DD’19 originally was adamant she wanted to go where NO ONE from HS went, but then ended up where several go every year. As senior year went on and it became more real and she got a little nostalgic, she was comforted to know that there would be someone she knew on campus.
I told her not to room with a friend, that way they would each maybe expand their circle with their different roommates if the roommates became friends, and have a different room to hang out in if they wanted to be away from roommate sometimes. Yes she was nervous about living with a stranger, but she hit the jackpot with a new best friend and they stayed roommates the whole time. I know it doesn’t always work out that way!
Of the girls in her grade that also went, 1 she never saw, 1 was around and they talked a little now and then, 1 was in theatre with her first semester then left, and 1 became one of her best friends by their 3rd year. DD built her circle mainly from doing theatre and from her freshman floor.
So in sum, yes it was nice to have a couple people from home to fall back on, but she built her own group pretty quick that ended up including just one from home. Being in theatre helped, so I would recommend joining in some club or group right away.