The Best Dorm-Based Christmas Presents:

We all have friends and family that can’t seem to earn their zzzz every night. A lack of sleep is a drain during the entire next day. I plan on getting my family some Memory Foam Pillows for this Christmas. These high quality sleeping products cradle your neck and head to offer support where it is needed.

Too many comforters don’t offer the adequate warmth needed for those freezing winters. If anyone including myself had the choice of being warm and cozy or shivering cold, I sure wouldn’t choose the cold.  There are many different Twin XL comforters offered from DormCo that suit this purpose. However, with my user bias, I am compelled to praise the warmth of the College Plush Comforter lineup. These are true twin XL and ultra-soft plush bedding necessities.

When you decide to apply stickers or tape to your walls, you risk the paint peeling of anytime you want to remodel. With Peel N Stick dorm décor, your walls are safe. Peel n’ stick firmly adheres to any wall/wood/ceiling/whiteboard and is easily removed. Because this unique type of décor doesn’t damage walls, you can reuse and reposition this décor whenever you please. I have decided to purchase The Americas for my sister and one of the many amazing Window Peel N Stick offerings for my grandmother.

Some dorm rooms just stink. Whether it’s the clothes, shoes or caused by a big ? that we’ll never understand, college students definitely need products to eliminate  these musky smells. The dorm room spray lineup offered includes some Exotic Scents like Cedar, Red Apple, Bamboo & Tiger Lily and even Hibiscus.

Sometimes there is Conflict in Paradise – Handling Dorm Situations

The time you spend with your roommate(s) will almost always be a time of learning through small growing pains. While the majority of students have positive experiences, there is sometimes the occasion of situations that do not work out. This is most commonly attributed to a lack of communication between the roommates. Opening the lines of communication and expectations early on really does help to avoid problems further down. 

Set up Schedule – Often you and your roommate can come to an agreement about your individual habits. Doing so is pro-active and helps to maintain the harmony. This can be study times, cleaning times or even quiet hours without music. Set up some time for your roommates to bond outside of school.

Loud Noise/Music - Residence halls are designed primarily to aid students in developing a positive study environment. They realize that socializing is important to your development but studying still takes precedence and your Resident Director will surely have established dedicated quiet hours (commonly 10pm – 10am).

If your roommates loud behaviors are stifling your classwork, let them know so. Sometimes they believe you either don’t care or like music at that level. If either your roommate or yourself have the option of using headphones or closing a door, doing either will help to make that calm study area.

Dishes/Laundry - The residence hall has an obligation to ensure that all students live in a clean and sanitary environment. While dorming, I have personally seen how 3 college guys with no cleaning experience can really transform a dorm room in days for the worse.

Setting schedules for taking out laundry/trash and a paper plate rule are ideal ways to prevent these situations from literally piling up. Another pro-active way is to encourage your dorm mates to clean at the same time, this not only makes it more fun, but dorms are generally cleaner when all roommates work together.

Role of your Resident Assistant (R.A.) - Your R.A. shouldn’t be who you run to at every problem. You are dorming as an adult and should take reasonable steps to solve the situation. Doing so can help earn you respect from your roommate. Just imagine if your roommate had a problem, did not discuss it with you and immediately got the R.A. involved, exactly. Use your R.A. as a last source arbitrator and not a first choice problem solver.

So You Made It Through Your 1st Week at College

So you made it through your 1^st week at College. That is a milestone for every student and signals the beginning of your independence and new life. But just as quickly as you left, your parents may be coming to see you after a week or two. They want to see how you’ve grown and that you’re enjoying college. You aspire to show them that.

Make the right impression and invite them into a clean dorm room. Nothing is more of a good surprise than to see your discipline and adjustment to College. Showing your parents a dirty room, especially one that’s worse that they are expected to seeing may give them the wrong impression. No, your room does not have to be immaculately clean. Rounding up dirty clothing and de-cluttering your study area sends the signal that you are serious about college. 

Almost always, your parents will want to go out for dinner/lunch. College students are broke and your parents don’t expect you to pay. But when you do head out, open the door for them. Tell them appropriate 1^st week funny stories about how you showed up to an algebra lecture instead of calculus and didn’t realize until 10 minutes into class. Tell them if you enjoy class. Let them know what you are thinking. Parents that see their children opening up about their experiences, both positive and negative see this as maturity.

Keep an open conversation. You may soon find your parents spilling their college experiences that are both hilarious and a great learning experience. They will see you as an adult and will start treating you as an independent. (They will however keep those cuddly hugs and embarrassing nicknames).

