You have completed all the necessary steps to start at your university but now its time to get prepared for moving out. For many of you, it is only about 45 days before the start of your college career. Parents have been trying to teach you all the life lessons they can possibly think of before you leave. I bet you are also stressing out on what to bring, what you'll actually need, and especially on how many outfits you'll need. Here is all the tips and tricks I've learned from living in a dorm for a year.
TOP 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO LEARN
1. Laundry
You would be surprised how many times I was asked how to load laundry and laundry detergent into the washers and dryers my first month at school. It is essential because their might not always be someone there to help you. Ruining clothes when half your wardrobe is hours away is not fun.
2. Banking, Checks, Accounts, Debit Cards, Online, Access in the New Town/City
You are going to need money even if you think everything is already paid for. College has a lot of unexpected costs that pop up after classes start. You also may not enjoy the cafeteria as much as you hoped... plan on having to buy groceries. Being able to access funds in case of a emergency is very important.
3. Cleaning
You need to able to clean a bathroom, a major spill on the floor, that hot coco you dumped on your comforter, nail polish off the arm chair, and a number of other possible accidents. It is important to understand basic principles of cleaning for your safety and health but also to keep both you and your roommate happy.
4. Basic Cooking
You'll want to know how to cook basic things when your hungry. If its late in the evening and you don't know how to make pizza rolls or something of that nature you'll wish you did.
5. How to Send A Proper Email
This will be a live saver in a variety of areas. Communication between professors, campus resources, offices, employers, and other students will be mostly email based. Professors and adults a like will be much more likely to help you if you have proper email etiquette. It is much easier to shoot someone an email then hunting them down during their office hours which may or may not fit your class/work schedule.
TOP 5 THINGS YOU NEED BUT HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT YET
1. Power Strips
This is one of the most important things you will bring with you to college. The lack of outlets can be super frustrating. However, with handy powerstrips you can charge your phone, have a light, use your laptop, and maybe even microwave something. The important part is that you will have to share outlets with your roommate which can be troublesome. Also reaching your phone charger up to your loft bed or your laptop charger to watch Netflix will be god send.
2. Command Strips
You will be wishing you had these the second you realize you need to hang up that calendar above your desk, want to decorate your door, or even add a mirror to your wall. Strips and hooks are perfect and that won't leave any damage when you take them down.
3. Cleaning Supplies
What are you doing to do if you spill something? Need to wipe something down? Clean out your fridge after that take out ended up staying in there for a month? When the bathroom gets dirty? Think Clorox wipes, glass cleaner, and a multi purpose cleaner. These will save you more times then you have ever expected. Don't forget dish liquid! You have to clean that coffee mug and bowl with something.
4. Plastic Silverware, Paper Plates, Solo Cups
Although, this seems like a given you'll thank me later.
5. Ziploc bags/ Freezer bags
The most handy thing you'll bring with you. Perfect for everything from left overs to keeping all of your pencils together in one place. Even a safety measure to keep your stuff try on rainy day.
TOP 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Emergency Contact Information
Make sure to have all the phone numbers of campus police, escorts, local police, fire department, roommates & their families numbers, tow trucks, taxi services ect. You never know when an emergency can occur or when you will feel unsafe and need help.
2. Not everyone you meet is going to be your friend including your roommate.
Don't let meeting new people and not automatically having a new best friend bother you. There is a good chance that your new roommate and you won't be great friends. That's okay you can still live together and be happy.
3. Ground rules for your dorm room.
Established ground rules that are at least loosely enforced will prevent later conflicts. As questions and be honest on what you want in your living space. Being messy and lying that your clean isn't going to help anyone. Including who you bring over when and what time you need to go to bed to function in class are all issues that need to be discussed.
4. Know everything about your major & wait to buy your books
Don't show up to college without knowing what you need to do. Knowing your degree plan, how you want to conqure and when during your 4 years, and understanding the grades you need to make will make a huge difference. Waiting till you talk to the professor before buying your books will also save you tons of money.
5. Entertainment and fun doesn't just fall at your feet.
You have to make the decision to not be bored and to fill your days off with fun. You have to find fun things to do. Make plan, figure out things you want to do during the school year and work towards accomplishing them.
