5 Easy Pieces Of Advice For Going The "Blind Roommate" Route

You've finally made your decision about which college to attend, and you're anxious, excited, nervous and hopeful all at once for this next step in your life. But, you've decided to go "blind roommate," and the thought of living in close quarters with someone you've never met makes you a little uncomfortable. Here are five pieces of advice to ensure you have the best “blind roommate” experience you can. (By: Alexandra Brown, University of Illinois)

1. Keep an open mind.

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Just as it's generally a good idea to have this attitude going into any type of situation, it is so important that as you're going in to this specific situation, you keep as much of an open mind as you can.

Sometimes things aren't as bad as we think they are in our heads, and our negative thoughts and attitudes can actually end up ruining something that wouldn't have been ruined otherwise.

Don't write off going "blind" before you give it a chance to be good, because you will regret it. Keep an open mind, and give this unique experience a chance. When else are you going to have the same experience again in your life?

2. Know that you two don't have to become best friends.

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The fact that you're going to be sharing a room with the same person for two full semesters doesn't mean that the two of you have to become best friends, or friends at all for that matter.

If you do end up clicking with your roommate, that's great, and they might become one of your closest friends you end up making from college.

However, don't feel like you have to force a relationship, or that you owe each other anything. You could end up simply being really good roommates, and that's it. There's nothing wrong with that.

3. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

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The decision to go "blind roommate" requires a lot of courage, so you should be proud of that. And it was probably a better choice to go "blind" than to room with your best friend from high school, because we all know that that choice could potentially come with its own set of negative consequences.

Just know that having this experience will make you stronger, no matter the outcome. You are being forced to share space with someone you've never met before, which requires keeping an open mind, being patient, and dealing with someone who might be completely different from you.

Whatever happens throughout these two semesters, whether it be positive or negative, you'll become a stronger person for it. Just keep in mind, it's not forever.

4. Be prepared for any kind of person.

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Being realistic rather than completely optimistic is sometimes your best defense against fear of the unknown. Preparing yourself for a variety of personalities when it comes time to move in to your dorm is probably a good thing to do in preparation.

Even if all of your friends are people with whom you have a lot in common, which they most likely are, try to think about the different types of people you've come across, either in high school or elsewhere, and how you would act around them.

Make an effort to, as emphasized before, keep an open mind when it comes to people who are different than you. Meeting someone new who isn't exactly like you can expand your perspectives on certain people, and even change the way you think about the world.

If worst comes to worst and your roommate turns out to be kind of the worst person ever, at least you'll have a story to tell, and you'll know how to deal with people like them in the future.

5. Be the roommate you want them to be to you.

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Last but not least, be the type of roommate you would want to have. Be courteous, patient, understanding, thoughtful, friendly and open. Don't close yourself off to the possibility of having a nice relationship with your roommate.

Ask them how their day was when they come home after class, or offer to go workout together, or grab a meal together at the dining hall. You can't expect your future roommate to be a great one unless you return the favor.

Going "blind" is a huge step toward your new life away at college, which comes with certain responsibilities, but it can also be fun. Don't completely write off your "blind" experience, and decide that it's going to be completely miserable.

If you allow yourself to get used to the new living situation, and actually give it a chance, it could have many positive effects.