Many seniors in high school are warned against the risks of becoming roommates with a friend because there is a high chance of personality clashes and boundaries being crossed, but seniors Maxine Baker and Jackie Chang are confident and excited about being future roommates.
They met freshman year in a personal finance class that they both coincidentally dropped out of.
“I remember I saw her at orientation, and then in the next class, I saw her, and I was like, ‘Oh, wait, you’re that girl in my personal finance class,’” Chang said. “She was also really close friends with Nicole [Cheng], who I became close with, and then all the friends came together.”
Originally Baker “begged [Jackie]” to become her roommate and Chang “finally agreed after a while.”
Recently they have decided to live together next year at t
he University of Kansas.
“As much as our personalities are very similar, we both know that we’re complete opposites too sometimes, so I think that would clash, but I think we’re both pretty good communicators, and so, it should be fine,” Chang said.
Baker worries about their opposite schedules. She will be majoring in Human Biology on a pre-med track, and minoring in marketing, while Chang will be majoring in architecture.
“[We] might be coming and going at different times,” Baker said. “I hope it doesn’t drive us crazy.”
Along with contrasting personalities, Baker and Chang have different styles.
“I like bold colors and patterns,” Baker said. “She likes more calmer vibes like auras and cool tone pastels.”
Chang chose KU for college because of their “build design, study abroad, and equipment.”
Baker chose it because of its proximity to home that allowed her to see her friends she has known for years.
“I am excited to finally be able to see [Jackie] more often,” Baker said. “We don’t have classes together so living together and constantly being in each other’s company will be relaxing and fun.”
Chang is also looking forward to living with a close friend.
“[Maxine’s] just a lot of fun to be around,” Chang said. “Even if I’m just sitting in silence, I feel like we wouldn’t be uncomfortable.”
Chang is also confident in her level of friendship and comfort with Baker.
“She’s a very supportive and friendly person, and she’s very funny,” Chang said. “She makes me laugh and not many people make me laugh, so, I love you, Maxine.”
