Roommate 101

• Introduction:
  Roommate relationships play a crucial role in a student’s mental well-being, social experience, and academic success. Yet, many struggle to find a compatible roommate due to misleading social media interactions, ineffective university resources, and poor conflict resolution skills. Roommate 101 is a digital solution that uses humor and practical resources to help students navigate this experience more effectively.

• Key Features:

  • Instagram Page with engaging content, memes, and roommate stories

  • A companion website with compatibility questionnaires, tips, and interactive tools

  • A research-driven approach backed by student feedback and expert insights

• Why This Project?
  Roommate conflicts are a widespread issue. My research found that nearly half of college students experience roommate conflicts, with 17% reporting negative academic impacts. Many turn to social media for roommate matching, which often lacks authenticity and structured compatibility tests.

• Common Challenges:

  • Mismatched expectations from social media interactions

  • Lack of guidance on how to select a roommate

  • Poor conflict resolution and communication skills

  • Limited university-provided resources

• How I Researched the Problem:

  • Literature Review: Studied roommate dynamics, academic impacts, and social behaviors

  • Student Interviews: Gathered insights on real experiences, struggles, and solutions

  • Expert Consultation: Worked with Ricardo Treviño Jr., Assistant Director of Residence Life at Miami University

  • Competitive Analysis: Analyzed existing roommate-matching tools and university resources

• Key Research Findings:

  1. Students Misrepresent Themselves: Many give unrealistic answers about their cleanliness, study habits, or preferences.

  2. Poor Communication Causes Conflicts: Successful roommate relationships require open dialogue, but many first-year students lack these skills.

  3. Social Media Plays a Big Role: Facebook groups and Instagram DMs are commonly used but lack structured compatibility methods.

  4. Students Feel Unprepared: Many don’t know what to ask potential roommates, leading to conflicts over lifestyle differences.

Dual-Platform Approach

• 1. Instagram Page (@Roommate101):

  • Engaging, relatable, and humorous content to educate students

  • Features include:

    • "Roommate Translator" – Decoding roommate behaviors

    • "Roommate Red Flags" – Helping students spot potential compatibility issues

    • "Would You Rather?" Instagram Stories – Encouraging interactive engagement

    • Community Engagement – Students share their own roommate stories

• 2. Companion Website (Linked to Instagram):

  • Compatibility Questionnaires – Helps students assess their own needs and find better roommate matches

  • Guides & Conversation Starters – Equips students with the right questions to ask before moving in

  • Student-Submitted Stories & Tips – A collaborative feature allowing students to contribute advice

  • Interactive Features:

    • Dropdown explanations for common roommate issues

    • A roommate story submission form powered by JavaScript for real-time feedback

• Visual Identity:

  • Inspired by collegiate themes, featuring a navy, yellow, light blue, and white color scheme

  • Hand-designed logo that mimics a university flag for relatability

  • Fonts: Collegiate-style typography for a clean, modern aesthetic

• Content Strategy:

  • Brainstormed 30+ content ideas, categorized into:

    • Resources & Tips (guides, checklists)

    • Stats & Research (data-driven insights)

    • Memes & Humor (relatable and shareable content)

    • Games & Interactive Content (quizzes, polls, challenges)

• Content Calendar:

  • Used Google Sheets to track and organize post schedules

  • Ensured a mix of engagement-driven and educational posts

• User Testing & Feedback:

  • Conducted peer feedback sessions and received valuable insights from students

  • Student Rory noted that “Roommate Red Flags” was her favorite, as it helped her evaluate responses from potential roommates

  • Mentor Ricardo emphasized the importance of humor and relatable content, which helped refine the project’s tone

• Project Iterations Based on Feedback:

  • Added student-submitted stories & tips to keep content fresh

  • Developed interactive Instagram stories for higher engagement

  • Implemented dropdown explanations on the website for clarity

• Why Roommate 101 is Different:

  • Moves beyond traditional university dorm resources, making roommate advice relatable, engaging, and accessible

  • Student-focused approach makes it more authentic than administrative housing tips

  • Combines social media, interactive content, and real-life experiences

• Future Goals:

  • Collaborate with influencers to increase reach

  • Expand Instagram & website content with videos, reels, and testimonials

  • Develop advanced compatibility quizzes for deeper roommate insights

  • Increase engagement through interactive Instagram challenges