Eight months ago, I decided I would attend UF. After three months of hard work, stress and late nights spent over college applications, I thought I was finally done making hard choices about school.
Then, along came the question of who I was going to live with my freshman year. I considered living in a dorm and getting the “true” freshman experience by living with a random roommate. However, I decided I wanted to live in an apartment, because I thought I would be more comfortable having my own space. I also liked the idea of having a quiet space at home where I could study.
Luckily, I didn’t have to look very far to find my roommates. Three of my friends from high school and I decided we would live together in a four-bedroom and four-bathroom apartment.
If you’re wondering if living with people you know would work for you, here are some benefits I’ve experienced so far living with friends.
1. Knowing their personalities
Some people say you don’t really know someone until you live with them, but since I’ve known them for years, I knew that we would mesh really well together. I also knew their general likes and dislikes, which saved us the trouble of having to get to know each other and awkwardly deciding how to set boundaries.
2. Shared experiences = more bonding
Something we love to do on a weekday night is rehash different memories from high school. When we tell each other that we miss certain traditions from school or from Miami in general, we understand each other and know how to comfort each other. For example, when my grandmother came to visit in September, she made a Cuban chicken soup that is one of our comfort foods from Miami.
3. The more, the merrier
Of all the times I’ve gone out in Gainesville, I’ve been with at least one of my roommates. We usually run errands together, which makes Publix and Target shopping a lot easier. When we go out at night, we all look after each other and walk back together.. When it comes to hanging out in the apartment, we all sit and chit-chat over dinner or catch up once class is over.
4. We’re all friends here
Because we went to school together and a lot of our friends also attend UF, we all know most of the people we each invite over. A couple of our friends also attend Florida State University, so when they come to visit, there’s no awkwardness in letting them bunk with us. If I had lived with a random roommate, I would have worried about getting along with the friends they bring from other states or universities.
However, even though I did know my roommates beforehand, the most important factors that make sure we all function as a unit are communication and knowing each other’s boundaries.
1. Communication is key
Communication goes a long way in making sure that we work well together. Letting each other know when we’re bringing people over, going grocery shopping or picking up food helps foster a positive environment. Since we are all friends, it’s especially important we all respect each other.
2. Respect alone time
Acknowledging each other’s boundaries and respecting alone time is key. If we’re all in our rooms late at night and we’re doing homework, then we try to be quiet for each other. While we usually sit and do homework together, it’s necessary for us to have our time independent from each other.
3. Create a chore list
Creating a chore list can help manage tasks around the apartment. Instead of one of us cleaning every Sunday, we split up different parts of our kitchen and assigned each of us to that part. This ensures that we all contribute fairly to housework, from taking out the trash to cleaning the stove and counter.
4. Spend time together
While we can each get caught up with schoolwork or studying, it’s still important that we all set aside time to spend together. Whether it be watching Netflix together on the couch or simply taking five minutes to chat after coming back from class, spending time with each other increases our bond and keeps us updated on each other’s lives.
I can happily say that we have started to find our groove and see what does and doesn’t work for us. Through all the trial and error, I am grateful to go through it with friends I’ve known for a long time.
Isabella Cabrera is an 18-year-old UF political science freshman.
Isabella Cabrera is an 18-year-old UF political science freshman.
