The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College

Book Preface

How This Book Was Written
The Naked Roommate was compiled while visiting over four hundred college campuses, interviewing countless college professionals, and participating in conventions and conferences. Like previous editions, this updated edition combines the voices of students and college professionals with the latest trends, facts, and stats. Also included are resources, support services, recent data, the latest government information, hotlines, websites, and places for students to find answers to their questions.
The tips and stories behind the tips were compiled during face-to-face and phone interviews, via written request forms, and collected through my websites (www.HelpMeHarlan.com and www.NakedRoommate.com), and via email, Facebook, and professional organizations that requested students forward their stories and tips. Some of the quotations cited in The Naked Roommate were excerpted from articles I’ve written for the Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition.
The latest facts, figures, and information were provided by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA using the CIRP Freshman Survey and Your First College Year data (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014), the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014), the BACCHUS Network, the ACHA/NCHA II survey (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014), and various U.S. government websites. I also contacted the offices of the National Orientation Directors Association, the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, the National Panhellenic Conference, the North American Interfraternity Conference, and member schools of the National Association of College activities while gathering materials for this book project.
My goal continues to be to create the most complete and fact-based look at college life ever presented. I’d like to think of The Naked Roommate as an encyclopedia of what may or may not happen to students in college. It’s a tool to help ease students’ anxiety while helping them take the necessary steps to find their places on campus and create a world of options.
Please keep in mind: the tips on the following pages are in no way a fair and accurate representation of the entire student population at each institution or of the institutions themselves. Due to the sensitive nature of some tips, and to protect free-flowing information from students, proper names could not be used. If a student had strong concerns, his or her year in school was changed (but not the name of the school). The tips and the stories behind them are not direct quotes but are as accurate as possible.
The Sixth Edition: Toned, Leaner, and Fitter
If you’re reading this book (and you must be, unless someone is reading it to you), then you are reading the most updated version of this book. Think of The Naked Roommate getting a six pack (of abs, not beer). In this latest edition you’ll find updated stats and facts, some new websites, Facebook links, Twitter feeds, and more voices from more students.
You’ll also notice bonus content. I’ve added new info about sexual consent, depression, bystander intervention, sexual health, online safety, transition, roommate advice, and additional tips and stories from students. Online, I’ve been doing a tremendous amount of work to support students. Please visit and become a “Naked” member of www.NakedRoommate.com.
Additional Resources
The Naked Roommate has proven so helpful over the years that it’s now being used as required reading, as a textbook, and as a training guide for student leaders on campus. In addition, there’s a Naked Roommate’s First Year Survival Workbook and an online instructor’s guide to go along with the book. There’s even a book for parents to help them support students throughout their college experience—The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only.
Check out my new Naked Roommate College Boot Camp for Students and Parents online courses. Visit www.NakedRoommateBootCamp.com for sample lessons. There’s a track for students and a track for parents. Enter coupon code “NAKED6E” for a special discount just for readers of this book.
In addition to my books and online courses, visit www.NakedRoommate.com. Here you’ll discover college news, blogs, the Naked Roommate forums (for students and parents), and advice from my Help Me, Harlan! syndicated advice column and speaking programs and tour. You can also find me on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/NakedRoommate) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/NakedRoommate).
If you’re interested in my events, keynotes, and workshops for students, parents, and professionals, visit www.HarlanCohen.com. You can read advice, ask me questions, and sign up for my newsletter. My continued goal is to help students get comfortable with the uncomfortable while providing resources, support services, and information that will help them to thrive during the transition to college life and beyond.
A Note to Parents
Hi, parents. This is Harlan. Welcome! Thank you for picking up this book and reading this note. It’s a pleasure to meet you!
There’s something no one has told you about college planning. There’s search and selection, but there’s a third part—it’s the most crucial. It’s called TRANSITION, and it’s the time from when your child commits to a school to the end of the first year. It’s emotional, high stakes, and intense. It’s when a student thrives, survives, or struggles. It’s what this book is about. The college transition consists of five parts: Social, Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Academic. The Naked Roommate will help your child navigate them all.
Twenty years ago, parents of a student living away from home were lucky to get a call from their kid once a week. Now, with the help of cell phones, texting, Twitter, Facebook, FaceTime, and Skyping, a student can communicate problems to parents when they happen in real time. Never before have parents been so connected to their children’s college experiences moment by moment as they unfold. Many parents are literally pulled onto campus. This can be a good thing, but also a not-so-good thing.
First, the good. Being so connected means that you can offer more support than ever. Now the not-so-good: while you may be accessible, you may not always know how to respond. This book and The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only can be helpful resources. If you know what to expect and how to help your child navigate through it all—you can be the best resource. Once you know what’s normal and natural, you can guide your children through the normal obstacles that are part of college life. When a problem arises, instead of wanting to fix it (which may only heighten it), you can step back, listen, and point your child in the right direction to get help. It’s the difference between overpowering and empowering.
One suggestion to help you point your child in the right direction: visit your son’s or daughter’s college website to see specific resources and support services on campus. When visiting campus, introduce yourself to the people who will help your child. Know the people and places online (and on campus) that are available so that you will be prepared to guide your child to them. My hope is that you pick up a copy of this book for your son or daughter and page through it yourself. Then pick up a copy of The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only. Keep it close by, and when a problem comes up, use it as a tool (or if a door needs to be held open, it’s a great doorstop). Both these books can be your study guide/cheat sheet for college life.
Thank you for reading The Naked Roommate.