Best Until Next Time - Dylan

Getting the most ZzZzZz’s

If you want to be successful at college, as a student you will require commitment, perseverance and a quality night’s sleep. Historically, student dorming had to live with the sub-par living quarters given to them. Nowadays, college students have a plethora of viable ways to add comfort and style without taking out another student loan.

Blackout Curtains do exactly as their name suggests and cast a lightless environment into your dorm room. This helps to create the perfect atmosphere for tranquil sleep. (If you fell like taking a siesta after reading this, you are not alone). But not everyone’s personal style meshes well with black. DormCo heard this and now offers you a grand variety of colors such as red, gold, chocolate and blue.

Memory Foam products are a relatively new invention that has benefitted college students so much. Memory foam cradles your body and relieves uncomfortable pressure points. While most popular are mattress pads, I must comment on the comfort provided by memory foam pillows as well. Despite all the benefits provided by this heavenly foam and blackout curtains, the quality of your bedding sheets and Twin XL comforter are equally as important

Having a properly fit Twin XL Comforter goes a long way to having a quality night’s sleep. Plush Microfiber, Jersey Knit 100% Cotton and Microfiber Reversible Comforters are all examples of dorm bedding options that are a great value for college bedding. Extra Long Twin comforters give you that extra length to assure your feet aren’t left uncovered. 

While not the only ingredient in collegiate success, having a calm and comfortable to recharge your batteries will help set the stage. Quality bedding accessories are the key to having a good night’s sleep.

Until Then, Signing Off - Dylan

Morning Bird or Night Owl?

The old college curriculum used to entail classes from 8-3, Monday to Friday. Classes would run often on schedules like Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8-9 or 10-11. The alternate offering, Tuesday and Thursdays would be scheduled 10-11:30. These small chunks of time are scheduled a few times per week, giving you great frequency and homework in smaller chunks.

As Universities attempt to attract lifetime learners of all ages, they are increasingly offering classes outside of this once rigid time frame. Night classes are becoming the norm for working individuals and students unable to enroll given time restrictions. These classes would be offered once per week for several hours often at times like 5:30-8:30 or 6:00-9:00.

Night classes offer the obvious benefit of being out of the way. Work commitments and class requirements may be scheduled during the day while these extra studies can be planned for the evening. Students looking to take advantage of niche or advanced classes find nocturnal classes advantageous. In addition for some classes, the offering may only be at 1 time per semester. This may make evening class your only option.

Night Classes are however not without their disadvantages. For college students, night time is when a majority of the socialization occurs. That 6-9 class might cut into the time that your friends head out. Consistently daydreaming about the fun your friends are having is neither beneficial for you or your classmates. Simply put, your head must be in the right place if night classes are going to work.

So are you a Moring Bird or Nigh Owl?

Commuter Preparedness: The value of Roadside Emergency and Car Comfort Kits

Winter is approaching. Almost every college student can feel it. Whether it is the brisk morning dew or falling leaves, the undeniable cold and eventual snow are approaching. For students that commute, this presents additional challenges. To prepare for the unexpected, I want you to prepare 2 different kits in your car. The 1^st is your Roadside Emergency Kit and the 2^nd is your Car Comfort Kit.

The Roadside kit has everything you need in the chance of an emergency; jumper cables, screwdrivers, clamps, etc. You will find these kits at any hardware store and they’re considered a car owners necessity. But beyond this, having extra lights for your Brake and Turning signals is a no brainer. In older cars these can be changed very quickly.

The 2^nd kit is designed for you. In my trunk, I keep a laundry sack with a few key items. The kit should have some extra non-perishable food. I prefer canned soup with a pull off tab and some paper plates/silverware. If you forgot to bring your lunch to work this comes in handy. There are also many different types of microwavable noodles that only require water.

This leads me to storing an extra water bottle. If temperatures fall below freezing, this definitely should be brought inside at night. Lastly snacks are another great idea. If you spontaneously decide to go to the movies, bring in a snack or two. Get hungry one day, grab a snickers. (lol). Some additional items you could include are a warm blanket, gloves and a hat. Surplus stores sell very warm wool blankets for cheap, so take advantage of that.

Leave me a comment if you have or can think of additional items to keep.

-Dylan

Mama's Dorm Shopping Advice: Start Early and Often

I decided to ask my mother her advice for incoming College Freshmen and their parents. She and I went through this a few years ago, so the memory is still fresh in her mind. “Start shopping early and do it often. All the items you need and think are cool may not be around in a few more weeks” was what she told me.

Yep. It is the truth, now to her point.

