Are you wondering what kind of roommate will be perfect for you? Most colleges use questionnaire forms to match your interests with those of someone else. Although some college students are fortunate enough to end up with their perfect match, many aren't quite so lucky.
Take this quiz to find out what kind of roomie would be perfect for you.
1. Imagine your room. What’s there? a) Pictures of your friends, concert posters, maybe a stray item of clothing here and there. b) Piles of dirty laundry (hey, you just didn't have time to get to it yet), wrinkled bedding … and is that your biology homework from last semester in the corner? c) Nothing. It’s so spic and span that even Martha Stewart would approve!
2. In high school, you are best known as: a) The artist: free spirited, creative, not afraid to do your own thing. b) Student council president: organized, witty, always punctual. c) Class comedian: You can always make someone crack up!
3. What are your sleeping habits? a) Sleep? What is sleep? b) Bedtime is whenever you return from the date, party or other exciting event of the evening. c) You start yawning around 9 o’clock or so and generally go to bed around the same time every night.
4. Your little sister borrows your favorite CD—without asking! You... a) Totally freak out. How could she invade your room like that? b) Don’t really care. It’s just a CD, and you trust her with your things. c) Are kind of ticked off, and sit her down for a calm talk about asking before borrowing your things again.
5. When checking out people to date, what pulls you in hook, line and sinker? a) Someone who makes you laugh and feel all giddy inside. b) It’s all in the looks, baby! c) Wit and intelligence. If they can carry on a conversation with you for more than 10 minutes, they’re definitely a possibility.
6. It’s Friday night. Where are you? a) At a friend’s house, watching movies and chilling out. b) At the school basketball game, cheering for your team. c) At home, reading that brand-new book you just checked out of the library.
7. What kind of music do you listen to? a) Mellow music that you can listen to and relax. b) Edgy, loud lyrics are what you need to be satisfied. c) Anything that makes you get your groove on!
Check your answers here and add up your results. 1. a) 2 b) 1 c) 3 2. a) 1 b) 3 c) 2 3. a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 4. a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 5. a) 2 b) 1 c) 3 6. a) 2 b) 3 c) 1 7. a) 3 b) 1 c) 2
7 to 11 points Bohemian You play by your own rules. You have artistic or literary interests and can disregard conventional standards of behavior. If your room looks like a tornado went through it, many colleges recommend rooming with someone who is not a neat freak. (Duh!) You may be someone who is loud and outgoing and loves to party. Peggy Walker, student-housing coordinator for Finger Lakes Student Housing, says that “usually, the [people] who are not shy… want a roommate that wants to go out and have fun.”
12 to 16 points Easygoing You are pretty laid back, aren’t too sloppy and are easy to get along with. Your best interest would be to be matched with someone who has the same interests as you. Some colleges inquire about the types of music you listen to, the type of TV you watch, sports you play and what’s important to you. Another crucial question is whether you smoke or drink, which could affect your relationship with your roommate. The questions asked depend on the type of school you attend. At the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., housing directors try to place students with people who do not play their same instruments so your experiences are diversified.
17 to 21 points Timid and tidy! If you aren’t a big people person or if “organization” is your middle name, this category is for you. Although some colleges recommend placing the quieter people together, others do not. The housing department at the Eastman School of Music recommends placing shy people with more outgoing people. But if you’re a neat freak, living with a slob will drive you crazy! Although some colleges ask only a few questions on their housing forms, others go much more in depth. “I just go by what they tell me…sometimes they don’t tell me enough,” says Walker. “I tell them [to] give me as much information as they can.” Make sure that, when giving information about yourself, you are completely honest so that you can get the best possible roommate match.
