Having roommates in college is a unique experience, and people either have great memories from it or horror stories that will haunt them for years. However, I’ve had three years of success at Miami University across three separate housing arrangements.
My first year, I lived with a girl who became my best friend. Unfortunately, she transferred back home for sophomore year, so I needed to find someone else to live with. I was placed in Heritage Commons with two strangers, who let me join their friend group. Now, I can’t imagine life without them and the people they introduced me to.
This year, my roommate from my first year returned to Miami, so we’re currently living off campus together, along with two other girls I’m good friends with.
Every single one of these people and experiences was meaningful to my time at Miami, and I’m incredibly grateful to have such awesome stories about each of them.
I’m not here to rub that in your face, though; I’m here because I think everyone deserves some advice on how to keep these roommates close, foster healthy friendships and coexist peacefully. After all, you’re going to spend the rest of the academic year living with these people.
My first suggestion is to not discredit Miami events. I don’t care how cringey the social media posts look; I promise they’re fun. I played bingo in Armstrong my sophomore year and was ragebaited the entire time, because I didn’t win a single Lego flower set.
Regardless, I had fun. I got a Miami sugar cookie and my whole friend group sat at a table laughing for hours. I forgot all about upcoming quizzes and required readings, and I realized I never would have gone to an event like that without my friends because I was too scared of being the only person there. Understand that everyone is in the same boat as you and might be feeling just as lost or lonely.
While on the topic of branching out, if you’re struggling to get close with your roommate, connect with those outside of your residence hall or apartment building. Make your own friends in class, join clubs that mean something to you, and don’t shoot down opportunities just because your roommate can’t attend with you.
Trust me, I speak from experience. I made myself miserable as a first-year student because I refused to make other long-term friends, swayed by my own misconception that my roommate was the only person I needed. Humans crave companionship, so please go find your people.
This is not to say your roommate is not good for you; I’m just reassuring you that there are other students who would love to get to know you. I promise they are out there, probably looking for you too.
I also highly recommend escaping campus. I don’t have a car, but most of my friends do, and you bet I take advantage of that like no other. It was phenomenal for my mental health to get away from Oxford, even for a quick trip to close cities like Hamilton, Fairfield and Cincinnati on weekday afternoons.
My first-year roommate and I drove down to Newport, Kentucky one day for the Newport Aquarium and it was awesome. One of my first bonding activities with last year’s roommates was going to a Cubs vs. Reds game in Cincinnati, and I had so much fun. I experienced Jungle Jim’s for the first time last spring with the first girl I met at Make it Miami, who I’m still super close with.
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There is no shortage of things to do if you expand your lens past Oxford. I highly recommend opening up Google Maps and typing in “shopping,” “cafes” or whatever else makes you happy to find what you and your friends can check out.
Some of these suggestions may not be your cup of tea, but I hope they give you some hope when you need it. If you ever want a new friend, or need advice for anything, you know who to call.
Jada Rogers is a junior studying political science with a co-major in environmental science. She recently added a humanitarian engineering and computing minor. Jada is an Opinion writer for The Student, a member of the Miami Striders and a King Study Room 242 lover.
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