Roommates?!

[airplanes]

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Hey, I was just trying to get your guys opinions on whether or not its worth it to have a roommate during the pre-clinical years. I will be apartment shopping soon and a few people are interested in rooming with me (two of them are actually starting dent school this august at the same place).

I've heard varying opinions about the pro's and con's. What proportion of med students (that aren't living with a SO) have roommates? Would you recommend it? Is it worth it to have a defacto study buddy or have some of you all found it frustrating when you need personal space? I imagine it also hinges heavily on how compatible you and your roommate are and your ability to compromise or block out distractions.

I've lived with roommates all throughout Ugrad. I live with like 6 other people right now in a townhouse. I rarely get studying done at home but its a nice atmosphere and we have a lot of fun. The only worry I have about living alone is that I'm a social person and putting myself in that situation might encourage me to not get out as much.

Thanks!

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

It's run the whole gammut. I've seen two classmates turn into hated enemies, I've seen minor annoyance, complete ambivalence, good natured camraderie, and deep friendships with medical school roommates.

I will say, the majority of the negative interactions came from people who were paired together first year without knowing eachother two well (either through the school, or an apartment complex matching service), however, these have turned out fine as well. I think after first year, the people who decide to room with a classmate turn out pretty well: because you've taken a year to get to know this person and want to make it work.

There was quite a few people in my class who "reassorted" second year, either they lived solo first year and moved in together, or they shuffled roommates (A and B are paired first year, as are C and D. Second year, B goes to live with C, A has E move in to fill B's place, D lievs solo), this was mostly done amiccably.

 

[WellWornLad]

What proportion of med students (that aren't living with a SO) have roommates?

Depends on where you're going to school. In my particular urban area, you'd have to be pretty well-off to afford to live by yourself. Out in the boondocks, not so much.

Would you recommend it? Is it worth it to have a defacto study buddy or have some of you all found it frustrating when you need personal space?

If I could afford to live alone, I would. That said, I do like my roommates, and none of them go to med school, so it's great that I can go home and not be subjected to people talking about the latest exam we just took. I don't think I'd want to live with other med students.

As for "personal space," that's what your bedroom is for.

The only worry I have about living alone is that I'm a social person and putting myself in that situation might encourage me to not get out as much.

As a social person, wouldn't you worry more about getting out too much?

 

[Tiger26]

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[fireflygirl]

I think it's totally worth taking the chance on having a roommate. I am a non-trad who has been living alone since I graduated college 6 years ago and I thought nothing of getting a roommate when I started school since I had become so used to living without one. I think it was a big mistake. Medical school is very isolating and even though you may make a ton of friends and have a great social life, the foundation of med school often involves sitting by yourself and studying for insane amounts of time. I think having someone that you can talk to at home, someone who is going through the same thing as you is very comforting. I think it helps foster a very supportive atmosphere (esp if you have a good roommate) and helps maintain your sanity during the tough periods, like 1st semester or the winter of your first year.

If you are worried about having a bad experience, interview the potential roommates. Any decent person will want a good roommate experience as well and won't mind being "interviewed" because it will give them a chance to get to know you too. And ultimately, you are going to save a lot more money!

 

[sprinkibrio]

I'd say 70% of students at my school live alone or with their boyfriend/husband.

It's funny, I've found a trend that there is a group who prefers to live near the school with roomates (mirroring college life) and there is a group that prefers to live away from the school alone. It's definitely not a strict boundary, but it is interesting.

I'm the type of personality that prefers to live alone. I would recommend living alone since you haven't already. I think everyone needs to live alone for a while before they marry. It takes 2 weeks of getting used to in terms of lonliness, but there is no going back!

Medical school can get more lonely than other career paths, but you need to learn how to go out of your way to study around or with people and generally get your needs met independently.

 

[ButImLETired]

I've lived with roommates all my life and I'm going to try and live alone through med school. I think it would be nice to go home and have peace and quiet, find everything where I left it, and not having to curtail my mess because of other people- in general, roommates are kinda stressful.

On the other hand, I'm planning on spending most of my day on campus, studying in the library etc, so I won't be too lonely. I'm also going to have lots of dinner parties and stuff in the beginning of the year so my house becomes a hang-out spot 😀. I hope this plan works...

 

[airplanes]

Thanks for all the input everyone. You guys seem to be all over the place though! I still don't know what I'm leaning towards...money won't be my deciding factor. Maybe living by myself for a year before I meet some compatible med students would be good..

 

[scarletgirl777]

I've lived with roommates all my life and I'm going to try and live alone through med school. I think it would be nice to go home and have peace and quiet, find everything where I left it, and not having to curtail my mess because of other people- in general, roommates are kinda stressful.

On the other hand, I'm planning on spending most of my day on campus, studying in the library etc, so I won't be too lonely. I'm also going to have lots of dinner parties and stuff in the beginning of the year so my house becomes a hang-out spot 😀. I hope this plan works...

Completely and totally understand that!!!

 

[Blondbondgirl]

Well, I am married but I go to school 2 hours away so I have an apartment up at school Mon-Fri. Financially I couldn't swing it anymore and I had the choice of moving into the dorms (community bathroom/kitchen) or moving in with one of my aquaintance study-buddies in her great apartment. I was torn, too, I had roommates in college that were HORRIBLE, only 1 that was great and I lived alone- not to mention I was more used to married life!

But I found medical school to be emotionally taxing- so much to study, so much responsibility, suddenly so far away from home (and husband) and I got very lonely- I am SO GLAD I moved in with my roomie, it was a great decision. If I have days I can't study well at home I go to the library and since she's a med student too we do cases together at night, watch House together, but she's also great about taking time for non-medical stuff, which I feel is really important. Plus, I feel she and I can easily talk about things-we've never had a fight! That's really important, even if two people are really different (messy vs. clean or studyaholics vs. partyaholics) if you can respect and calmly figure out a compromise for stuff you're golden!

So I think the dental students would understand your work load but offer a nice change of pace from the medical world, I would meet them for coffee and ask them about their college experiences and how they study and all that. If you get a wierd feeling, forget it! it's not worth living with someone who you fight with.

Good Luck!

 

[URHere]

This may just be my personal preference, but I don't think I could ever live in an apartment by myself. On the other hand, I know people who absolutely couldn't swing sharing a place with people they didn't know well.

You just need to figure out which type of person you are. Do you go a little bit crazy when it is too quiet or do you find yourself getting agitated when it is too loud? Would you rather think of your home as your haven away from everyone else or as a place where you can relax and escape school with a few friends? Once you figure that out, I think you'll find it easier to decide if you want a roommate or not.

Just a few caveats though - if you decide to room solo, you will most likely end up in an apartment complex, and many have very thin walls. I know quite a few people who live alone and still have to deal with the noise factor, so don't overlook that. If you choose to live with roommates, you should be able to afford a spot in a nice house which does have a few advantages: thicker walls, more space for gatherings, etc. I know those aren't decision-making facts, just throwing them out there.

 

[searun]

I lived in a med school dorm my first year with other med students. Now, second year, I am living in an apartment with a couple of buddies who lived on my floor in the dorm last year. We have become great friends and it is working out great, lots of laughs and comraderie.

 

[airplanes]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[Sandlot13]

I too am stuck on this topic..... i really dont know what to do about it, since I spent all of college living with four other guys and loved it, but have lived alone since then and loved it too..... a rather tough predicament

 

[confuse]

Well, if money is not a factor, I think living alone is nice because you can come home and do whatever you want at your own privacy. Having a roommate has its pluses too because it might motivate you to socialize and hang out more. I like food so it was cool last year when my roommate was always available to dine out together.