Heading off to college is one of the most exhilarating and daunting experiences of your entire life. But, the excitement of finally beginning your next stage is sometimes overwhelming. I know that the summer before my freshman year I could only think about college: what is was going to be like, what I was going to learn and see, and what I needed to buy to prepare for it. Now that I'm heading in to my senior year I feel that I know a thing or two, so I'm here to give you the real scoop of what I learned during my time in the dorm — and what you need to know.
1. Buy a full sized comforter.
Every single college packing list will tell you to get a twin or a twin XL size bed set because that is the size of the bed. Do purchase that size sheet set. Do not purchase that size comforter. First of all you will most likely never again have a twin size bed, so you're pretty much wasting your money. Secondly having the bigger comforter is so much more cozy and can hang down over the side of your bed to cover whatever crap you choose to store down there.
2. Use all of your space wisely.
Take advantage of every single centimeter of your side of the room. I guarantee that you are not used to sharing a room the size of your dorm, so get crafty. Under the bed storage is pretty much a life saver for most on campus students. Buy a pack of sturdy bed risers and you have just given yourself almost six additional square feet to store your stuff.
3. Don't buy the advertised dorm crap.
Walking into a Bed Bath and Beyond anytime in late summer is a trap for incoming freshman, I promise. You do not need the hot pink shelving unit. Of course you will need storage containers and things of the like, but buy stuff that you will use again in the future. I really can't stress this enough.
4. Be the roommate that buys the microwave.
Again with getting the most bang for your buck. It's pretty rare that you will need a mini fridge i the future. On the other hand many apartments do not have microwaves permanently installed, so help future you buy having the same appliance all four years.
5. Eat breakfast in your room.
Believe me, you will not want to get up even a second earlier than you have to for your 8 AM, so keep granola bars or yogurt in your room for the week days. But take advantage of the weekend breakfast buffet at the dining hall because nothing cures a hangover like endless hash browns.
6.
Bring a big blanket to chill on the quad.
Whenever there's a nice day college quads are filled with students. Whether their studying, napping, or simply socializing, they come out in flocks. Keep a big blanket or towel in the bottom of your closet to be the friend that brings everyone together. It's also great to have if you have a hall movie night in the lounge.
7. Don't buy a T.V.
The common area of your dorm will have a T.V. if you have to watch something live. Other than that anything and everything you'll want to watch will be available online (Netflix).
8. Acquire multiple types of lighting.
Christmas lights, lava lamps, black lights, strobe lights, night lights — anything is better than the evil overhead florescent dorm lighting.
9. Only have seasonal clothes in your closet.
Fact: there is no room in dorm closets. Don't bring sweaters when you move in — it's too hot. When you're headed home for break take a bag of summery things and bring back your cold weather gear.
10. Do your laundry.
Learn to adult before you leave the nest — no one wants to smell you before they see you, and you don't want to have to go commando because you '"forgot" to wash clothes for nearly two weeks.
11. Be friendly with your R.A.
This does not mean that you must be friends with them. But if you go to the hall meetings, make your room checks go smoothly, and don't cause any major problems, they may or may not be more inclined to help your intoxicated self to the correct room without reporting you to the school.
