Are you prepping for your varsity experience in 2021, but struggling with choosing a roommate? As much as you’re about to have a taste of being an adult, who you live with is going to have a huge impact on how you experience varsity and living away from home. That’s why we have tips to help you choose the right roommate for you.

Can your roommate contribute?

Making the decision to get a roommate is usually centred around trying to cut costs. Financially, it makes sense to find someone you can split the rent with to save some money. Finding someone who’s able to commit and contribute towards the monthly rent, groceries and other costs can help make things a lot easier on you.

It doesn’t have to be a friend

Your roommate doesn’t have to be your friend. We always think living with our friends is the best, or even the only option- but that’s not always true. Your friends can be great friends, but terrible roommates. Finding a like-minded stranger or acquaintance who’s just as focused and respectful of your space as you are of theirs could be exactly what you need. So don’t limit your roommate search to just your social circle.

Do you have similar habits?

Your roommate’s habits are really important to consider. This is someone you’re going to be living with, so you need to understand if you’ll be able to live with them despite their habits. For example, if you’re not a smoker and you can’t stand the smell of cigarettes, you may want to find out if your roommate is a smoker or not. The same applies with drinking and all other habits. You need to at least find a roommate you can tolerate, even if it’s temporarily.

Is your roommate trustworthy?

Living with someone you feel like you can’t trust can be very unsettling. If you’re going to be living with a stranger, you won’t be able to tell if they’re trustworthy from the moment you meet them. Asking the right questions and providing scenarios where honesty is shown would be a good place to start. You can also check out their social media to gauge the type of person they are.

What will you be asking?

Asking the right questions before moving in with someone is exactly what’s going to give you an idea of what to expect. The questions you ask need to be straight forward, while still giving you an idea of what it means to live with that particular individual. Just remember not to make these invasive questions around your potential roommate’s personal life.

People are unpredictable, and as much as it helps to do your homework and try to vet your roomie beforehand, you never really know who someone is until you live with them. This is part of the exciting and scary experience of starting your tertiary education years. Remember, you can always talk to your roomie or figure a way to part ways if things don’t work out.