A random roommate assignment can spike student nerves regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, but many SU freshmen optimistically report that they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Salisbury University has many housing options; however, many freshmen are in double rooms, meaning they’ll likely be sharing living space with a roommate.
Aaron Cave, a freshman accounting major, recalls feeling a bit apprehensive before starting school.
“With the COVID thing going on, I guess I may have been a little nervous at first, knowing that a total stranger was coming and moving in with me,” Cave recalled.
However, despite initial nerves, Cave expresses the COVID-19 testing requirements significantly reduced his anxiety about his housing situation.
“…Especially after we got tested the first two weeks before coming on campus, I was a little more confident I’d be safe on campus.”
Many freshmen, like Cave, also feel that the pandemic has allowed them to become close to their roommates.
“It’s easier to make friends when with people in your dorm. He’s [Cave’s roommate] one of my closer friends I’d say,” Cave noted.
Although Cave feels his freshmen college experience is different from most, he appreciates that he’s still been able to create friendships.
“We just kind of bonded in a different way, but we still did it [bonding].”
Socializing has become more difficult for almost every college student, but SU freshmen are faced with the difficult task of creating close friendships while also practicing social distancing.
As such, freshmen have gotten creative socializing with one another which is where having a random roommate can come in handy.
Meghan Reed, a freshman biology major, and her roommate have found safe ways to have fun despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We actually watched a movie together yesterday which was really nice. We plan to try and do that maybe once a week just to get some time with each other.”
Reed believes the pandemic has strengthened her relationship with her roommate as well.
“With the pandemic, we’ve been able to spend more time together and get the chance to talk.”
“I think a lot of people feel the need to have someone that they know or someone that they’re close with, at least for freshman year so that they can adjust to the situation [first year of college]” noted Reed.
Reed expressed she would much rather be placed with a random roommate during the COVID-19 pandemic, than in a single room alone.
“It [a random roommate assignment] gives me someone to hang out with. It’s like a guaranteed friend…,” reflected Reed.
Many freshmen are experiencing a different first year of college, with the additional challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, most SU freshman are thankful for their random roommates, knowing they don’t have to face these challenges alone.
BY OLIVIA BALLMANN
Editorial Editor
Featured Image: Emma Reider image.
This is an uplifting article for sure!