Category Archives: dorm life

dorm life

Making the Dorm Feel Like Home

 

designer dorm roomOne thing that can help with empty nest syndrome when your children move away for college is the knowledge that the environment your kids live in is the best for what they need. That means going with them to check out their choices of dorm, and taking a good look at what’s on offer.

The all-important location

Location is more important than you might think. For a start, is it a safe neighborhood? Teens are very vulnerable when they’re first away from home; and the safer the area, the better. If you don’t know the city or the areas in which the dorm choices are offered, it’s a good idea to spend a day there to check it out, and do a bit of research online to see what the rest of the world is saying about it.

Room size matters

Not all dorms are configured the same. Some are effectively studio flats with one main room for eating, living, and sleeping, while others have communal living areas and kitchens and sometimes shared bedrooms. How much space your child needs will be dependent on what they’re going to use their room for, as well as how many people are going to be housed in that room. Small is cozy, but can be a little too cozy; bearing in mind that no one really knows each other at the start of the semester.

Convenient bathrooms are necessary

Not all dorms have en suite bathrooms. In fact, in some cases, the bathroom may be shared with other students in the dorm. Not an easy prospect, and for that reason alone, any dorm with a bathroom shared across more than two students should probably be either abandoned, or at the very least, pushed down the list. Other people’s personal habits can be a little too much to take in addition to the myriad new pressures that meet a student when they first move away from home.                                                                                            

Room furnishing

It might sound a bit picky, but you can tell a lot about a place if you look at the way in which it’s furnished. What kind of carpet is it? What’s on the windows? If your child is sensitive and allergic to dust and other things that can be found in the room, it’s as well to keep an eye out for a place that has shutters on the windows instead of blinds or curtains. They’re easier to keep clean for a start, and a set of sleek and stylish shutters can really modernize a place, keeping it a positive, pleasant place to live in, even when your kids are feeling homesick. Shutters also let in a lot of light during the day, either thrown completely open, or with adjusted movable slats.

Whatever the choices, you need to rock that space with your kids so that you both feel that it’s the best option for when they go away. You might feel a bit bereft for a while, but your kids will probably also miss you too, so the cozier, more convenient and similar to home that you can make it for them, the better it will be for everyone.

dorm life, Guest Posts

Dorm Decor Must-Haves for Your High School Grad

 

With high school graduation in full swing, finding the perfect dorm decor for your teen is next on the list. Take a look at these graduation gift ideas to be prepared for fall move in!

Dorm decorDecorative Curtains 

Students are going to want privacy when sharing their small space with a new roommate. Hanging a chevron curtain to the ceiling by their bed serves as an innovative room divider and also blocks out unwanted light. Choosing curtains with a bold print will bring in a youthful pattern to the space. Be sure to purchase curtains with ties or hunt for a contrasting ribbon to hold back the curtains when they’re not in use.

Dorm lightingLight it Up

String lights are one of the most popular decorations found in dorm rooms. Since candles are rarely allowed, string lights provide a similar ambiance to the room and create a cozy environment.  You can even find lights with small lanterns attached for a bohemian, outdoorsy theme. Take a look at Target and World Market, as they have a large selection of decorative lights to choose from. World Market’s burlap star lights are a personal favorite because they’re neutral and aren’t too bright.

Make it Cozy

The next four years are going to go fast, but it’s important for your teen’s dorm room to feel like home. Bring in area rugs to add warmth to the room, layer mix-matched throw pillows for contrast, and work in monograms where you can to personalize their space.  Coming up with a color scheme will also give the dorm a cohesive look.

Matching ottomans or floor poufs are an easy buy and are small enough that they can be tucked away when not in use.

Get Artsy 

Don’t forget about the walls! Hanging art on those drab, white dorm walls will truly transform the room. Wall decals, such as sticker frames, Etsy prints with inspirational quotes, and decorative mirrors are creative options for your new college student. The For Like Ever poster from Super Rural doesn’t miss a beat with its bold color and typography, and fun saying. Mood boards are another way to personalize their side of the room.  Buy colorful pushpins, paint a corkboard a bright color, and collect family photos and other memorabilia to collage with. During the next four years, this board will be a source of comfort and inspiration for your teen.

_________________________

This is a guest post by Erica Bryant of Roomations. Roomations is an interior design and e-decor site that connects you with professional designers for custom room concepts online. Work with up to three different interior designers to visualize your project then make it happen by taking to the streets (or your computer) with a shopping list that includes everything you’ll need. Custom interior design has never been so accessible, affordable and convenient! Start by finding your personal style with our free Style Quiz.

dorm life

Designer dorm rooms–the wave of the future?

