According to recent studies on roommate problems, 25% of students report roommate issues within the first month of moving in, with women more likely to report experiencing a problem than men.

So, considering that you may experience problems with your roommate you ask yourself, ‘what are the benefits of having a roommate?’

You’ll Meet New People

Being a college freshman can be a frightening ordeal, but when you have a roommate, you’re more likely to get out there and make new friends.

Two against the world will have a better impact than one. People often reported that it was because they had a roommate that they made new friends in college.

It’s also important to consider that each friend made by your roommate almost always becomes a friend to you too. Having a roommate builds a person’s friends group into a larger circle.

You Are Never Alone

While some people find this to be a negative aspect of having a roommate, it can actually be a positive when you think about it.

According to researchers on college and mental health, the incidence of depression and anxiety is actually decreased in people who live with roommates.

It’s important to remember there will always be someone to talk to whenever you are feeling down.  Your roommate can improve your quality of life and also prevent you from becoming isolated and alone.

You May Not Gain the Freshman 15

Researchers have found that female students with heavier roommates weighed less at the end of the school year in a study by Marquette University. The result of this study was due to the fact that the heavier roommates were already on a diet and exercise plan.

It also goes to show that when you live with a roommate, you may also work together to reduce the impact that the freshman 15 can have on you. People with roommates are more likely to go to the gym or choose a healthier lifestyle than if tried going alone.

You’ll Save Money in The Long Run

While it may be tempting to live alone during your college experience, it is actually financially smarter to have a roommate.

Think of it this way, every expense you can think of such as rent, utilities, internet bills and even furniture will automatically be split in two when you have a roommate.

This can make transitioning into adulthood much less drastic and draining on your pocketbook.  When you are ready to live alone or to move in with a partner you will be able to do so with a greater amount of money in savings.

You’ll Have Help

Whether it is financial help, emotional support, or even everyday tasks your roommate will give you help when you need it.

There are so many days to day chores that can be broken down into realistic chunks when you have a roommate.

You will be able to split chores like buying groceries, doing laundry or cleaning the dishes. Whatever the task is, you will have more free time when the burden is shared between two people.

You’ll Be Better at Conflict

While having a roommate comes with so many benefits there will come a time when some negotiation will occur. When there is conflict, you will usually have to find some way to compromise.

This becomes a constant part of everyday life, and researchers even say that it will make you a better socializer in the long run. Having a roommate forces you to become a socializing expert, because of the constant practice.

There are definitely pro’s and con’s, but the benefits truly outweigh the con’s when it comes to deciding whether or not to live with roommates.