Buying early guarantees that you have what you’ll need to succeed. Stores usually offer a favorable return policy, so even if you decide that item does not suit your particular tastes, you are able to return or exchange for a different color.

Before you leave, you can coordinate décor and even pack items within each other. A classic of move in day is the wheel-bound dorm room trunk. What better way to literally “haul” your heaviest items in style.  

Shopping often is like watching the news. It is useful because it keeps you current. Stores may introduce new items or showcase existing items every week. Plus, major chains offer a few dorm essentials on sale every week. This is a great way to stock up on what you need and even help a college bound friend or two.

Memory Foam Pillows are Awesome!

               Shout it from the rooftop; I was extremely impressed with the Memory Foam pillow I bought recently. I used to have a cheap stuffed pillow that until now I thought was comfortable. But I decided to be a little risqué and buy a memory foam pillow. I have always been impressed by the quality memory foam bed toppers and thought a pillow would be the same. Wow, I was 113% right.
 

                A memory foam pillow will actually form to your hand print when you push down on it. This cradles you head and neck. In addition, this particular pillow has special wave contouring which really made it an excellent value. They only cost a few more dollars than a standard pillow and you absolutely have to try one to realize their comfort. Here is a link to see the exact pillow.

http://www.dormco.com/Visco_Contour_Memory_Foam_Pillow_No_Cover_p/ab1-2-3-viscon.htm

Seriously for the small price, upgrading your pillow will drastically improve your quality of sleep. Even if memory foam isn’t your thing, I recommend buying a cloud like 300TC or 500TC pillow. These are great pillows and provide neck support that will not leave you stiff. Maybe you will get one of each?

Rock, Paper, Scissors - Fall, Spring & Summer

Just like rock paper scissors, your collegiate life has three different cycles. There is a fall semester, a spring semester and that enormous summer break. (We won’t talk about that winter recess because it is not as awesome as summer). Now that summer has passed, you must reorient yourself to studying, socializing and living in a dorm.  Let’s make sure that your first week lands smoothly. To do so, we are going to focus on one aspect, rocking the fall semester.

Try not to blow off the first few weeks of school. Most students mistakenly relax those first few most critical weeks. Then they are stuck playing catch up until the end of semester. By actually using those first few weeks productively, you will be at a great advantage during those later and busier weeks. This kind of reiterates that the pace you set now will continue into the semester.

More to come later this week! =)

DormCo's Grand Giveaway - $1,000

Welcome back everyone.

To keep your school year moving with excitement, DormCo has partnered up with Fearless Records to give one lucky winner the sweetest dorm room renovation ever. We know students are strapped for cash. (especially college students) DormCo has brought the best solution. How about giving away $1,000 to a college student (could be you) for a complete dorm room renovation? Now you can make that dorm room you’ve dreamt about during study hall a reality.

With this $, you could spend it on a mini-futon, TV stand, top of the line memory foam and sheets with such a high thread count it would make a king jealous. (With plenty of $ left to spare)

Entering is simple, click on the link below and you’ll see the many options available to you. Let start this year of right. Help me get you the dorm room you’ve always wanted.

http://dormroomgiveaway.fearlessrecords.com/

We're Back!

Hey everyone, hope you enjoyed your summer. As you may have noticed, we have been busy getting making sure all your college gear arrives in time and have not posted our ordinary amount. That is all going to change this Fall. We will be bringing to you some sweet new topics and advice to make it through the school year.

Until my next new awesome blog,
Dylan

Top 3 Things To Do Before Leaving for College

There are many things that you’re going to want to remember to do before heading off to college in the fall, so just consider this your Pre-College Bucket List.

#1 – Go visit your old high school.

No, not to visit the teachers that you already miss after being a high school graduate for all of 2 months. But to walk through the halls of that school and say “Sayonara suckers!” to all the poor, unfortunate students that still have to suffer through high school for multiple more years.

#2 – Shower your siblings with gifts.
Face it: as much as you say you won’t miss them, you will. Will they miss you? Not so much. Little siblings are like scavengers just waiting to poach your room for their own once you head off to school. Make sure you bribe them excessively so you lessen your chances of coming home for the Holidays to find that you’ve suddenly been “moved” to a smaller room.

#3 – Skip your orientation.

Who cares about getting acquainted with your new school when you could be sleeping all day and avoiding growing up? Don’t go to your school’s orientation – who even needs school? Now that I mention it, if you’re reading this you should probably quit while you’re ahead, withdraw from school, and join a traveling circus.

