How I Found My Freshman Year Roommate
By: Claire Wong ‘23
My roommate and I are ACTUALLY best friends. Yes, it is pretty miraculous. We may be a rare case, but here are some things I did to find my roommate!
1. What Do You Want?
What do you want in a roommate? Do you want someone in the same major or school? Do you like your room to be quiet? Are you okay with having people over? For me, I knew I did not want my roommate to be in the same school as me (School of Cinematic Arts) because I wanted to meet people outside SCA. I felt a SCA roommate would restrict me from that. Take some time to reflect on what you seek in a roommate and an ideal living condition. This will make the process much easier when looking for potential options.
2. Be Proactive
Be active and reach out! Keep an eye on your class’s Facebook page and interact with other students on a regular basis — this will increase your interactions with other USC students and chances to meet THE ONE. Don’t be afraid to Facebook message or Instagram DM people. You never know where a conversation may lead to!
3. Be on a Friend Search, Not Roommate
Do not go into this process looking for a roommate! Go in with the mindset that you are just interested in meeting new people and getting to know them as friends. If you and your future roommate work out first as friends, there is a better chance that you guys will get along better as roommates. And if a person you are talking to does not work out as your roommate, you still made another friend!
4. Be Kind, Not Passive
Be kind and respectful and have proper online etiquette, but do not be passive! Compromise, but do not sacrifice! Do not agree to things you are not comfortable with just because a certain person seems “perfect.” For example, do not agree to host parties at your place if you really need your dorm to be a quiet, safe space.
5. Don’t Force It, Open Options
Leave your options open! Do not put all your eggs in one basket! It is okay to be talking to multiple potential roommates at the same time. Just as I said before, go in with the mindset of finding more friends, not a new roommate. Don’t worry, you won’t be “cheating” on your future roommate if you are talking to other potential options.
6. It’s Time … Pop the Question
It’s nerve-wracking, but you never know until you put it out there! My roommate and I were talking for about a week before I popped the question. I left it very open and flexible, allowing my potential roommate time to think/decide if needed. After talking for a bit, I asked my roommate where she was at with roommates and if she would be interested in being my roommate.
Happy Searching and Good Luck!
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