By spring of senior year, college decisions posts begin filling Instagram feeds. Along with the posts come group chats, bios that read “Incoming freshman- looking for a roommate!” and a quiet pressure many seniors don’t talk about: finding someone to live with. For students preparing to leave home for the first time, the roommate search has become an unexpected part of growing up.
For many seniors, the process starts with a direct message. A quick glance at a profile turns into a carefully worked introduction, sent to a girl they have never met. “Hey I saw you’re going to the same school, are you still looking for a roommate?” It’s a message typed, deleted, rewritten, and finally sent, often followed by anxious waiting.
“I am committed to the University of Kansas and when I posted on the Kansas roommate account I was so scared of what would happen. I reached out to multiple girls and since then I’ve been able to gain one amazing roommate. I will be living in a quad and I’m super excited to find more,” said Tegan Steines, senior.
Being left on read or receiving a polite but uninterested response can feel embarrassing even though almost everyone is doing the same thing.
“One of my top schools is the University of Miami and I’ve been texting a few girls and have heard back from some of them, but there’s definitely been moments where they don’t respond and it’s a different type of embarrassment,” said Rugila Likataviciute, senior.
Conversations about majors, sleep schedules, and hobbies help students picture their future. However, social media profiles only show part of the story. Carefully chosen photos and short bios do not always reflect someone’s real habits or personality.
“It’s harder to connect with girls when finding a roommate when you’re just texting and looking at their Instagram page,” said Gabriella De Vita, senior. “I definitely have had a hard time figuring out which girls look or seem like they would be the best fit for a roommate.”
As graduation approaches, the roommate search becomes another reminder that college is coming up. Awkward messages, unanswered DMs, and uncertain decisions are all part of the experience. For many seniors, finding a roommate is not just about the housing, but about learning how to be uncomfortable takes risks and one step closer to being independent.