Cramming in study sessions, eating bland dining hall food, and sleeping in until noon can be more enjoyable with a partner in crime: a roommate.
Colleges used to assign freshmen roommates. Now colleges offer surveys, apps, or social media links to match roommates.
Kate Wenger (12), a future Iowa State University student, used Instagram to match with her roommate who lives in Minnesota.
“Instagram was an easy way to find a roommate because you can look and sort through so many options of people,” Wenger said. “You can read about what everyone likes and their habits.”
Wenger and her roommate matched because of similar cleanliness habits, family backgrounds, and hobbies. “We both have shown pigs all our lives, so it was easy to connect over that,” Wenger said.
Paige Woellert (12), future University of Northern Iowa Panther, matched with her roommate through a survey. UNI sent out a survey asking a range of questions, such as cleanliness habits, extrovertedness, and personality.
The survey revealed Mada (Woellert’s roommate) and Woellert are 96 percent compatible
They met up for a coffee date and realized they were both Catholic, had only brothers for siblings, and grew up playing a bunch of sports.
“We both had instances where we were like, ‘OMG, me too!’” Woellert said.
Kirstyn Kolbet (12), who is going to Mount Mercy University to play volleyball and run track, filled out a questionnaire through an app. On the app, Kolbet matched up with numerous people but inevitably chose someone on her volleyball team per her coach’s request.
“I am glad I chose someone on my team because then we will have the same schedule and I won’t get lost,” Kolbet said. “However, I am nervous because I won’t meet her until school starts.”
Comparably, future Cornell College wrestler, Jax Miller (12), is rooming with another wrestler. They met through club practices and tournaments. At an incoming freshmen athletes’ day at Cornell College, they spent most of the day together and naturally decided to room with each other.
“Knowing Nolan (Miller’s roommate) through wrestling helps me feel confident that rooming together is a good decision,” Miller said. “We have the same goal-oriented mindsets and passion for wrestling.”
Throughout this process Kolbet learned that appearances aren’t everything. “From my experience, people are way different than what they post. Make sure to keep an open mind and be kind,” Kolbet said.
Miller has learned not to let the process stress him. His advice to other seniors is simple: “Everything will fall into place, so enjoy your final year in high school.”
