Tips for Your First Year in the Dorms

You've applied, you got accepted, you packed, and now you're at the dorm. You've got your food, your clothes, and your tv and game system. You're set! But hold on, are you really? Here are some tips for surviving that first year in the college dormitory.

Bag all of your food in Ziploc bags. Ants will find it if you don't. Somehow they always do. One crumb on your otherwise spotless floor will invite a horde of ants. Don't risk it!

Get shower shoes. How many people are using the same shower you're using? Most likely, too many. Wear shower shoes to prevent athlete's foot and all sorts of foot fungi.

Change your sheets every other week. Some people forget to do this and let me tell you, not changing your sheets can give your room a funky smell. So to avoid crinkled noses when your friends walk into your room…. Change the sheets.

Find the gym on campus. Most, if not all colleges have a gym on campus. Find it, and frequent it. The freshman fifteen is alive and well. Thriving, in fact. You don't want to go home for your first break and hear, "Oh! You look so…. Healthy!"

Do your laundryonce a week. That is about the amount of time you go before it starts to develop a life of it's own. Laundry rooms in dorms can be cutthroat. I've found the best time to do laundry to be between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Nobody's awake and you can use all the machines to get your laundry done. Of course this does present the problem of causing a disturbance with your roommate so sort your laundry before hand and have the soap ready to go. Keep a small flashlight nearby so you don't make a giant thud as you fall carrying two loads of laundry, soap, and fabric softener. Within the given time frame you have the option of staying up really late or getting up really early. Good luck with that..

Get a mini-fridge. If allowed, of course. Putting your food in a common fridge is just asking to get it stolen. If your dormitory does not permit mini-fridges then get an opaque food container with a lock on it. (You can get these at the Container Store.) This will deter would be thieves.

Do some shopping. Here is a list of things that first time residents tend to forget when they do their shopping for school.

§ Batteries. AA and AAA. You will end up needing them for some random occasion. Possibly a 9-Volt for your alarm clock (you did bring one right?)

§ Kleenex. That first cold will kill you if you don't have Kleenex. Be sure to pack medicinals as well: cough drops, Nyquil, Tylenol, Advil etc.

§ Light bulbs if you're bringing a lamp. If you're not then no need to worry.

§ A hammer and nails. Once again, a tool you will need for some random occasion.

§ Plates, cups, bowls, and utensils. These can be disposable. You'll need them for when you get tired of the cafeteria food and decide to use some of your own.

I have shared my knowledge. Good luck!