As another school year comes to a close, there is one pressing matter on everyone’s mind: where am I going to live next year, and who am I going to live with?
As an upcoming senior at CMU, I have had my fair share of unique roommates and awkward situations.

Ninety percent of the time, the ideal goal is to live with your best friends, since you see them every day and think you already know their flaws. However, many are hesitant because of the horror stories they have heard about how living with your friends will ruin your friendship. The best solution in this situation is to live with a large group of friends rather than just one or two best friends. If you end up fighting with one of them, the rest will act as mediators and smooth over any tension.

When it comes to living with someone, you have to be sure that your lifestyles mesh. This is especially relevant if you are messy and they claim to be neat freaks, or if you don’t like their friends or significant other.
Also, if you have early classes and plan on spending a lot of time studying at home, it’s best to live with someone who doesn’t party a lot. In my experience, when college students move out of the dorms and into a house, they realize that they can drink whenever they want, which results in chaotic situations. Establish ground rules before you move in together. Like all successful relationships, honesty is key.

When it comes to finding a house, the ones that are cheaper and nicer are far away from campus, while the older ones that are close by come with a steeper price.

Although sharing a room will theoretically save you money, it’s not advisable, especially if that person is in a relationship or partakes in many extracurricular activities.

Despite fears of moving out on your own and losing friends by living with them, it can work as long as you set ground rules and know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Start looking for places sooner rather than later to ensure that you find a place that meets all of your criteria. Living off campus can also lead to excessive partying and ditching classes more often, so make sure that you keep your priorities in order and live with people who care enough about you to make sure that you excel.