Letter to My Future Roommate Anonymous

To my future roommate,

Over the summer, I became somewhat of a trail mix connoisseur. I discovered a deep love of trail mix while spending time in a residential program where I essentially subsisted on the stuff. It makes sense for me to want to find the optimal combination. But I think there is a lot you can tell about a person from their chosen mix. I have yet to find my perfect con- coction (sadly, dried pineapple and peanuts don’t exactly blend), but I definitely have some favorites which reflect a lot of what you might need to know about me.

First, my perfect trail mix has two different types of nuts. They should be neither too salty, nor too bland. For me, these are peanuts and praline pecans. My sister is allergic, so peanuts for our family equal risk. I challenge myself, taking difficult classes like multivariable calculus, even when I stumble. But I always crave the taste of peanuts, so I’m willing to take those chances. Furthermore, praline pecans add an extra layer of crunch and sweetness. I love the double layers; it’s another reminder to look a little bit deeper and think about multiple perspectives in any interactions with issues or people I come across.

There then needs to be a dried fruit; anything that adds a...