Roommates at NS: The Unexpected Perks of Shared Living
In Singapore's National Service (NS), you get roommates for two years—guys around your age, sharing the same grind. It's a rite of passage, a built-in crew. But at Network School (NS) by Balajis, the roommate game levels up. You don't just get someone your age; you get people from totally different walks of life. And honestly, it's been one of the coolest parts of the experience.
In V1, I had a roommate 10 years older than me. In V2, I've got one 10 years younger. Two different generations, two different vibes, and a whole lot of perspective I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Living with people who've seen the world through such different lenses—different identities, cultures, and experiences—has been eye-opening. Here's why I think everyone at NS should give the roommate thing a shot.
Why You Should Get a Roommate at NS They're Like a New Family Member There's something about sharing a space that builds trust. You start to feel like you can lean on them—whether it's borrowing a charger, venting about a tough day, or just knowing someone's got your back. Deeper Conversations, Closer Perspectives You don't get the same shallow small talk you'd have with random people at the cafe. With roommates, it's real. You're in the trenches together, so the chats go deeper—life stories, dreams, struggles. Stuff you don't unlock with just anyone.
My First Roommate: The Warmth of an Older Brother
When I first moved in with him, I didn't take the lead. He's older, more experienced—I figured he'd set the tone. For a while, we just coexisted. Then one day, out of the blue, he said, "Hey, we've been roommates for a while, but we haven't grabbed a meal together. Let's go out for dinner."
That gesture hit me. It was simple, but warm. Over dinner, I saw a whole new side of him. He's been through some rough patches—stuff I can't even imagine navigating yet. But he's still kind, gentle, and considerate. He's the kind of guy who makes you feel like people can come out the other side of hardship better, not bitter.
And then there's the everyday stuff. He was always in the room. I'd come back after a long day, and there he was—reading, working, just there. It was reassuring in a way I didn't expect. I've spent chunks of my life living alone—my own room, my own space—and I thought I liked it that way. But having him around showed me it's actually nicer to share life with someone.
My Second Roommate: The Energy of a Little Brother
Then came my new roommate in V2—a total curveball. I didn't realize how young he was at first. He's got this polished vibe—smart, stable, well-put-together. But peel back a layer, and he's still a kid in some ways, full of that naive energy you only have before life throws its punches. He hasn't seen the cycles of ups and downs, the setbacks that harden you. He's a pure soul, untouched by the harshness of the world.
And you know what? I needed that. His positivity rubs off. It's a reminder not to box myself in, to chase small wins without overthinking everything. We were chatting one day, and he casually mentioned he's leaving after April. That hit me—we don't have forever together. So, taking a page from my first roommate, I asked him out for a meal. "Let me treat my lil bro," I said. We ended up grabbing lunch instead, and it was worth it.
Over food, he opened up—family, background, the works. It wasn't the usual surface-level NS cafe chatter. It was real, dear, and left me feeling like I actually knew him. Not just as a roommate, but as a person.
He explained his cultural background and heritage. It was fascinating.
My Current Roommate: The Power of Aligned Wavelengths
Now I'm living with someone my own age—a friend who's been here since V1. We clicked immediately over a hackathon project, and it's been a different kind of magic entirely.
When you share similar interests—finance, coding, strength training—the synergy is immediate. We've walked parallel paths: both of us have ridden the roller coaster of making substantial gains through trading and investments, experiencing significant losses, and climbing back up. There's an unspoken understanding that comes from sharing similar battle scars.
Our daily routine has become beautifully synchronized:
The Iron Brotherhood: We hit the gym together every single day. He pushes me to lift heavier (he's got me beat on strength), while I edge him out slightly on running stamina—for now. It's the perfect competitive balance that drives us both forward.
The Work-Life Integration: From morning coffee runs to late-night coding sessions in the co-working space, we move as a unit while working on our individual projects. He shares trading insights; I push him to execute on his business ideas. It's accountability meets friendship.
The Health Influence: His discipline around nutrition has been transformative for me. When I reach for junk food, his subtle head shake is all the reminder I need. It's not judgment—it's the kind of honest feedback only a close friend can give. I know if I don't keep up, he'll out-lift and out-run me soon enough.
What makes this different from my previous roommate experiences is the depth of shared activities—from cooking meals together to TCM massage sessions, from robotics club projects to investment discussions. It's less about learning from generational differences and more about iron sharpening iron through shared pursuits.
The Takeaway
Each roommate experience at NS has taught me something unique. The older roommate showed me wisdom and resilience. The younger one reminded me of unbridled optimism. And now, with someone on the same wavelength, I'm learning the power of peer accountability and the momentum that comes from moving in sync with someone who truly gets your journey.
Living with these different roommates has taught me something: roommates at NS aren't just random people you split a room with. They're a chance to see life through someone else's eyes—whether it's an older guy who's weathered storms or a younger one still figuring it out. It's not always perfect, but it's always worth it. So if you're on the fence about getting a roommate here, take the leap. You might just end up with a new family member—or at least a good story.