At the start of a school year, it’s only natural to want to make new friends. In the beginning, it can definitely be hard when you’re a freshman or a transfer, just trying to discover what university life offers while connecting with others. But sometimes, the answer to your problem is sleeping right next to you — on a separate bed in a nonsexual, extremely platonic way, of course.

Your roommates are the perfect place to start with making friends and connections. Just by spending time with them, you can forge strong friendships and hear interesting perspectives. Whether you just met them or not, here are some things you can do with your roommate to relate to one another and become friends.

Club Meetings and Organizations

Attending general interest meetings together or participating in campus organizations with your roommate can greatly benefit both of you. You can go with them to club events, and you will have something in common to talk about on a regular basis. Through the team-building and planning prevalent on E-Boards, you will meet new people while also keeping your roommate updated on the changing social climate of the organization.

Attending these events together gives you a chance to bond over shared pride in your organization while discovering even more activities to enjoy side by side.

Play Games at the Union Undergrounds

The Union Undergrounds is a fun, student-friendly hangout on campus where you can relax, socialize and enjoy a variety of activities. The plethora of entertainment options includes billiards, table tennis, foosball, shuffleboard, Nintendo Switch and Meta VR — with many activities available for free or at low cost.

Everyone should go bowling at least once at The Lanes. It’s free for all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, with a 50-cent shoe rental. With extended hours throughout the week, the Undergrounds is a great place to spend time with your roommate, take a break from studying, and create memorable campus experiences.

Dine on Campus

Sometimes, the best way to get to know someone is voluntarily stuffing your face with processed food. On campus, there is no shortage of spots to get your freshman 15, with option after option of guilty pleasures.

Naturally, there are many places to hang out and eat on campus. There are dining halls, of course, but many prefer the MarketPlace, which has many retail food options relatively close to class. In fact, it’s a great idea to meet your roommate during gaps in your schedule to catch up and connect. Campus dining locations encourage socialization and good discussion, providing deeper insight into what kind of person your roommate is.

Explore the Greater Binghamton Area

Attending general interest meetings together, exploring the area, going bowling or grabbing a bite to eat are all great ways to bond. However, if you are a freshman, venturing out to explore Binghamton can be a bonding experience in its own right — especially if you board a random bus. Heading downtown to soak in the grimy atmosphere can bring together two wayward souls through their shared survival and perseverance.

Venturing off campus to catch a movie, grab a meal, explore the area or browse the local Goodwill to try on outfits worn by someone who passed away gives your roommate a much-needed break from campus life. However, going off campus isn’t the best for everyone, especially if no one has any mode of transportation. If leaving campus isn’t your style, you can always chase your roommate through the shadowy woods of the Nature Preserve to help them lose weight.

Cook Together

You might be tired of waiting all the way until winter break just to raid your fridge back home and stuff your face with homemade cooking or constantly complaining about the endless parade of unhealthy food options on campus. Either way, maybe it’s time for you and your roommate to finally get off your lazy bums and go to the grocery store like two actual, contributing adults in society.

Baking and cooking in dorm kitchens can be a genuinely fun bonding experience. Getting the ingredients from the store and going step by step together in the kitchen is great for truly connecting. When you’re away from home for the first time, making mistakes in the kitchen is practically guaranteed — especially if neither of you cooks much. Preparing a meal together gives you both a chance to laugh at your mishaps, navigate the process together and get to know one another better.

Ultimately, regardless of how the dish turns out, you’ll connect over the shared pride — or collective embarrassment of your culinary creation.

Go to Campus Events

There is always something happening on campus. Organizations like Campus Activities host events all the time, and they’re great to take advantage of because many of them are free to all students. What’s also great about these events is that a lot of them encourage group activities like arts and crafts or karaoke, which is perfect to do with a roommate. Sometimes, there are even concerts with talented musicians and impressive headliners.

Some amazing events to take part in with your roommate include UFEST, Spring Fling, Carnival, RENA Magazine fashion shows, concerts, sports games, club banquets, movie screenings, flea markets and many more.

Overall, there’s a multitude of activities and events to partake in to make your roommate not just a friend — but a true bestie, through thick and thin.