What to expect when you’re expecting college - Parents & Roommates

The responsibilities of transitioning between high school and college are often both unknown and stressful. You have many qualms to deal with, so many different responsibilities and balancing acts to contend with, that you could use a fresh opinion. Balancing the needs of roommates and parents to the needs of yourself are vitally important to succeeding at college. So I will pass on some ripe insight.

Roommates: Right after moving in, you may feel obligated to become best friends with your roommate and hang out 24/7. Not only does forcing yourself create an artificial relationship, but it may create many more problems down the road. You will be sharing this living space with them, so don’t feel obligated to do every activity together. The free time apart will let you both grow within your individual interests. Also, just because you share a space, it doesn’t by default let you use everything of your roommates. If you ask and he/she says it’s fine, that is one story. But if you repeatedly use something without asking, this will cause friction between you two. In this situation, it’s truly best if you avoid this problem by creating a good communication channel.

Parents: Many parents place a high standard upon their children at college (not that there is anything wrong with high standards as I will do the same). But if parents tell you that the social element of college is not important, I believe they’re wrong and here’s why. College socializing will prepare you for jumping into adulthood upon graduation. In addition, studies show that students who have a healthy level of student interaction were happier and felt their college experience was more worthwhile. How about personal contacts in your field of study? Attending area related social functions will give you firsthand contacts with important professionals.

Maybe your parents will tell you “1 screw up and you’re done”. In some cases they are right. Instances of plagiarism and illegal activities may very well mean an expulsion at your college and are stuff you shouldn’t meddle in. But there are some occasions you can learn from. Maybe you didn’t get an A in that class or maybe you failed a course. These are not usually college ending experiences. But I cannot stress that this is your college time, $ and effort your putting into this, so why not do the best you can?

Balancing the needs of college with what your parents and roommates expect is a challenge every freshmen will face. Now you are a bit more prepared for living with your roommate and communicating with your parents. Because of this, feel more prepared and keep getting ready for your next big chapter.

Dylan Swartz