Tips for Incoming College Freshmen - Living on Campus

If you're reading this, it means you've finally made it out of high school and are ready to start the next chapter in your life. Congratulations! I want you to take a minute and relish in all of your experiences and accomplishments that have led you to this moment. It's a great feeling, right? No matter the reason you're going to college, good or bad, you want to have a great time and get the most out of your education that you possibly can.

College can be daunting, especially if you're moving away from home and living on your own for the first time. I moved 1,054 miles away from home without seeing my university prior to moving in (thanks, COVID). While it was terrifying, it was also exhilarating knowing I'd be able to find myself and be my own person while working toward creating the best future for myself I possibly can.

For those of you living on campus, you might be wondering what you're getting into. Maybe you're one of the lucky ones and you've already seen the dorms you'll be living in, or maybe you're like me and you're going in blind aside from one Snapchat video where the room was so messy, you couldn't even begin to comprehend what you were working with.

So, let's get started.

COORDINATING WITH YOUR ROOMATE

If you'll be living with a roommate, get in contact with them ASAP. For those of you that are living in your classic style freshman dorm (one small room, two twin beds, two desks, and two microscopic closets), you'll want to coordinate the plans for your room. Who's buying the mini fridge and who's buying the microwave? Are you splitting the cost? Remember, depending on your university, you may never be in this style room again after your freshman year so you'll need to think smart. Don't buy anything expensive. You'll be using these appliances for a year before they sit in storage or you sell them to another incoming freshman. Make sure you make note of these plans after you make them and keep them somewhere safe.

Create some sort of roommate agreement. You were most likely paired up with your roommate based on your preferences of your housing application but, let's be real here, how serious were you on your own application? Maybe you said you were a tidy person because you made a goal to be cleaner now that you're on your own. I'm willing to be your roommate made that same goal. Split the chores around the dorm, even if it's that small freshman dorm. Maybe on Tuesdays and Fridays you take out the trash while your roommate takes it out on Sundays and Wednesdays (depending on how much trash you accumulate).

Create boundaries with your roommate. This goes into the agreement. If you're allowed visitors on campus, how do you feel about it? It's a small room. You're already sharing that space with someone else, you'll want as much time to yourself as you can get. How many people are you guys okay with having over at a time? What times? Days? How long? Work around your studying schedule for this. You're in college for your education after all.

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS

Universities implement something called "quiet hours" so that their students can get a sufficient amount of sleep and study time every night. Your RA is there to help crack down on these rules, but it's better if they're not needed at all. Respect the rules implemented by the university in the residence halls. Not every student has the same schedule.

I worked two jobs, had practice three nights a week, and had my classes my freshman year. Listening to the girl three doors down blare her music past quiet hours and run through the halls with her friends screaming affected my schedule because of the lack of sleep and inability to focus it created. I went to my RA for a solution. Always reach out to your RA if you can't resolve the problem yourself.

If you're living in a freshman dorm, chances are you'll have communal bathrooms. Please please please be extra considerate. Not only will most universities create a system of fines that you (and potentially the entire floor) will be charged if you leave a mess, but it's just disrespectful. Ladies, please don't plaster your hair on the shower walls or leave it in the drain. Don't leave behind old razors or loofahs in the showers. Don't pour your cereal or soup into the sinks. You're not the only one using this bathroom anymore. Remember that.

WARDROBE

This is a big one that'll make your life easier.

You'll probably have that microscopic closet I mentioned with, maybe, three drawers for your pants and intimates. If you're like me and went to school up North, you'll also have winter clothes (well, what I considered winter clothes). Maximize your space.

Not only will you accumulate more clothes in college, you also won't be partying it up and going out as much as you might think. Only bring a few cute outfits to rotate (and to keep room for when you inevitably buy that super cute top and skirt you just can't walk away from).

Pajamas? Pants! You'll be given so many shirts in your first few weeks there, especially if you're on a sports team for your university. These t-shirts are often comfortable enough to sleep in and, I'll be honest, I only wore my university's shirts to bed and for my Zoom work study interview. My sports shirts were only worn to practice and brought with me to tournaments. Sweatpants and free t-shirts are your best friend.

Don't bring any high school spirit clothing. By that, I mean t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, etc. representing your high school unless you have an emotional attachment to it. Leave it at home. You're in a new chapter of your life! You'll get a new emotional support hoodie, I promise.

Shoes. SHOES. You only have so much room. Be conscious of how many pairs of shoes you bring. I wanted to bring every combat boot I owned. I bargained with my mother and settled for three pairs. I think I wore two the entire time I was at school. My Adidas Grand Courts never left my closet. Bring one or two pairs of sneakers, a pair of sandals or Crocs for when you need to slip on and go or make that trip to the bathroom at 2am, winter boots if you're up North, and a cute going-out pair just in case (don't forget the shower shoes too!).

ESSENTIALS

Your university might supply you with a list of essentials to bring with you. I'll give you those and more (just make sure to check your school's student handbook! What's allowed at one university may not be allowed at another).

Dining Items

- Mini-fridge

- Microwave

- Toaster

- Snacks

- Bowls | Plates (1-2 people) (Paper bowls & plates are recommended. You may tell yourself now that you're going to be on top of dishes but let's be honest, you're not).

- Utensils (plastic recommended)

- Reusable water bottle

- Water bottles to keep in your fridge

- Mugs

Room Necessities and Decor

- Sheets (Research to see what size your mattress is. It's most likely a twin or twin XL)

- Mattress cover

- Mattress topper (This will save your back for years to come, I promise you)

- Comforter

-Throw blanket

- Pillows | Pillow cases

- Lamp

- Storage containers (I recommend this ottoman. It doubles as extra storage and a step stool when you loft your bed)

- Pictures | Posters

- 3M Command strips

- Power strips (These will be your best friend! I only had two outlets in my dorm room, each with four plugs)

- Wax warmer (Candles are often prohibited)

- UV Aire Purifier (for those that have allergies, this was a life saver. Most of the freshmen buildings are old and trigger students' allergies easily)

Personal items

- Shampoo | Conditioner

- Body wash

-Shower shoes

-Shower caddy

- Razor

- Brush | comb

- Deodorant

- Toothbrush | Toothpaste | Floss

- Nail clippers | Tweezers (I recommend this kit I got off of Amazon)

- Other hygiene items (cosmetics, hair dryers)

Miscellaneous items

- Umbrella | Rain boots - Small sewing kit - Basic first aid kit - Medicine (pain reliever, anti-nausea, cold medicine, Band-aids, prescriptions) - Flashlight - Alarm clock - Checkbook

Cleaning Supplies

- Laundry basket - Detergent (I recommend Tide Pods, just don't eat them, please) - Medium trash can / Trash Bags - All-purpose cleaner

- Clorox Wipes - Paper towels | Tissues - Small broom & dustpan (Alternative, a small, compact vacuum)

School Supplies

- Book bag

- Textbooks

- Laptop | Computer

- Pencils | Pens

- Highlighters

- Planner (I recommend this one)

- Dry erase calendar (Definitely a life saver when hung up on the wall and kept updated)

- Folders | Binder

- Paper | Notebooks

This was my freshman dorm room. While my university had single-occupancy housing due to COVID, you can see how I still kept the room divided. I had my beds lofted all the way for maximum storage, utilized crates from Wal-Mart, and kept the room tidy and clean throughout the year to maximize my space. (This was when I first moved in and finished decorating my room, and I had a lot more stuff when I left, so be careful with how much you accumulate over the year).

CLOSING

I hope you found this post helpful! I'll do another one with general tips about keeping your studies and priorities straight and organized soon.

Best of luck to all of my incoming freshmen!