In a college living situation, students may assume having roommates is the best -- and only -- choice. However, living alone is always an option.
"If you have a roommate, you have one, and if you don't, you don't," said Nicholas Bowman, senior in mechanical engineering. "You get used to it either way."
Bowman said he has experienced both living with a roommate and without one.
Sharing a room with another person can lead to compromise, but also leads to more opportunities for socializing, according to Bowman.
Jamie Quirk, freshman in business, said she enjoys having a roommate because it has made her more consciencious.
"My roommate and I don't really keep the room messy, but [living with a roommate] definitely taught me to clean up after myself," Quirk said.
Quirk said her roommate experience has been positive, and when time comes again to make a decision, she will live with a roommate again.
"Living with a roommate can be good," said Joe Butts, sophomore in wireless engineering. "It just depends on the roommate."
Because of different outlooks, Butts said it can be a less pleasant experience to live with a roommate. He said misunderstanding is a factor that can affect the decision to live with a roommate, especially in a shared space.
Having a roommate is not a matter of liking the person, but how well the roommates are able to come to an understanding, according to Butts.
Butts said he finds it easier to study and focus without a roommate. He said having his own space allows him the freedom to enjoy his alone time.
Butts said he enjoys living alone and would do it again.
Bowman said he doesn't see a difference between the two, but still prefers having a roommate.
"In the past, every time I had a choice, I chose to live with a roommate," Bowman said.
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