Tips and Advice - Dorm Life

Planning to live in a dorm for college? I highly recommend it. You can't even begin to realize the sense of freedom until you're out of your parent's house. Not to mention learning to live on your own; no more mom and dad reminding you to get things done! However, there are a few thins to take into consideration. That's where this page come in. Here I have compiled for you...

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIVING IN DORMS

1) I know you really feel like you over packed but trust me, you didn't. As long as you're under two car loads, you're find (mind came to one and a half). Everyone else packed just as much as you did!

2) Invest in some bed risers. With as limited storage space as you have, these things are invaluable. I keep my laundry basket, extra sheets, cleaning supplies, and a trunk of miscellaneous stuff under my bed. And there's still room for more! Sure you have to jump just to get into bed, but at least it'll keep the Freshman 15 at bay.

3) Use the stairs to get to your room, avoid the elevator. This is especially useful if you don't have much time to go to the gym. I live on the fifth floor, just running up and down that flight ever day is a work out.

4) So if you're dorming, chances are your parents brought you down. And if your parents are anything like mine, they're both creating a much bigger deal about thins than necessary. My advice: Just let them. Let your mom help you unpack your things and take pictures or whatever else she may want. They will both be out of your hair soon and (believe it or not!) you will miss them. So endure this last bit of parental overload. You can always reorganize your stuff once they're gone.

5) Bring posters and wall decor!! I cannot emphasize this enough. Your dorm is literally a prison cell without them. It's bland and quite dreary. So personalize! Hang up your favorite band or movie, bring pictures of friends and family, do whatever it takes to spice things up. It'll make you feel much better coming back after classes for the night.

6) Get to know your roommate. You're going to be living with this person for a year, so you might as well get used to them. Find some common interests, go get lunch together, anything to make it so you don't seem like complete strangers the next time you see each other. Who knows, you might end up really good friends.

7) Take note of where your floor's RA is. You'll need them if you ever get locked out of your room, which I assure you, you will....

8) ) Leave your dorm room door open. Depending on where you are in the hall nobody may even stop in, but there's always a chance.

9) If you're feeling really friendly, get a white board for your door. Throw some questions up throughout the week. You'll have a good time laughing at what people write on there.

10) Keep a shopping list your first week in school because, I promise you, you forgot literally everything.

11) Unpack your things the first day, it'll be a load off your shoulders for the rest of the week.

12) If you get a choice between which side of the room to take, choose farthest from the door. Especially if your roommate is a night owl.

13) Bring flip flops to the showers. Wear flip flops in the showers. It's not weird. It's sanitary.

14) Also, don't forget a towel when going to the showers. Don't make that mistake.

15) Be cautious hanging your clothes over the shower door. You can only hear so many stories about things being stolen as a joke before you start to get paranoid...

16) Get to know your hall mates. You're going to end up seeing them a lot.

17) Do your mother proud and actually make your bed. It looks nice if people come over.

18) If there is a bathroom for your gender on your floor of the dorm LITERALLY CHERISH IT. I have to go either up a floor or down a floor to get to a bathroom and it sucks.

19) Learn how to do laundry before coming here. The machines won't be exactly the same, but at least you'll have a rough idea of what to do.