Pot-luck, this is what they call it when you let the University choose your roommate for you.

I graduated with a class of about 300. Everyone knew everyone and 7 of us were headed to UGA. I wanted to have an adventure and be able to met new people. So, I went pot-luck. I heard horror stories about roommates who didn’t bathe, listened to punk rock all night, or stole from you. I also heard stories about roommates who became best friends and were inseparable. I knew I would get the latter.

My story is not a horror story, but we also didn’t become best friends. Here’s what happened. When mom and dad left me that first day I expected my roommate and I to become bosom buddies right away. I had us eating three meals a day together, watching all the best shows, and finding a church group that we loved. This did not happen. I found a church group where I fit in and she found one too. We had different class schedules so we had to eat on different schedules. We were friends and she was a good roommate who I could talk to and she helped keep the room clean. But we weren’t the bosom buddies that I had dreamed of.

Even though this is true I still think going pot-luck was the best decision I could have ever made. I did not get stuck in a rut with my high school friends (and I did see this happen, they stuck together and didn’t get a chance to meet anyone new). I met my two very best friends in the dorm. We didn’t live together but they were always down the hall. I also met people that I wouldn’t have because my roommate had friends that she would bring around, and I did the same. I had to go out and find the clubs and groups that fit my interests. I still kept up with my high school friends and we ate together every now and again, but I was not dependant on them for my happiness in college.

Moral of the story: meet new people and figure out what your passions are, and then join a group of people who have the same goals and you will meet your very best friends there.

-Laura Ann