There was an excited bustle as students were moving
into the Eagle Hall of Eastern University. Other Students dressed in red and
white t-shirts were registering the incoming students and allotting them their
rooms. As I stood in a corner surveying the activity, there was a feeling of
independence filled in my heart. It was my very first time staying away from
the comfort of home and this made me both excited as well as anxious. On
entering suite #329, I felt a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. Surveying
the small room with a bunk bed, two desks and drawers, I thought “This is my
new room… This is my new home!”
Like me; every college student, at some point in
life, has gone through the daunting task of adjusting to dorm life. Apart from
many other questions pertaining to social and academic life at school, one of
the major questions faced is, “How do I make a room, a home?” or in simpler
terms, “How do I survive in a Dorm?”
The following tips and fun-facts would help freshman
adjust with college life and settle down in their dorms.
·
First and foremost, consider the cost
attached with actually living in a dorm. Online statistics by The College Board have shown that in
2008-2009, room and board cost an average of $7,748 at public colleges and
$8,989 at private colleges. However, it has also been stated that at private
colleges, 64 percent of full-time students live on campus, 19 percent live in
off-campus housing, and 17 percent live with their parents. Moreover, dorming
can definitely be cheaper as compared to renting your own apartment. You will
not need to pay for furniture, utilities, phone-Internet service, commuting,
and other stuff (not to mention dealing with an annoying land-lord).
·
Read up on the dorm rules regarding the use
of electronic appliances, pets on campus, curfew and visitation rules, cleaning
schedules, rules about alcohol and
tobacco consumption etc. Some college dorms have strict rules against the use of
halogen lamps and candles, the use of tape on walls, the possession of knives
etc. If you are lucky, your dorm might even have provision for “renting space”
in a common refrigerator. Understanding these details help you make sure that
you are not penalized for the violation of any rules. Also, it is only prudent
to know about the generals before getting down to the specifics.
·
Remember – Your RA is NOT your enemy.
Although she might be bossy, nagging and extremely annoying, she is just doing
her job of making sure that you do not get into trouble with higher authorities.
Also, many graduates often recall their RA’s as being their mothers – yelling
at them for the smallest of things and yet being there to care for them when they’re
down with the flu. Also, Resident advisors, house officers, resident directors,
academic advisors, and all administrative offices are there to help you. If you
are unaware of where to go for help, these people are trained to find the
resources you may need.
·
Another thing you ought to consider
learning is the art of laundry. Sadly, laundry
skills are not optional and it is also a good idea to pre-learn how to use detergents,
softeners, brushes and iron boxes. The same goes for bathroom –cleaning. Take a
trip with Mom to the nearest Walmart and have a look at the variety of cleaning
supplies. Trust me; you WILL need stuff such as room fresheners, Clorox and
other such cleaning detergents, vacuum cleaners, dusting cloths, brooms, brushes,
electrical diffusers, sponge cloths, dish-washing soap, napkins and many such
home supplies.
·
Although some schools allow you to
choose whom you would like to room with, others might not offer the same. You
may not be able to control your roommate fate. Since most schools provide
information of roommates a little earlier than move-in day, it is a good idea to
connect with your roommate earlier via Facebook or email. This should help you
break the ice. If you run into any tension with your roommate, don’t worry
about it - Roommate tension is normal. With time you will work out your
differences and appreciate each other for his/her individuality. Also remember,
dorm romances are a big no-no. It would suck big time if you had to see his or
her face every day after the break-up. On the flip side, dorm life lends itself
to socialization. Despite high noise levels which could sometimes make it almost
impossible to study, dorming provides ultimate opportunities to make new
friends.
·
Since
your dorm room is your new home, it is a nice idea to bring a few (mind you,
only a FEW) personal belongings like your favorite plush toy/pillow, a few
photos of friends from back home or a set of nice bright-colored curtains to
personalize your room. Soft fairy lights are also a great idea to decorate your
room. These lights work well as night-lamps too! The major ordeal of room
decoration could be made easier by co-coordinating with your roommate. You
could decide on who should bring what beforehand and this should help save
space. It is prudent to note that expensive stuff and dorms DO NOT go
hand-in-hand. You are better off settling for an old couch rather than buying a
new one. Trust me, you will not be happy when you see coffee or fruit punch
stains within a week on your brand new couch.
·
Whether you have the option of unlimited
meals or dinning dollars, try to buy as many meals at the college cafeteria as
possible. Meal Plans are a life-saver! As it is, college is a major adjustment
by itself. You could do without the stress of cooking for yourself. For those
who enjoy cooking, check out if your college/dorm has a community kitchen. It
is a good idea to stock up on basic food-supplies like ready-to-heat- meals,
ramen noodles, canned soups etc. Stuff like dry fruits, granola bars, flavored
yoghurt etc. can also be stocked up by those who want to fight the “Freshman
15” phenomenon.
Despite all these tips, it is
important to understand that no matter how prepared you are, dorming always surprises
you by giving you new experiences which teach you new lessons. So with every
new venture, put your best foot forward and break a leg!