Clearly these aren’t really the most important things below you leave for college…or are they? Either way, be sure to enjoy your last few weeks before embarking on the new journey that is college. Time will fly, and before you know it you will be on campus!

Ways to Stay Fit While Living on Campus

The infamous “Freshman 15” is not an enigma; it is alive and well at college campuses everywhere each year. No one, female or male, looks forward to gaining such a significant amount of weight in the span of one school year. Luckily, there are many ways that you can combat the Freshman 15 and maintain your ideal weight while in college.

#1: Walk, walk, walk! For almost all small to medium sized colleges and universities, it is very feasible (if not expected) to walk to all your classes. If you’re a freshman, there is almost a 100% chance that you’re going to be living on campus, so walking to classes shouldn’t be a big deal. Rather than drive your car the short distance to where your class is on campus, walk! Kickstart your day with some casual exercise by going out of your way to burn a few calories. Now, for people who go to school at huge universities, this is not as feasible of an option when you may have to catch a bus outside of your residence hall to go to class. While that might be unavoidable, you can still ditch the bus between classes and walk everywhere until it’s time to come back across campus up to your dorm at the end of the day.

#2: Portion control! Some students go into culture shock when they arrive at campus and can essentially have all-you-can-eat food in the dining hall at virtually any time of day. Remember: portion control! Just because your mom isn’t there to tell you that you shouldn’t eat thirds doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t remember yourself. Ditch all the extra servings and make high-calorie and high-fat foods like ice cream, cakes, and fried options for special days like weekends or after receiving a great grade on an exam or paper. That way, your calorie splurges are more of a rarity and reward as opposed to a not-so-good norm.

#3: Treat going to the gym as if it’s a class! By that, no, I didn’t mean make gym workouts boring or dull. Instead, I mean that you should treat the gym with the same level of importance and commitment that you (hopefully) treat your schoolwork with. If you tell yourself that you have to go to the gym between Chemistry and Accounting, you will! And you’ll feel a lot better once you do.

It can be easy to gain weight when you’re in college. You have a lot of stressors, both negative and positive, which can cause you to indulge in poor eating habits. In addition, being homesick can evoke the same (over-eating, under-exercising) response from some college students. However, no matter how funny the “Freshman 15” jokes may be, making sure that you treat your body as well as you always have despite the craziness of acclimating yourself to college is of the utmost of importance.

What to do when a college course becomes too hard!

Sometimes the adjustment from a high school workload to a college workload can be tough. While your initial reaction to a course that is a little too challenging may be to drop the class, there are three vital resources to seek out before making that drastic decision and putting yourself behind on credits.

Seek out the help of a classmate: There is sure to be a classmate or an acquaintance to someone in your circle of friends that excels at the very coursework you are struggling with. Finding a peer to tutor you can be a great resource. It typically is not as intimidating to learn form someone one-on-one that is the same age as you, and usually they’re flexible about tutoring. While with a Teacher’s Assistant or Professor you may have to schedule tutoring times within their requirements, a fellow college student is more likely to have an open window of tutoring options. For example, you can get tutored at 10pm if that's when you work best! While some students may charge a nominal tutoring fee, many students will tutor you in exchange for some of their favorite take-out or even for free sometimes! After all, the best way to learn is by teaching someone else, so they're already gaining something by tutoring you!

Talk to your TA: If you cannot find a college student to tutor you or simply believe you need more help and attention than a peer can give you, talking to your course’s TA is your next best route. Depending on how large your college or university is, your TA may play a small role in the daily tasks of your course or a very large role in the case where they teach the course almost solely by themselves. Either way, your TA is a valuable source of insight and knowledge about the course and how you can succeed as the semester progresses. Plus, it's great to have a TA on your side. Oftentimes they'll moderate class discussion or different aspects of the course, and it's great to have your TA on your side and not out to get you!

Pipe Up to Your Professor: In some cases, there is nothing left to do but go to your professor after class or during their office hours and let them know that you need help. Your professor will appreciate your humility in approaching them for help and will aid you as best as they can in helping you learn the material to successfully prepare for exams. Knowing that you’re being proactive about their course also gets you some brownie points; although you may not be a star student grade-wise, they know that you are invested in the coursework and passionate about succeeding.

Never wait too long before seeking out help for a tough class. It’s best to start looking for course help as soon as you start to struggle and/or get a mediocre grade. In many cases, you may not need continuous help throughout the semester, but instead help here and there for course topics that don’t "click" right away with you. Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean that the kinds of academic confidants from grade school and high school have abandoned you. On the contrary, they’re waiting for you to seek their help.