So you’re heading off to a Christian college – how exciting! But you’re probably nervous about meeting your roommate for the first time. That’s understandable. You’re probably just really hoping you get on well!
Here are some great ideas to start off on the right foot with your roommate, and build a strong and sustainable relationship so you have a great time living together.
Introduce yourselves
On day one, make sure you and your roommate take some time to introduce yourselves and get acquainted. Chat about your families, your interests and your majors.
At a Christian college, it’s likely that the two of you will share a faith in common, which is great! But you may come from different Christian traditions or denominational backgrounds, so make sure that you get that out in the open, and chat about how that might affect your living together.
Go above and beyond
Since you’re at a Christian college, your conduct is expected to be above and beyond what would be expected at a secular college. But if you can go even further in demonstrating God’s love to your roommate, that would be great!
Offer to do their washing, sweep your room, pick up supplies for them at the grocery store, drive them to practice or head along to their sports games or drama performances to cheer them on. Make the most of the Christian college environment and be like Jesus in the way that you serve your roommate.
Support their faith
Ask your new roommate about how they like to worship and spend time with God, and make sure you make it as easy as possible for them to do that. If that means being happy for them to set their alarm a little early so they can read the Bible and pray, then put on a big smile and show your support. It’s a college for Christians after all!
Pray for them
Spend time each day in prayer for your roommate. At a Christian college, prayer is a cornerstone of everything that happens, and that shouldn’t just be limited to the chapel and the classrooms. Bring prayer into your dorm room and pray each day for your roommate. You could even have a prayer board in your room to share prayer requests with each other!
At the end of the year…
When your time living together comes to an end, make sure you celebrate all that God has done through your relationships! Go out for lunch together, or go bowling or to the batting cages, and chat about what you’ve liked about living together. You might get a new roommate next year at your Christian college, or you might move off campus, so take a chance to say thank you and good bye.
Having a roommate for the first time can be daunting, but with these tips you should be able to build a strong relationship with your roommate, which will make your Christian college experience even better!