College Survival Kit ~ Issue 6
Crosby Scholars Senior Program
Making the Most of Dorm Life
Tips for Successful Dorm Living:
- Adopt humility - you're all the new kids in the dorm, it won't help you to act like the "top dog" or think that you know better than everyone else.
- Be generous - if someone needs help, lend a hand, you'll be in this living community for the whole school year and you will want people to help you out when you need it.
- Participate in group activities - this is a great way to get to know your room mate and hall neighbors.
- Organize a study group - study with people in your dorm who are taking the same classes, studying alone can be very isolating and it's a great way to socialize while learning.
- Do laundry - this is a weekly task, even if you didn't do your laundry at home. Not only will your mother be proud of you, but your roommate will thank you. You can make it a roommate activity.
- Stay organized - dorms are usually smaller than your bedroom at home and with at least two people living in the same room, you need to stay organized and don't let it get cluttered.
- Put yourself out there -- you never know who you'll meet or what neat activity you'll get involved in if you don't give people and opportunities a try.
- Get to know the Residential Assistant (RA) - the RA on your floor will be a resource and ally, get to know them, they're students too.
- Prepare for all kinds of personalities - it's important to keep an open mind when you meet people, everyone has a different personality.
- Expect noise - dorms are large and house LOTS of people, expect noise at any time.
Make it Your Own!
You're going to be living in this dorm for 8 months, so create a comfortable space. Here are a few ways to make the most of a small space:
- Make a space that's inviting to others.
- Pick a couple colors and stick to them.
- Coordinate with your roommate.
- Seek storage in unlikely places.
- Go vertical to make your room feel bigger.
- Give extra thought to decorating your desk/work space. It shouldn't be a catch-all for your junk.
- Plan ahead when packing, don't take unnecessary items.
10 Places to Shop for Dorm Decor
- Urban Outfitters
- ModCloth
- Amazon
- Dormify
- Walmart
- Target
- Pbteen
- Anthropology
- Home Goods
- The Container Store
Sources
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertfarrington/2014/10/09/how-to-make-the-most-of-college-dorm-life/#2fb755b71d3e
http://www.chegg.com/play/student-life/dorm-life/survival-tips-for-life-in-a-college-dorm/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-mcholm/dorm-room-design_b_5697857.html
https://www.society19.com/top-10-places-to-shop-for-dorm-decor/
Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Email: seniorprogram@crosbyscholars.org
Website: crosbyscholars.org
Location: 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
Phone: 336-725-5371
Facebook: facebook.com/CrosbyScholars
Twitter: @CrosbySr2017