Since the late 2010s, roommates have increasingly been found through the social media app Instagram. Many colleges create Instagram accounts and allow students to post pictures of themselves with a short caption to find a roommate. This creates a culture in which the familiar is highly appealing, affecting a person’s college experience.

Since the advent of social media, an unattainable beauty standard has been established, creating insecurities, particularly among young people. Finding a roommate through Instagram is an extension of this because it turns these pages into a beauty contest. I have heard people say that because someone looks “weird” in their picture, they don’t want to room with them. It not only can be harmful, but it also discourages students from stepping outside their comfort zones.

It’s important to note that no Instagram caption will perfectly embody a person as they are. Arguably, this is essentially the same as getting a random roommate, except now people get to decide who is worthy based on a picture. According to a study conducted by Boise State, 25 percent of students struggle with roommate problems. Finding a roommate has always been a struggle, but with staged pictures blinding us, it becomes a more serious issue.

Being assigned a random roommate is better than finding a roommate online because it helps you branch out, which is the purpose of college. College is an unfamiliar and intimidating environment, and having a fresh new face to experience college with you will help you adapt to that environment. A study conducted at Brown found that 70 percent of freshman students who were assigned a roommate were very satisfied.

Ideally, you should not limit yourself to the same experiences that shaped you; college is a chance to try new things. According to a study by Georgetown University, about one in every three college students in the US reported roommate problems last year, demonstrating that roommate compatibility is often unpredictable, proving that compatibility can’t be guaranteed through online profiles.

A lesson that my parents have taught me is that who you are in high school is not necessarily who you want to become in life. That statement has led me to conclude that finding a random roommate who is the opposite of you has benefits that are previously overlooked by people who don’t want change. It exposes you to new things, which more closely aligns with the college experience.