 

designer dorm roomThe trend: parents hiring designers to deck out their student’s dorm room. Are designer dorm rooms the wave of the future? According to an article on bizjournals.com, parents are hiring interior designers for college dorm rooms:

More students and their parents are paying interior designers $90 to $175 an hour to turn drab dorm space into spaces worthy of magazine spreads, complete with upholstered headboards, wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, reports USA Today.

“There’s a (typically deep-pocketed) subset of the population that sees this as sort of an extension of their home,” Vennie Gore, president of the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International and the head of housing at Michigan State, told USA Today. “There’s a (typically deep-pocketed) subset of the population that sees this as sort of an extension of their home. They want to create in their room more of a home environment,” to the tune of $1,500 to $3,000 — although $10,000-plus makeovers are not unheard of.

Now you may not be one of those parents that will to drop that much change on a one year dorm makeover. But if you need a little help, there is some help available at a reasonable price.

Roomations offers e-decorating and virtual room design services that can help you transform a room in your own home (in addition to interior design tips and inspiration on our blog). Upload photos of your room and choose one or more interior designers who will prepare style boards based on your personal style, budget and preferences. Once you’ve approved your favorite style board and provided feedback, you’ll get a 3D rendering to help you visualize the design plus a complete shopping list, so you know where to get all products for your room makeover. Visit  and try their “Find Your Style Quiz … mainly because it is super fun!”

dorm room decorators


If this sounds interesting to you, you’re in luck because Roomations has provided my readers with a coupon code (BLOGHER13) for a 25% discount. As you can see, it takes 3 easy steps and your dorm design suggestions are yours!P.S.–Parents-have you thought about redecorating your son or daughter’s bedroom or that basement that was a dedicated video game space. You can use the coupon code for yourself!

 

 

dorm life, student health

Smart snacks to eat while studying

 

Studying is hungry work, but choosing the wrong foods to satisfy this hunger can actually decrease your energy levels and sabotage your healthy diet.  Chips, cookies and other snacks consisting of simple carbohydrates provide bursts of energy, but this energy quickly dissipates, so you experience crashes.  Instead of binging on junk food, eat healthy, balanced, smart snacks, like the five suggested below, to ease your cravings, fuel your brain, and keep both your diet and your education on track.

healthy snacksApple Slices or Celery and Peanut Butter

Apple slices or celery sticks paired with one to two tablespoons of peanut butter provide a good mix of carbohydrates, fat, and protein to keep you full and alert while you pursue your education.   Celery sticks are lower in calories and sugar than apple slices, so if you need to munch constantly, these are the smarter choice.  If, however, you are feeling sluggish and sleepy, opt for apple slices.  They will give your blood sugar more of a boost.

When choosing a peanut butter, select a natural brand without added sugar or hydrogenated oils.  Eating brands that have added sugars, like corn syrup or table sugar, may give you a sugar rush, but the energy boost will not last.  Because the sugars in these peanut butters are simple sugars, your body processes them rapidly.  This means a crash will quickly follow the initial sugar rush.

Continue reading Smart snacks to eat while studying →

college housing, dorm life

Off to college? Tips for getting along with roommates

 

college roommatesWe’ve all seen movies about the college experience, ripe with parties, drinking and new experiences. The reality of it is, living with roommates isn’t always one big love-fest. How you get along with your roommates impacts your entire college experience, so follow these tips designed to help you coexist peacefully.

Create a System

When more than one person shares a small space, it tends to become a matter of who left the thermostat up, why there’s a pile of dishes in the sink, and whose turn it is to clean the bathroom. Head off trouble by creating a chore list that clearly outlines who has each duty on any given day. Work together to come up with a fair list, so no one carries an unfair load.

Continue reading Off to college? Tips for getting along with roommates →

dorm life, parenting, Uncategorized

6 Dorm Safety Tips for Students

 

dorm safety

While student dormitories are not exactly danger zones, students who reside in dormitories should observe safety measures to keep their property safe from thieves or accidents such as fire. For the most part, it only takes common sense to prevent potential accidents in student dormitories. For instance, you should not leave candles or hot cigarette butts burning inside your room. According to the National Fire protection Association (NFPA), the number of dormitory fires reported between 1980 and 2009 increased by 17% and on average, dorm fires destroy property worth about $20.9 million, cause 3 deaths, and 38 fire injuries every year. These statistics show the importance of taking fire safety seriously. Here are some dorm safety tips that you can take as an individual student to keep your dorm safe.

