Show Your Style – Count Your Pennies
Your very own dorm room. Your home away from home. How will you go about making it "yours" something that reflects your personal style without breaking the bank?
Because your bed will be the biggest piece of furniture in the room and will be the focal point, plan to spend a bit more on a comforter that shows off your style. When picking a comforter, too, though make certain it's washable and hides the dirt. Speaking of your bed, will you bring your current one from home? Is it feasible to pack it and bring it with you, where will you sleep on holidays when you go home if your bed isn't there? Things to consider when thinking about your college dorm room sleeping space. Maybe you can get a futon from a used furniture store - something to double as a bed and couch.
As dorm rooms are typically not as large as your bedroom at home - and because you might be sharing that space, invest in plastic storage bins to hold clothes, office materials. Plastic storage bins can double as a dresser and be slipped under your bed or stacked in the closet.
You will be doing a lot of studying in your room, so make certain you have a place for your computer, whether you're using a laptop or a PC. If you have a laptop, invest in a laptop desk and you can work while sitting on the bed. If you can't afford a desk, fashion one out of a sturdy piece of wood and place it atop plastic storage containers (the containers can do double duty).
Saving money in some areas is all right but make sure when it comes to lighting your room, you have adequate lighting. Nothing is worse than squinting at the text in your books because the lighting isn't proper. Before you buy a light fixture determine whether you'll be putting it on a desk, or if you'll have lamp that affixes to the wall above your study space.
Remember, too, a place for your toiletries. You may have to use communal bathroom facilities so make certain to have a space set aside for your bathroom essentials and invest in something you can tote your items to and from the shower area.
You will likely be spending a lot of time in your dorm room, whether entertaining friends or studying for exams. Make sure it's a haven but don't go overboard on decorating. Keep in mind, too, that once the school year is over you will need to find a temporary home for your new belongings. Plan ahead.
Marti Ross is an education columnist whose interests include campus life, , financial aid, and programs.
Strategies for Happy College Roommates
Just when you think you're finally on your own, you move into a dorm and are introduced to your new roommate. Ideally, the relationship between the two of you will last a year, so it's up to both of you to keep the lines of communication open and lay down some ground rules from the beginning. Here are some things to consider:
1. How much sleep do you get on most nights? More specifically, do you go to bed late or get up before dawn? If you find that you differ in sleep patterns, decide on a common time for the room activity to die down (or begin in the case of the morning). Remember, common rooms are available elsewhere in the dorm to meet with friends or study. The person who needs the sleep should be able to expect a quiet room.
2. Identify community property. What did you bring to college that you are willing to share and what is strictly hands off? Go over everything: music, movies, office supplies, toiletries, food and even clothes. You'd be surprised what some people thing is okay to share. Clear the air early in the relationship.
3. Set up a house rule for overnight guests. Does your new roommate have a boyfriend across town that needs a place to crash most nights? Would you like your brother to be able to visit one weekend every month? Get it all out there and be honest about what you can and cannot live with.
4. Housecleaning. If you're a neat freak and your roommate thrives in chaos, this could be your biggest obstacle of all. Be honest about your peeves and encourage your roommate to be honest about theirs. Find a common ground and divide things like taking out the trash and vacuuming at the very least.
5. What do you need to help with problem areas? If you both want to use the bathroom at the same time, something as simple as a vanity or make-up mirror on a desk would alleviate some of the bathroom traffic. If closet space is a deal-breaker, consider added a storage bin under each bed. Get creative!
If all else fails, go for moderation. After you've discussed problem areas with each other and given it some time to work, things should go smoothly. If not, don't air your grievances with those around you; take them to your Resident Assistant instead. Conflict solving is part of their job and maybe they can smooth things out for you. If you still don't think you and your roommate can co-exist, go to the housing office at your university and ask for a reassignment for one of you. This is an important time for both of you and you need to be able to focus on other things besides domestic problems. Living with someone outside of the family isn't easy, but it can be fun if it's with the right person.
Jim Kline is a counselor currently working on an in educational administrator.
categories: campus life,college life,dorm life,college,university,advice for students,higher education,education
Living on Campus: A Good Idea?
