American college students are put in the unusual predicament of staying in the same room as their roommates. In most cases of the word, roommate doesn’t mean that you’re sleeping in the same room, but unless you have a unique circumstance, you’re likely going to be sleeping next to a complete stranger for your first 1-2 years of University. 

For me, this was a non-issue. I was out of the room every day, all day, from 9 AM to 10 PM. I was going to classes, libraries, dining halls, extracurricular clubs, and even my friend’s dorms before I went back to twiddle my thumbs in my own room. The only time I was ever with my freshman-year roommate was when we slept. That is a uniquely vulnerable position to be in. She could’ve drawn an explicit image on my face or put my hand in a bowl of warm water!