Solo Dorming vs Living with Roommates

Slug: Solo-vs-Roomies? 

Ever walked through the Centenary dorms and wondered, "Maybe Founders looks interesting… or maybe Bennett-Smith?" Or maybe you thought “Washabaugh Hall looks pretty cozy.” It's a tale as old as college life itself, The Roommate Saga! So I geared up, hit the halls, and decided to get the inside scoop straight from the source.

The Single Life: Freedom or Isolation?

First stop, the “singles birds.” I wanted to know what drove these students to request a room of their own.

Hailey Tibus, a Graduate Room Director (GRD), cut right to the chase: "I don’t have to clean up as often. I can be as loud as I want whenever I want. And I have my own bathroom for myself!" For Tibus, it was about the "peace of not having to deal with anyone in the same space," and with being a GRD, it sounds like a pretty good deal!

Malcolm Richardson, a sophmore and another single dweller, echoed the same opinions. He appreciates being able to "keep his room in check" without the pressure of conforming to someone else's standards. He also admitted to getting a single because he "was tired of always having to ask my roommate if they were fine with certain things like inviting someone over or making sure that simple things like keeping the air/light on or off was okay." This is a sentiment so many students have had over the years. For Richardson, the single life is a lifestyle, meshing perfectly with his personality and "physical needs."

But is it just for introverts craving solitude? Not necessarily! 

Tibus insisted, "No, I like to be social and I have my moments of anti-social, but I’m not truly introverted" showing that extroverted students, as well as introverts, also enjoy their personal space. It seems like some just need a place to call their own after a long day of classes and people.

Roommate Revelations: Friendship and Flexibility?

Then, it was time to venture into the shared spaces, where the roommate dynamic reigns supreme. What are the upsides of sharing your space with another human?

Erin Cooper, who lives with one roommate, put it simply: “You learn how to live with other people and accommodate to living precariously.”

Carlee Nigro, another one-roomie resident, chimed in with the social angle: "the benefits of living with a roommate is that you get to make your first friend on campus." For Nigro, the roommate bond was a crucial part of settling into college life. Ah, the classic "instant bestie" scenario!

But let's be real – sharing a space isn't always sunshine and rainbows. How do these students navigate conflict? 

Cooper’s approach is all about compromise: "Dealing with roommate issues, it is best to see eye to eye and come together rather than thinking one opinion is more valued than the other." Nigro echoed the importance of "communication," saying, "when we have issues, we make sure to discuss them because communication is very important." So, it seems like open dialogue is key to surviving the roommate experience.

And what about the 'vert' factor? Introvert, extrovert, or something in between. 

Cooper sees herself as an "ambivert," gaining valuable real-world skills from living with others. Nigro, on the other hand, described their dynamic as an "introverted extrovert" paired with an introvert, creating a balance of social time and much-needed silence. So, does having a roommate magically transform you into an extrovert? Nope, but it can definitely push you outside your comfort zone.

The Quad Squad: Community or Chaos?

Finally, I braved the four-person roomies, where the roommate game gets a whole lot more complex. I wanted to know if more roommates meant more fun, or just more headaches.

Jordan Henderson, living with three others, emphasized the community aspect: "I get a sense of community, sometimes it feels isolating to be alone." Makes sense! A built-in support system right there in your apartment! But with more people comes more… stuff. So, how do they handle the inevitable sharing of resources? "If I, for example, say we need paper towels, I’ll cut a deal with them for them to buy it this time and then, I’ll buy it next time. That's usually the way we get along," Henderson explained. A practical, quid-pro-quo approach, for sure.

As for chore distribution? 

"I would find middle ground amongst the three of us, for example, if I got a bathroom, you got trash, if you got dishes, I got carpet cleaning etc.," said Henderson, which helps give everyone some accountability for chores. Not everyone loves this method, but it’s “better to have and not need, than to need and not have.”

Neveah O’Keefe, however, painted a less rosy picture.

"There aren't many benefits to living with four people, I believe the more people you live with the harder it is, though I guess if you need to borrow some things you can always ask," O’Keefe admitted. Ouch! For O’Keefe, a smaller circle seems to be the way to go!

Communication was also a challenge for her.

"When I moved in, it wasn't like I moved in with people I didn't know. I didn’t talk much with my other roommates other than the one next to me. Every now and then, I get to do little activities with them like gaming, cooking etc. But I still feel a slight disconnect with them," O’Keefe explained.

And what about those dreaded chores?

“Due to there being a slight disconnect, my roommate on my side of the apartment usually knows when something is up with me before everyone else does,” said O’Keefe. “For example, we had a problem with keeping up with chores–the trash not being taken out–and it was a constant problem to where me and my nearby roommate decided to have a one-on-one conversation about the trash. We eventually made up a chore list and no grudges were held. At least that's what I would like to think..."

The Verdict? It Depends.

So, what's the ultimate dorming decision? Single or roommates? Well, as with most things in life, it depends. Some students thrive in the bustling environment of a shared space, forging friendships and learning valuable communication skills. Others find peace and productivity in the solitude of a single, creating a sanctuary for their studies and personal growth.

Ultimately, the "best" living situation is the one that allows you to thrive, both academically and personally.  So, whether you're a social butterfly or a solitary scholar, choose the space that lets you spread your wings and soar because at the end of the day, “good care is good business."