My Fantastic Freshmen Roommate

When I told people that I was going to Ball State University they then went on to ask who I would be rooming with since lots of other people that I knew were going here as well. I never wanted to room with my best friend or anyone that I knew going into college. You always hear about awful roommmate stories but whose to say that that happens to everyone. Pretty much everyone told me that if I chose a random roommate It would most likely turn sour. They were so wrong. I was determined to have a fresh start in college and meet new people so I was willing to take that chance, and I’m glad I did. Having heard these myths about college roommates from so many previous students it did in fact affect my thoughts about heading off to college. But then here I was coming from a high school that was tiny to Ball State but I wanted to venture out of my comfort zone. In an article, written by Julie Mayfield and Lindsey Mayfield, they stated “Whether you're rooming with a friend, an acquaintance, or a complete stranger, sharing a dorm room with another college student can be a big transition.”

Sometimes the myths you hear about college are not true and can affect how you approach transitioning from high school and living with your parents to moving away and meeting new people. Most of these urban legends are told from the perspective of a student (Major 238). I had my views on how living with someone else would go, however having heard horror stories it did make me a little skeptical. According to Claire Howell Major, studies show that students have been shown to believe and alter their own behavior in response to the urban legends that they hear (Major 243). And as my mother always said,

"Natali, your roommate is going to feel the exact s...

... middle of paper ...

...t miss out on meeting some great people and opportunities. Instead of being cautious try and be optimistic it can really change the outlook of any situation whether it be finding a roommate or just deciding what dorm to live in. Always remember that the decision is up to you on who you room with and no matter how many stories you may hear from your parents or grandparents in the end you are the one who is going to be living with your decision and ultimately affecting you and you alone. And if you let it shape the decision you make regarding your college experience then the myths that you hear could and will in fact ruin or even make your experience at college no fun at all. When you come to college don’t let the fear take over and stop you from doing what you want to do. I so far have had a fantastic freshman year with a roommate who I had never met before this year.