Continue reading 6 Dorm Safety Tips for Students →

college guidance, dorm life, parenting, Uncategorized

5 ways to go green on campus

 

green campusIf there’s one thing that’s almost universally true about teenagers it’s that they’re fairly self-involved, and getting them interested in altruistic pursuits can be a chore. But as they get older and start to figure out who they are and what drives them, it may become easier to get them fired up about social and environmental challenges. Most young adults are full of energy and they want to do their part to make the world a better place. If you want to give your own college student some direction, you might suggest that he join the ongoing crusade to make the Earth a cleaner, greener place for all of humanity through his eco-friendly efforts. And here are just a few ways that you can get him on board with doing his part for the environment, and hopefully urging others to go green on campus.

Continue reading 5 ways to go green on campus →

dorm life, Uncategorized

How to make the most of a small college dorm room

 

college dorm storageIf your student is lucky he’ll end up with a dorm room that’s roughly the size of a shoebox (as opposed to the postage-stamp variety). Let’s face it: dorm rooms are small and cramped! And most of them already come with two twin beds, two desks and chairs, and two wardrobes, which means even if you’re student is fairly economical with his stuff he still may not squeeze everything in. He’ll probably want to bring his entire wardrobe and he’ll certainly want his computer setup. Then there are toiletries, electronics, and small appliances like a microwave and mini-fridge. And soon enough there will be a slew of books and papers to contend with, as well. Of course, if he plays music or sports there will be even more equipment crammed in. In short, your student’s small dorm room could soon become a featured residence on the TV show ‘Hoarders’ if he’s not careful. So here are just a few strategies that could help to cut down on the clutter and truly optimize your student’s college dorm room.

Continue reading How to make the most of a small college dorm room →

admissions, college apps, college costs, college guidance, college housing, college majors, college planning, college visits, dorm life, financial aid, parenting, scholarships, student loans, test prep, tutoring, Uncategorized, websites

Comprehensive List of College Info Websites

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college planning

Here’s a current comprehensive list of my picks for college info websites. Do you have any additional suggestions?

COLLEGE BLOGS

ParentingforCollege.com–You will find the MOST information ere olege news. Come here first to find the latest and bhest tools to hn our blog: college guidance, college planning, college coaching, and colelp you navigate the college maze.

TheCollegeSolutionBlog.com–An excellent resource for college-bound teens and their parents: admissions, testing, and financial aid.

UniversityLanguage.com/blog–Great blog articles about everything related to college admissions geared toward students.

GreatCollegeAdvice.com/blog–An excellent resource about the college admissions process providing expert advice helping students map their college journey.

USNews.com/Education–The education channel of U.S. News and World Reports providing the latest news and information related to college.

CollegeBasics.com–An excellent resource for information about college essays, college applications and high school resumes.

InsideHigherEd.com/blogs–Several different blogs related to higher education.

CollegeAdmissionsPartners.com/blog–An expert blog dedicated to helping students find the right college.

CollegeFocus.com/colleges–A virtual clearinghouse of blogs related to college life, parenting, college searches, etc.

Road2College.com–You can find just about any topic related to college prep at this site: financial aid, college planning, student loans, test prep, and more.

PARENT SITES

UniversityParent.com–A site where parents can ask questions, gather information, and download and view college guides and campus newsletters.

CollegeParentCentral.com–A blog created to give parents useful information about college and the college admissions process.

YourCollegeKid.com–A site with parent forums and other college prep tools.

CollegiateParent.com-A site dedicated to providing parents with information for their college students.

FINANCIAL AID

Fafsa.ed.gov–The official government website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

SallieMae.com/plan–A FREE education investment planner that will help determine college costs, compare college costs, and provides information about student loan repayments.

SavingForCollege.com–Everything you need to know about financing a college education.

FinAid.org–An excellent resource for the answers to all your questions regarding college financial aid.

CollegeFinancialAidAdvisors.com–Help with the college financial aid process.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fastweb.com–An extensive scholarship search website with a massive database of scholarships, along with articles and helps designed specifically for parents.

Chegg.com–A free service for students and parents where students can showcase themselves, connect with colleges, and search for scholarships.

Cappex.com–The place to go to find merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.

Scholarships.com–An extensive scholarship search engine that helps you search and schedule alerts for deadlines.

How2winscholarships.com–A guide for parents and students on how to effectively apply to and win scholarships.

COLLEGE VISITS

SmartCollegeVisit.com–Created to provide information about college visits, help parents and students plan, and view personal accounts from both parents and students.

CollegeWeekLive.com–A virtual college fair that sponsors free LIVE events with archived presentations, student chats, and college booths.

