THE PERFECT MATCH

By TAYLOR FAGAN

The process of finding a roommate is comparable to online dating, and with the May 1st Decision Day quickly creeping up, Washingtonville seniors are beginning to feel the stress of finding the perfect roommate to live with for their first year of college.  Each and every person has a different list of requirements for their potential roommate.  Luckily, in this day and age, there are a plethora of ways to find a roommate.  

There are several different opportunities for students to contact students who will be attending the same college.  Thanks to modern day technology and social media, finding the perfect match is actually a lot more simple than one might think.  One of the more popular ways to meet new people is through Facebook.  Almost every college has a Facebook page available for prospective students to join. For example, senior, Mike Lindberg, joined the ‘SUNY Cortland Class of 2022’ group after he received his acceptance letter.  “The Facebook page is a great way to meet new people.  All you have to do is post a short paragraph about yourself, along with a few photos,” exclaimed Lindberg.

TAYLOR FAGAN FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Another interesting social media app several students are using to connect with each other is GroupMe.  According to groupme.com, GroupMe is described as “A private chatroom for your small group.”  With this app, users are able to have a conversation, much like a regular text thread, with other people in the group chat without having to give away phone numbers and other sensitive information.  Tarek Abu-Zeid, a senior at Washingtonville, stated, “I enjoy GroupMe because it’s an easy way to have a conversation with others and find people who have similar interests.”

On the flip side, seniors sometimes do not need to look too far to find their perfect match.  Case in point, seniors at WHS and best friends, Anna Bonventre and Michaela Warren, plan to room with each other next year at SUNY Plattsburgh.  According to Bonventre, “We decided to room together because it was easier than finding someone that I could be compatible with and I’m excited to  go through freshman year with my best friend by my side.”  Having a roommate that you have known for years could be a fun opportunity, particularly for those teens with a fear of being homesick.   Being comfortable and familiar with a roommate can be a significant advantage.  

Everyone has different interests and requirements for their potential roommates.  For another senior at WHS, Darcy Doelger, she “aimed to have a roommate who is also majoring in nursing; that way we can study together and be on a similar schedule.”  Lindberg added, “It is important that the person has similar interests as you such as music, television shows, and sports.  You’re going to be spending almost everyday with them, so you want to make sure you can hold a conversation and enjoy the time you spend with them.”

Finding a roommate can be a stressful experience for so many seniors.  The fear of reaching out to unfamiliar people can make seniors nervous.  It is important to use the social media available in order to find the best roommate.  And remember, you are not alone in this endeavor.