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?