Moving into the dorms is a great adventure. You gain freedom and meet some of the greatest people you will gladly call your friends. Yet, you are going to to also forget some things. I am here to give you the advice you need to get through your college year successfully.
1. Get to know your R.A.
Your RA is the closest thing to “parental supervision” that you’ll have in the dorms. RA's are usually upperclassmen that work with the school to oversee a certain set of rooms or floors in a dorm. Just like you, they’re trying to juggle school, work, and friends, so making life any more difficult for them will not make life any easier for you. This is the one person who is in charge of the floor and so if you have a problem, you go to your RA. Also if you get locked out of your dorm, if you are on there good side they might help you out.This is the person who sets up floor meeting and if you don't show up to them there is usually a fee too, so if you can't make it make she to tell or text he/she that you can't make it with a good reason, they wont charge you.
2. Connect with your roommates
Start to get to know who you will room with before entering the dorms. This way you can find out who is bringing what and you get a feel on who you are going to be with for that year. Don't be shy! Plus, this gets rid of the awkwardness that may come since you don't know each other. Exchange cell phone numbers with your roommate(s) when you get to campus, and ask before throwing a party in your room or bringing back friends late at night to work on a group project. You never know, your roommate might have gone to bed early in preparation for a big exam the next day.
3. You will get hungry after everything closes
Trust me, you learn how to use a microwave and a stove top real fast. I lived on mac n cheese and instant mashed potatoes. So I would stock up on snacks and foods for when you get the midnight munchies. One more thought: always leave the cafeteria with a couple of pieces of fruit in your bag. If you have a meal plan, you've paid for them anyway, so you might as well.
4. Get out of the dorm when possible
Get involved because time goes by so fast. Student clubs and activities can help make living on campus a special time, but it's a good idea to also spend time off school grounds. Campus can begin to seem like a bubble, and you might begin to feel claustrophobic. Go into the city and find some cultural and entertainment events that spark your interest. There is so much to do in campus there's the rec center, events all the time, organizations, Greek life, and the list is endless. Make some friends and the only way you can do that is by living your little room5.Always carry your ID card and keys with you
Your ID card is your life, it is where your meal plan and dinning dollars remain and that is how you check into the dorms, as well as check into the tons of events on campus. Plus if you lose it you have to buy a replacement and no one wants to do that. Then your keys you get for your mailbox and dorm room are important because you don't want be locked out.
6. Make a list of what you need
Making a list can help you stay organized and won't forget anything.
7. Give your room some personality
Personalize your room to fit you. Use posters, lights, or pictures otherwise your room will be plain and most likely white walls. So have fun with it, play with colors, let your creative side run loss.The sooner you make your room your own with fun decorations, the more you will enjoy living there.
8. Remember you don't have much space
Dorms are very small. So there is no reason to pack up every little thing you own. Also you might be sharing the space so be considerate of each other.
9. Know the "Freshmen 15" is a myth
This is a complete lie. If you eat normal and use the rec center you will be fine. This is only mostly true to those partying. I highly doubt you'll be lounging in dorm room ordering pizzas every night. Number one, you probably won't have the money and number two, you'll probably end up going to the cafeteria to grab something because a lot of the times someone you know will either want you to meet them there or it's just more convenient. If you're wondering, probably only about 30 percent of the time will you spend in your dorm room, you'll probably be getting enough exercise, but just in case you're doing a lot of studying
10. Be patient
Your first semester may not be the most exciting thing ever but give it time. Second semester it may get better. Things may not start out your way or easy but it will get all sorted out.
