Your college roommate can significantly impact your first-year experience. Your roommate is often one of the first people you meet on campus. They are also someone with whom you spend a lot of your time with. So, it’s important to put some effort into finding someone who works with your personality and lifestyle. Here's how to find the right fit at UIS.

Finding a Roommate Through the UIS Housing Portal

The UIS housing portal is your go-to resource for all housing-related tasks. This platform allows students to:

• Complete housing contracts
• Request a roommate
• Message other students 
• Receive important updates from Residence Life

If you don’t create a roommate group through the housing application, don’t worry! UIS will match you with a roommate based on your compatibility and responses to profile questions. These questions assess factors such as:

• Cleanliness habits
• Sleep schedules
• Study preferences
• Social tendencies

Some students enjoy a lively, social room, while others prefer a quiet and peaceful environment. The matching process helps create a balance between different preferences, ensuring a smoother transition into college life.

Understanding that Preferences Can Change

While the housing portal helps you match with someone compatible, it’s also important to remember that your preferences (and your roommate’s) might change as you adjust to college life. Many first-year students will have never lived away from home before and may not know what their habits will be once they move out. Many students are used to living under their parents’ supervision, but moving away can reveal new habits and preferences they didn’t expect.

Meeting Your Roommate Before Move-In Day

Connecting with potential roommates before move-in can help set expectations and build rapport. You can meet in person or online to discuss habits, schedules, and personal preferences. Keeping an open mind is crucial, as both of you will grow and change throughout your college experience.

Other Ways to Meet Potential Roommates at UIS

Student Orientation

You can also meet people in person during your student orientation. Orientation will help you get to know other students in your year, gain a better understanding of UIS and become part of our Prairie Stars community.

UIS Students Facebook Groups

The UIS Students 2025-26 Facebook Group, created each year by the UIS New Student Orientation team, helps incoming students connect and stay updated on events. Here, you can introduce yourself, share your major, and discuss your living preferences. Everyone in the group is looking to make connections, just like you!

Embrace the Experience

No matter how you meet your roommate, your first year is all about communication, compromise, and personal growth. Living with someone new is an exciting part of the college experience, and your roommate might even become one of your closest friends. Embrace this journey and enjoy your time at UIS!

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