Next year (my first year as a med student) I have the opportunity to room with a med student or non-med student (she is still an undergrad). What do you suggest? The pro of living with a med student is that we can study together, etc. The con is that he/she may cause too much stress for me. The pro of living with an undergrad would be that it would keep me "sane." The con is that I would still be affiliated with undergrads. Help!!
Medical Student: You may find out very quickly that you have drastically different study routines and schedules. If this happens then your "instant studymate" idea may become stressful. On the other hand, you can help each other when you can and you have someone who is understanding about the stress around exam periods.
If your medical school roomate is a year ahead, then you have access to someone who "knows the ropes" and can answer your questions, guide you etc. See post below.
Undergraduate student: May not understand that your time is very, very limited. The person may keep you sane or make you "insane" depending on their personality.
In the end, you may find that your apartment/house is where you sleep and eat occasionally and that you spend more time at school, in the library or in a study room than at home. If this becomes the case, you need good roomates who leave your stuff alone and don't expect you to be their social life.
I think you should room with an undergrad only if they are as serious as a premed student as you once were. Rooming with undergrads is not a sign of immaturity, nor is anyone gonna seriously evaluate your seriousness as a med student. However, rooming with a med-student can be more advantageous if you guys work as a team, and not as common enemies. Good Luck!
Wise advice because you can wind up as enemies and have to look at each other for three years (fourth year is mostly away). Choose your house/room mates wisely so that they are not a source of stress but help you with expenses and appreciate your demanding schedule. Again, you may find that home is not as important as school in terms of environment because you just won't spend too much time there.
I would vote for the med student, especially if they are not in the same year as you. The med student will have a much better understanding of the time commitments you will have to put towards studying, and less likely to label you as some antisocial freak who just hates spending time with their roommate going out for drinks. You are also less likely to get harrassed about doing everyday chores, because the med student will have a better understanding of the increased difficulty you will have in completing these tasks prior to exams.
Again, sound advice. Saving money is the only reason to share living space with another person that you are not romantically involved with. Just be sure that it's not a source of more stress to add to your already stressful situation. Good luck!
