During our university days, most students share their living space with multiple roommates. You might be preparing to live with someone for the first time or simply moving in with new people. Whether they start as a complete stranger, a friend, or a stranger who becomes a friend, you are sure to encounter various types of roommates and learn different ways to handle each!

Here are the seven types of roommates you’re very likely to meet in your college life:

1. The Clean-Freak

It doesn’t matter if it’s 7 AM and you’ve just pulled an all-nighter to finish that assignment, if there’s so much as a crumb on the carpet, they will make you vacuum it. The Clean-Freak will make your entire house smell like an air freshener factory, and to leave an innocent mug in the sink is to risk incurring their wrath. Take a deep breath, and be ready for an abundance of passive-aggressive group texts!

2. The Slob

Most of us are guilty of letting dirty dishes pile up or only remembering to vacuum when guests are expected. The Slob, however, turns minor messes into an art form of domestic chaos spanning over three years. Their floor is a makeshift wardrobe, the kitchen is a breeding ground for unknown organisms, and they think “the washing machine” is an obscure ‘90s rock band. If one of your housemates is a slob, get a box of detergent and a nose peg in hand, and prepare to encounter entire new life forms.

3. The Party Animal

Whether it's the middle of exams or the beginning of the semester, these housemates will always find a reason to throw a party. And they won’t party alone—they’ll invite friends from all over and go all out until 5 AM. So, you’ll either have to join in on the festivities or brace yourself for some inevitable confrontations…

4. The Fitness Freak

Early mornings, protein shakes, and a routine that never skips leg day—that's your fitness freak roommate. They always find new fun ways to stay active; be it gym, yoga, or just a run. They inspire you to be healthier too!

Just don’t be surprised if your fridge fills up with meal prep containers.

5. The Raccoon

Picture this: you’ve just bought yourself a nice piece of cake and left a note saying that it’s yours in the fridge. You go away for a bit only to come back to a fridge without cake. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, then you might have a raccoon roommate on your hands.

6. The Nurturer

“Are you well?”

“Did you drink water?”

“Are you saving money?”

“Why are you so late?”

The nurturers are always looking out for you. These are the friends who truly care about you but end up behaving like your parents. If they could, they'd probably impose a curfew on you! Despite this, their intentions are good, and you might just come to appreciate them for it.

7. The Friend

Living with housemates for the first time can be hard, but this type of housemate makes it all worth it. The friend is that roommate who makes you feel comfortable from the get-go, makes you feel included, takes you around EVERYWHERE, and makes your student accommodation feel like HOME. <3

Well, if you have already lived with a bunch of roomies, then you know that these are just light-hearted jokes! And if you are someone who is preparing to move in with new people for the first time then take these with a grain of salt, as people are generally nice and these are things that can be easily talked through.

A tip for newbies would be to be respectful of others’ space and needs, and make the most out of this experience as you will cherish this time for years to come.

Take it easy and we wish you the best for your uni life!