Your college years are unique in and of themselves, but where you decide to live during this time goes a long way towards defining your experience. For some of you, living on or off campus is a clear-cut decision, while others may not be so clear on where their heart lies. Below are some things for you to consider while trying to decide where to live:
1. What are the price differences? At first glance, it may look as if opting to live off-campus is the less expensive way to go. But don't forget that apartment living (or a house rental) has more costs involved than the monthly rent. You'll have electric, gas and cable bills to pay and a kitchen to stock. And then there's the additional cost of transportation (and parking) to and from your classes every day.
2. How will my mailing address impact my social life? A lot. If you choose to life away from campus, chances are, you'll also be somewhat removed from the spontaneity of the social life in the heart of the university. For some students, that could be a good thing, while others would miss the energy involved in living among other like-minded people. You'll need to ask yourself if you are the type of person who requires privacy and down time. Apartment living would provide more space when it comes to bathrooms and sleeping arrangements, but would likely lack in the social department.
3. Study support: Living on campus definitely has benefits when it comes to studying. Most campus libraries never close, in fact. For students who like to study the night away, there's a safe and quiet place to do so. Living on campus also provides ample opportunities to meet with study groups or attend extra lectures, and so on. If you need to take a bus or drive into the heart of the scholastic activities, bad weather could prevent you from doing so.
4. What do I want from my college experience? To you, could be a necessary time in life to carve out a better future for yourself. Or, you could be in search of four additional years to transition from child to adult. Can you see how these two types of students would differ greatly in their choice of living arrangements? College offers a rare time in life when a student usually lives away from home for the first time. Where you live will have an enormous impact on how those years play out for you.
If after you carefully consider your options you still aren't clear whether you should live in university housing or an off-campus apartment, most college towns offer an alternative. Look for apartments or houses that are located as close to the heart of the university as possible and sign only a one-year lease. Chances are next year you'll be certain which option is best for you.
Bob Rome is a higher education writer and part time university instructor. He has contributed to websites on programs and in education.
How Students Can Survive University Life
In this competitive world, survival is the most important thing. As you know, it is only the fittest that will survive. Survival in any university, in this competitive world, becomes difficult for most of the students. While in their attempt of survival, students face a lot of problems. In the following sections, we will be discussing the top seven magical tips for survival as a student.
1. Maintain a healthy balance - the primary challenge faced by many college and university students will be to maintain a balance between their studies, sport, activities, meals and rest. Most students will miss a meal or two a week as they will be concentrating on something else. If you don't make sure that you have enough balance in your weekly schedule then you will become sluggish in class and tired of doing little things. Make sure you have enough variety in your weekly university activities.
2. Attitude - you should look to maintain a positive attitude when at university. If you don't quite make it when completing a task you should look on it as a learning curve and decide where you need to improve - things can always turn out worse. Look on the positive side and this will reduce the amount of stress that you are under. Also, you should have a positive attitude towards forming new friendships with people as this is always a good experience.
3. Adjust to the culture - each academic institution will have its own unique structure and culture and this will be something that you should pick up on quickly. You will want to integrate with people and the 'way of doing things', so that you know what is expected of you and what you can expect to happen around you.
4. Dealing with personal issues - most of the time things don't go as expected, so it is better to solve any personal issues that arise. You can do the following things: a. Consult your supervisor. b. Consult your doctor. c. Get the issue resolved by sharing it with a friend.
5. Know the system - having knowledge of what the different rules and regulations are in your university is an advantage. Although some of the literature may be boring to read you should be aware of what the GPA requirements are and how these are calculated, the submission procedures for different modules, and the different regulations that govern the campus.
6. Time management - you should make a timetable or schedule to make sure that you manage your time as much as possible. Making sure you have enough time for studying will be important, but making sure you have adequate time for drinking and socializing is a must. Setting yourself goals in the future is a clear indication that you see yourself going somewhere, which will aid to your success.
7. Set goals - this decision is very important and will decide your future. You should have a clear view of your goals and remember you cannot achieve success until you have a specified goal in life. To have a clear view of your goal, ask yourself these questions: a. What is my desired destination in 4 or 5 years time? b. How will I get there? c. Can my present studies take me there? d. What are the other things I need to do? e. What are the obstacles in my way? Asking these questions will help you set a clear path.
Concurring these few tips will mean that your time spent at university or college is going to be special and memorable.
whilst you are at university, Nick suggests that you have your work check buy a company providing , as you will want to ensure a qualified before you hand it in.
categories: student proofreading,surviving university,college life,university,college,campus life,study,academia