Five Things to Bring to University Residence

University or college residence is a great place to start the whole "living on your own" thing, but if you've never lived away from home before, chances are you don't know exactly what you'll need. Most things you can get by without, but there are few essentials to have along for this first foray away from Mommy and Daddy's place.

But before the great and useful list, there is something to bear in mind. A University residence, while interesting, entertaining, and sometimes shocking, has only the basic amenities needed to live. There are no bells and whistles, this is no four-star hotel. While these five things are great to have, there is much, much more that the average student will need to be comfortable.

Thing #1 - Good Sheets

You would think this would be obvious, but not so much. Most residences come with two twin beds packed into them, and if possible, you want to get that room to yourself. Many residences offer that option if you so desire, and it's worth it. If you're stuck with a roommate, such is life, but if not, you can pull those beds together and make a decent-sized place to lay your head.

Either way, alone or paired up, you're going to want a decent set of sheets. Most Rez mattresses come with a flimsy, bleached-within-an-inch-of-it's-life kind of mattress cover, but it is hardly a sheet. Having a properly fitted, comfortable set of sheets will make a world of difference when sleeping in a strange place for the first time. That, and you can be sure there is nothing...unexpected...on them.

Thing #2 - Bring Some Dishes

But...the Rez has a cafeteria, you cry! Why bring dishes? Because there is going to come a time that you get sick of cafeteria food, which is usually over-starched and fatty as can be, and you're going to want some semblance of a regular meal. Most residences now will have at least a microwave on the floor, usually in the common area, and this will allow you to make soup at the very least. Having a dish, plate, cup, and some cutlery, even if they are heavy-duty plastic rather than ceramic, can be very useful on those long nights when your stomach can't take any more butter chicken or when it's 2am and you need to eat something before you pass out into your Chemistry textbook.

Thing #3 - A Small Television Does Wonders

Often a residence floor will have a large-ish television in the common area, which can be a great place for social gatherings, movie marathons and general idiocy. However, there will always come a time when what is going to be watched on the television is in conflict. This may be dealt with by making up a schedule, or simply by martial law, but one way or another, its going to happen, and its going to be annoying.

Having a small television in your own room is great for this. You'll at least be able to pick up the local channels, and some residences offer cable hookups in each room. This way, you can watch what you want when you really want to, and you can also have the TV on as background noise while you study. It is well worth the extra weight in your luggage to have one along.

Thing #4 - A Mini Fridge

A mini or "bar" fridge is a godsend on those nights, as mentioned above, when its 2am, the cafeteria is closed and you're ravenously hungry. As long as you force yourself to store other things in this fridge than beer, it can be a great addition to your Rez life. Put some milk, cheese and fruit in here, and you'll be laughing at the suckers who are paying $1.50 for an apple in the cafeteria. When the school year starts, you're not going to care about having this food in there, but when your health starts to deteriorate in the second or third month in because all you're eating is fries and grilled cheese sandwiches, you'll be glad you have this thing in your room.

Thing #5 - Flip Flops

Two words here, people - communal showers. That's right. The guys or girls wing of a dormitory will often have one bathroom in it with four or so stalls and two or three showers. That means that at least 10 or 15 people are all using the same facilities, which include plastic shower mats and typically hideously-patterned carpet leading up and down the hall from the bathroom.

You do not want to be walking in bare feet on this stuff. Any of it. Not on the carpet, the bathroom floor, or the shower mat. Flip-flops or some other type of waterproof sandal are the way to go here. They can prevent any number of unpleasant diseases, and also alleviate a general feeling of 'ickiness' when walking to, using, and walking back from the shower. Any residence is a hotbed for rampant sickness due to the close quarters, do yourself a favour and at least give your immune system a chance by bringing along flip-flops.

Every Rez experience is going to have its ups and downs, but living in Rez can be a great time that will leave you with many (usually unprintable) memories. Bringing along the above-mentioned items will just make the transition from home to alone smoother, and let you get on with enjoying the madness that is residence life.