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What are some things I should know when living in dorms or on my own?
What are some things that aren’t discussed as much when moving out?
#college-advice
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5 answers
Updated
Ann Marie’s Answer
Hi Ashley,
When my sons were moving into college we made a list of items they would need to bring with them. Most colleges and universities provide checklists for incoming freshman. You will also need funds to maintain you living away - expenses come up. I remember my sons having a questionnaire to fill out prior to being assigned a dorm room and room mate. Colleges try to match you up with someone who is compatible with your lifestyle but that's is no guarantee that all will go well once you are actually living together. It's like any other type of relationship - you need to communicate. College life and living in a dorm is a totally different scenario than what you are used to living with your parents!
When my sons were moving into college we made a list of items they would need to bring with them. Most colleges and universities provide checklists for incoming freshman. You will also need funds to maintain you living away - expenses come up. I remember my sons having a questionnaire to fill out prior to being assigned a dorm room and room mate. Colleges try to match you up with someone who is compatible with your lifestyle but that's is no guarantee that all will go well once you are actually living together. It's like any other type of relationship - you need to communicate. College life and living in a dorm is a totally different scenario than what you are used to living with your parents!
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Ashley,
Great question! I'm not sure where you are at in the process but a few things came to mind for me here.
1. Moving is stressful, having a checklist and a packing list will help organize the chaos of the process.
2. Even with preparation, you still will probably forget things. Remember it's an ongoing process, don't stress about the little things.
3. Once you have roommates, just expect that there will be trying times. Do your best to communicate, hold up your end of the work in your living space, and find some alone time for yourself to recharge.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Ryan
Great question! I'm not sure where you are at in the process but a few things came to mind for me here.
1. Moving is stressful, having a checklist and a packing list will help organize the chaos of the process.
2. Even with preparation, you still will probably forget things. Remember it's an ongoing process, don't stress about the little things.
3. Once you have roommates, just expect that there will be trying times. Do your best to communicate, hold up your end of the work in your living space, and find some alone time for yourself to recharge.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Ryan
Updated
Sanjana "Sonny"’s Answer
You can definitely find a ton of checklists online that you can compile and customize until you feel you have everything you need. From my own experience, you don't need to bring your whole closet at once – you can make trips over thanksgiving and winter break to shuffle your wardrobe. You will always need more snacks, socks, and cleaning products than you think, so pack accordingly. Bring room decor but not so much that it makes your tiny dorm seem overly cluttered. Good luck!
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Set boundaries if you are living with others and set a schedule no matter what
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Hi, Ashley,
College is a tremendous opportunity to meet new people and try new things. With that said, the number of opportunities to do so is pretty overwhelming. I think a big part of finding a good balance between making time for your social life while also excelling in your schoolwork is to get into a good routine. Get the amount of sleep you need each night, make time to eat healthy meals, and build time in your schedule for homework and studying. Pursue extracurricular activities that interest you. Doing so is naturally going to introduce you to people with similar interests and values.
As with so many things in life, finding balance is key. Focusing all of your attention on either schoolwork or your social life will leave you unhappy - you'll either be miserable since you spend all of your time studying or you'll be disappointed in your academic performance. Keep in mind that you are there for an education but you will never have a social opportunity like college again in your life. Those are the only four years where you are surrounded by thousands of people who are within a few years of your age and all trying to earn degrees. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Get involved. There will be some ups and downs during your four years of school but always have the courage to try again after the tough days.
As far as more pragmatic advice for moving out and managing money goes, there are a lot of helpful lists and blogs you can find on the internet. I linked two below as examples. I'd encourage you to do some research to see what suits your personality and situation best.
I hope this helps - good luck!
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-a-decision/off-to-college-checklist
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimwang/2019/10/09/6-crucial-money-tips-for-college-students/?sh=451833343aaf
College is a tremendous opportunity to meet new people and try new things. With that said, the number of opportunities to do so is pretty overwhelming. I think a big part of finding a good balance between making time for your social life while also excelling in your schoolwork is to get into a good routine. Get the amount of sleep you need each night, make time to eat healthy meals, and build time in your schedule for homework and studying. Pursue extracurricular activities that interest you. Doing so is naturally going to introduce you to people with similar interests and values.
As with so many things in life, finding balance is key. Focusing all of your attention on either schoolwork or your social life will leave you unhappy - you'll either be miserable since you spend all of your time studying or you'll be disappointed in your academic performance. Keep in mind that you are there for an education but you will never have a social opportunity like college again in your life. Those are the only four years where you are surrounded by thousands of people who are within a few years of your age and all trying to earn degrees. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Get involved. There will be some ups and downs during your four years of school but always have the courage to try again after the tough days.
As far as more pragmatic advice for moving out and managing money goes, there are a lot of helpful lists and blogs you can find on the internet. I linked two below as examples. I'd encourage you to do some research to see what suits your personality and situation best.
I hope this helps - good luck!
Jacob recommends the following next steps: