One of the biggest decisions you’ll make in college is whether to live with roommates or alone. Both options have pros and cons to consider.

Living with roommates can be a great experience. You’ll always have friends around to hang out with, split expenses, and maybe even motivate each other to study. Having roommates means never feeling alone and building close bonds. But sharing space also means less privacy, dealing with different lifestyles, and putting in effort to get along. Choosing the right roommates is crucial; luckily, social media has made that all the much easier for us. With the help of apps like Instagram and Snapchat, you can see who will be attending your same university, reach out to them, stay in touch, and potentially become friends and or roommates when the semester starts. An easy way to do this is through the instagram account of your future university + graduating year (e.g.: gwu2028class), where you will find multiple posts and bios of people that will be attending your school.

“I feel like with roommates you can make more friends. While living at home can seem more comfortable in the short run, you could make lifelong friendships with roommates,” said senior Catherine Barrabes .

Living alone gives you total freedom and peace. You can make your own rules, keep whatever schedule you want, and avoid roommate conflicts. Living alone also allows you to fully customize your space and focus without distractions. There are a few downsides though, such as missing out on the built-in social life and support system. Plus, covering all expenses like rent and utilities by yourself can strain your budget. 

Whichever option you choose, you will have to compromise a little. With roommates, discuss boundaries and cleaning schedules upfront. If living alone, make an effort to get out and socialize.