for college. There’s so many options. tough, especially when you’re living out-of-state, so Literally. If you get on your school’s class of 2020 it’s nice to have a familiar face when you’re homesick. Facebook page, I guarantee you will find countless Of course before you go to school, your people posting paragraphs about themselves and why roommate can help you through the stress of hitting they would be your perfect roommate. So you stalk deadlines or just random questions about college as her wall, and you stalk her Instagram, and you stalk they come up. In a sense, she’s a built-in friend who her Facebook some more. But what can you really will be by your side the whole way. You can even gather about this total stranger other than what she shop for dorm decorations together, rather than just wants you to see? The scary truth is that honestly, you guessing what the other person is getting and trying can’t get much more than what she gives you. to coordinate based off of texts.

This is one reason why rooming with someone Long story short, rooming with someone you you know is a great idea. It doesn’t need to be your know in college is one of the best decisions you can best friend that you’ve known for 12 years (and make. Not only will she keep you comfortable in quite frankly it probably shouldn’t be), just a friend, the new environment, but she will help push you to acquaintance, or maybe a friend of a friend. There are come out of your shell and expand your horizons in no surprises when you room with someone you know college. You get the best of both worlds: a familiar - she won’t try to kill you in your sleep (hopefully) face and taste of home, as well and doesn’t have some weird, obsessive infatuation with hamsters you didn’t know about. Your as new friends, adventures, and memories. You won’t come to college totally alone because you’ve got a friend going into it. Maybe it roommate should be takes you awhile to find your crowd and make some new someone friends; your roommate is someone who can include you in you know.

BY SOPHIE NEDELCO CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Your Letting go of familiarity In just a few months, I will wake up next to a complete stranger: my random roommate. Does she stay up until 3 a.m. or wake up at 5 a.m.? Will our dorm room clash neon pink and green? Does she jam to Christian rock or Nicki Minaj? roommate should be someone will benefit you later in life as well. You probably share similar interests with your Basically, I have no idea who she is, where she’ll be from or what she’ll be like; and that’s the way random. friends, and you might even look it should be. like them. Fearfully clinging onto

As class Facebook groups, GroupMe and people who resemble you will do nothing to help Roomsurf blow up with 18-year-olds scouring you in the future. The awkwardness of acquainting for roommates, the diminishing idea of a random yourself with your random roommate will not only roommate gathers dust in the corners of teenagers’ begin to prepare you for other uncomfortable firstbrains. In an age where teens judge a person’s time meetings (think job interviews) but also open character by the content of their Instagram, the idea your mind to opportunities you would have missed of living with someone they have never taken a selfie had you stuck with the status quo. with is terrifying. But for this very reason, a random With a random roommate, you define yourself. roommate is essential for our generation. You have an opportunity to try what is normally

We have to break out of our screen-protected out of your comfort zone. According to research comfort zones to venture into the next chapter of by the University of Houston, roommates influence our lives. This would be impossible with the last four one another’s decisions on which clubs, teams and years breathing old memories down our backs. You social organizations to join. These groups will have a don’t want those reminders of your high school ex- lifetime of influence on wider social networks. Who boyfriend or drama-ridden friend groups to continue knows, maybe you will like Christian rock after all to haunt you past graduation. Rooming with your or maybe you will make it a habit to join her on her best friend or even your not-so-best-friend will limit morning runs. Chances are, she will inspire you one you to what you were defined by in high school.The way or another. truth is that high school doesn’t last forever. So why What’s the worst that can happen? If my random would you want to bring it to college with you? roommate is a little crazy, I’ll have something to look Rooming with a friend, you would be more tentative back and laugh about later. If she doesn’t align with to try new classes, clubs or sports. Even worse, you my morals, the experience will make mine stronger. would feel obligated to invite this high school friend If my random roommate doesn’t become my best to every event. Sooner or later, friends get sick of one friend and my dorm room doesn’t completely match, another. If you are really that good of friends with her, it’s not the end of the world, and in just a few months, then you would still see each other around campus. at semester, I can find a new roommate.

What to Expect During Rush

Orientation Go over recruitment schedule, what to wear and expect and meet your Rho Gamma or Rho Chi (recruitment guide) and your small group.

Open House Visit every sorority. Talk with the members and tell them a little bit about yourself. Tip: “The most difficult part of rush was keeping your energy up all day and all week long. It’s so important to keep smiling and keep your energy levels high because that will show within every conversation you have.” Madison Hummel, Class of 2014

Philanthropy Day Houses will send out invitations telling girls they are interested in to return. Choose from your invitations which houses you would like to return to. During this day you will learn a little bit about each sorority’s philanthropy. Tip: “Be prepared with questions to ask each sorority. Find out if their values align with yours. That will make your decision all the better.” Georgia Evans, Class of 2015

Sisterhood Day Houses send out invitations again. Choose which you would like to see again. Get a better understanding of the values of each sorority and ask any final questions you may have. Tip: “Crash in a hotel room with your mom during the later days of rushing. As girls start getting cut, feelings are hurt and tears and drama start so it’s best to remove yourself.” Georgia Thompson, Class of 2014

Preference Day Houses send out invitations. Choose which houses you would like to visit for the last time. Tip: “Don’t pick a sorority based off of the size of their house or their decorations. Try to have a genuine conversation and ask yourself each time, ‘Could I be friends with these girls?”’ Evie Hauptmann, Class of 2015

Bid Day You will receive your official invitation to join a sorority. Tip: “While recruitment week seems super dramatic and important at the time, it’s really not the end of the world if you get cut from a house you liked.” Kim Fryer, Class of 2014