Youniversitytv.com–Learn about colleges by watching video tours, chat with students on campus forums, post questions and get answers.
CustomCollegeVisits.com–Offer custom tailored to your family’s needs, whether you’re visiting college & university campuses close to home, across the country or from overseas.

COLLEGE PLANNING

Cappex.com–A site created for students to help them simplify their college search, create a profile and search for scholarships.

CommonApp.org–The common application site used by 400 colleges and universities across the country.

PrincetonReview.com–The best value colleges list for public and private institutions across the country.

UPromise.com–UPromise partners return a portion of eligible purchase money back to you. Those earnings accumulate in your Upromise account until you decide to use it to invest in a 529 plan, help pay down eligible student loans or assist with college expenses—all tax-free!

CollegeBoard.com–It’s here you’ll find the CSS Profile application (required by many private colleges), register for the SAT, and read articles about planning for college.

CollegeXpress.com–A search site that groups colleges in categories and provides college “hot” lists (i.e. top college for late bloomers, colleges for students needing a second chance)

VolunteerMatch.org–Find local volunteer opportunities for your college-bound teen and teach them about the importance of giving back to their community with the added bonus of adding that service to their high school resume.

KnowHow2Go.com–A college planning site for college-bound students providing helps and aids from middle school to senior year: interactive and fun!

 BigFuture.collegeboard.org–A planning tool to help parents and students get ready for college.

TEST PREP / TUTORING

TutorsForTestPrep.com–An SAT expert and coach offering tips to help your college-bound teen improve their SAT/ACT scores.

FairTest.org–The site for the National Center for fair and open testing providing information about colleges who do not use the SAT/ACT for admissions decisions.

QuincyTutoring.com–A resource to find a tutor and schedule a tutoring session.

LaunchpadEducation.com–Tutoring to help students with learning disabilities and ADHD.

CramBetter.com–CramBetter uses bite-sized video lessons to help you focus on the material that’s most likely to show up on your exams in math, physics and chemistry.

TEXTBOOKS

ECampus.com—Find textbooks, sell textbooks, search for college supplies and college apparel all on this one site.

Chegg.com–A hub for students to compare textbook prices, study for exams, and choose the right courses.

RECRUITING

NCSASports.org–The college recruiting site for athletes.

BeRecruited.com–If you have a teen that’s a student athlete, they can create an online profile here and help colleges and coaches find them and be recruited.

college housing, college visits, dorm life

5 Tips for taking campus tours

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campus toursCampus visits are an important part of the college selection process for any student. Higher education is a significant investment of both time and money, and you and your teen should both be proactive about finding the perfect school. When you visit colleges for campus tours, don’t simply follow along silently. Remember these important tips for making the most out of every one of your campus tours.

  1. Give Yourselves Plenty of Time
    Rushing yourselves through a campus tour will defeat the entire purpose of visiting at all. You won’t be able to see everything, and you’ll be so frazzled by the stress of rushing about that you won’t remember anything either. Plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy every campus tour at a leisurely pace. Set aside a whole day for excursions to local colleges, and consider planning an entire weekend around your trips out of town.
  2. Explore the Whole Town
    If you’re visiting a college campus in an unfamiliar area, take some time after the tour to explore the whole town outside of campus. Surrounding areas can play a major role in the college selection process. Some schools are tucked away in rural areas with little city life to speak of, while others are situated in the middle of dense, exciting metropolitan neighborhoods. Take your campus tour beyond the campus itself, and explore the surrounding areas to get a sense of where you are and where your teen will be living.
  3. Ask Lots of Questions
    The campus tour is your greatest opportunity to have your burning questions answered. Veteran students and faculty members typically conduct these tours, and they can give you the insider information that can’t be found in web pages and pamphlets. Ask lots of questions during campus tours, and encourage your teen to do so as well. Inquire about anything that springs to mind; computer centers, extra-curricular activities, academic advising or whatever piques your interest. You won’t get another opportunity like this, so let the questions fly.
  4. Request to See Dorm Rooms
    Your campus tour may or may not feature a tour of dormitories and student living spaces or it may be a “model room”. Some colleges encourage prospective students and parents to explore these spaces, while others do not. Whatever the situation may be at your campus tour, request to make a visit to the dorms. If your teen is going to be living on campus, rather than attending an online university, the dormitory accommodations will be a very important deciding factor in the college selection process. A college may have several different options for dorm living, so try to see as much as you can during your visit.
  5. Bring Home Lots of Literature
    Start a catalog of college literature from your campus visits, and bring home as much as you can from each school. Obtain pamphlets and brochures on everything from major programs to financial aid, from international study to career placement. School literature will help you and your teen to remember the details of every campus you visit, making each tour educational and worthwhile in the college selection process.