Every year thousands of students search for the one(s) who they can find happiness and compatibility with — who can bring out the best in them and tolerate the worst in them. Yes, finding that special roommate is a big decision. For some, it is a spur of the moment decision that comes with the college experience; for others it is a well-contemplated, deliberate choice. The pairings can differ vastly, creating various environments reflective of the relationship. There is no concrete formula for roommates, making the combinations interesting and diverse: friends, strangers, duos, groups. Whether it turns out to be rewarding or detrimental to a relationship, living with other people is certainly eye-opening.
Here is an inside look at three sets of ASU's roommates at the beginning of the school year. As the year draws to an end, we will check back to see how the semester has treated them.
Roommates: Brittany Morris, Cassandra Strauss, Samantha Hauserman and Sarah Cronk Location: Rented house in Tempe Relationship: Friends Length of relationship: Mixed (some have known each other longer than others) Year: All juniors
Cronk stares quizzically at a toolset while decorating her rented house with her three roommates.
Strauss reads instructions on how to assemble window treatments, while Morris teases Hauserman off camera.
Cronk gains some necessary height with the support of Morris.
Strauss and Hauserman carry in a new addition to their apartment.
The four girls enjoy each others' company in the backyard of their rented house.
Roommates: Morgan Gray and Zachary Gray Location: Apartment complex in Tempe Relationship: Brother and sister Length of relationship: Life Year: Morgan is a senior. Zachary is a junior.
Zachary and Morgan give affection to Moo, their dog.
Moo lounges on Morgan's bed.
The siblings (literally) reflect in Morgan's room.
The siblings leave for an errand.
Roommates: Mollie Jahnke and Allison Barclay Location: Hassayampa dorm on the Tempe Campus Relationship: Met online via Devil to Devil Length of relationship: Less than a month Year: Both are freshmen
Jahnke and Barclay chat in their new dorm room.
Barclay applies mascara while getting ready to go eat.
Barclay smiles at her new roommate off camera.
Jahnke talks with Barclay off camera.
Contact the photographer at jloeser@asu.edu
