Category Archives: dorm life

dorm life, parenting

Packing for College?

 

college-bound studentThere are plenty of things your student will want to take to college, including a massive wardrobe, appliances, furniture, bedding, bath supplies, decorations, and so on. Of course, if you have any knowledge of the standard dorm room, you know that all their stuff is not going to fit in the shoebox-sized space they’re allotted, especially since they’ll have to share it with a roommate. For this reason you’re probably going to have to pare down what they pack, and you should do it long before you start loading up the car. Consider compiling a list of everything your college-bound student wants to take when packing for college and then go through and cross off the things they really don’t need. But don’t forget to include items that they really can’t live without. Here are a few you’ll certainly want to add to the list.

  1. Comfortable bedding. College students are notorious for burning the candle at both ends, so when they actually have time to catch a few zees, comfy bedding is a must. Now, you might not think it’s necessary to purchase quality sheets, not to mention pillows, blankets, a warm comforter, and perhaps even a cushy topper for the mattress. But the more rested your student is, the more sleep he’s likely to get, improving focus, grades, and more. When you weigh the cost of comfortable bedding against the cost of a semester of school down the drain thanks to insomnia, you should be able to see your way clear to shelling out a little dough for the linens.
  2. Portable devices. A computer is great, but these days a portable device can provide a lot more use value for the average student. For example, a laptop or tablet (with a keyboard) can not only act as a dorm-room PC, but it can also carry an entire library of books (and other media). And thanks to numerous apps designed for college students, it can also be a notebook, a recording device, a way to deliver class presentations, a schedule, and more. In short, it can provide for all kinds of academic needs in a lightweight and portable frame.
  3. College cookbook. The freshman fifteen is more than just a clever quip. Students living in dorms have limited options for food preparation. Often, they are granted a meal plan, which can definitely help them to eat regularly and observe a balanced diet should they so choose. But many dorms restrict students to items like a mini-fridge and microwave, making it extremely difficult to eat healthy. So think about packing a dorm-style cookbook (there are several options to choose from) so that your student can stay on track with healthy eating.
  4. Noise canceling headphones. Living with a roomie is not going to be easy, even for kids that have had to share a room with a sibling. But the worst part may be listening to other students snore all night, talk in their sleep, or blast music or the TV as they fall asleep. Noise cancelling headphones can not only help your student to fall asleep, but they can also work for study sessions when a roomie or students on the other side of a paper-thin wall are making noise.
  5. Storage. Dorm rooms are infamously small and cramped. Dorm rooms like you see in the movies simply don’t exist, whether your student is at Texas A&M or the University of Florida. Ample storage solutions are a must. Vacuum-sealed space bags are an option, as are stacking and under-bed bins. A shower caddy, drawer organizers, and perhaps even a small file cabinet could also work wonders when it comes to maximizing usable space and keeping the dorm room free of clutter.

Summer is a busy time for families of college-bound teens. These five tips might help you with your to-do list and help relieve some of the anxious, stressful days ahead.

 

college costs, dorm life

College meal plan–to buy or not to buy

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college meal planWhen you send your kids off to college you’ll start to worry about all manner of things. Will kids stick to their schedule, attending class and getting their homework done in a timely manner, or will they fall in with a party crowd and neglect their studies in favor of social pursuits? Will they get enough sleep and pay attention to their physical and mental health? Will they use proper protection (condoms, for example, or pepper spray, should the situation call for it)? Will they employ a buddy system at parties, designate a sober driver, and avoid open containers of alcohol? These are all questions that plague parents sending their kids off to campus. But you also have monetary concerns to contend with, and these include tuition, books, and living expenses. So while you may be concerned about your kids’ eating habits on campus, the meal plan could seem like just one more expense. The question is whether or not the college meal plan is worth the purchase price.

Consider the options

The first thing to consider is that there are usually a couple of different options when it comes to meal plans. One type will provide students with a set number of meals in a week (ten, for example) while others provide for a set number of meals per semester. Or you may have access to a flex plan or a declining dollar plan that simply allows you to put a set number of meals or money on a student account that your kids can use at any time during the semester.

However, you should be aware that most meal plans are of the “use it or lose it” variety. This means any money you put towards meals for your kids will not carry over from one semester to the next. And often, the plans that come with a specific set of meals per week won’t even carry over from one week to the next. They may come with other limits, as well, pertaining to how often meals can be purchased within certain time spans, so that your kids can’t use their accounts to buy a meal for themselves and their friends, for example.

Are meal plans worth the cost?

Now, the real question is whether or not you’ll save money by opting to pay for a meal plan. If your students have little to no disposable income and you are unwilling to provide them with cash or access to credit cards, then a meal plan is probably a good way to ensure that they are able to eat during their time on campus. So long as they use all of their credits you will likely save money over other dining-out options. However, if you know that they are likely to dine out with friends, allowing their meal plan to lapse, then you’re simply throwing money away. Flex-type accounts may allow students to purchase items other than meals, such as snacks or other grocery items (laundry detergent, for example), so this could be a good option to ensure that all the money you contribute to the account is used.

How often will your student use the meal plan?

Many college students who purchase the meal plan rarely use it. Students snack in their rooms, skip meals and often go out with friends. If your kids aren’t interested in on-campus food options, or they’d rather try to do dorm cooking with the help of menu planning at emeals.com, then perhaps you’ll want to skip the campus meal plan. Just keep in mind that many schools require meal plans for students living in dorms, in which case you’d better impress upon your kids the importance of taking advantage of these “free” meals.

 

dorm life

5 Common dorm life issues

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dorm life issuesDuring your first or second year of college you will undoubtedly be living in student housing – in a small cramped room with a roommate you will be forced to get to know. However, it isn’t all bad: you can learn a lot from your roommate, you get to decorate your room according to your own personal taste and you will have a lot more freedom than if you were living at your parent’s house. Yet, there might be some issues that you should know about before you move in.

Here are 5 common dorm life issues:

  1. One of the biggest dorm life issues is cleanliness. Most of the time it is an issue of clutter, but sometimes it can be an issue of germs too. You might have a roommate that just can’t organize their side of the room and it is inching closer and closer to yours. There might be dirty socks and underwear not put in a hamper – either yours or your roommates. You might also have plates and cups covered in old food. Because a dorm room is so small it is easy for it to get messy and unorganized, so it is important to take measures every day to keep it clean.
  2. You might also have a roommate you don’t get along with. This can be incredibly frustrating, because you will have to live within ten feet of this person for up to a year or more. There are a number of ways to rectify this situation, like having a set of rules or guidelines. If it gets so bad that there is no solution for peace in sight, you can always discuss the problem with the dorm resident assistance and/or request a room change and more often than not they will find someone else that fits.
  3. Another common issue is privacy. When you are sharing a room with someone in a hall with dozens of other students, you will no doubt run into a situation where someone accidently walks into your room, or your roommate walks in, without knocking. College can be a time of a lot of exploration so this can end up being a bigger issue than you think. However, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to let people know you want some private time, like putting something on the door handle or developing a schedule system with your roommate.
  4. There is also the issue of a dorm room being too unbearably hot or cold. In the summer time, colleges might run the AC system at full blast, which can end up being incredibly uncomfortable, especially at night when it is too cold to sleep. The same goes in the winter, when the heat is on full blast. A good way to prevent this is to have the college contact HVAC services so they can control the temperature in the room.
  5. Lastly, mold can be another big issue. Because many dorm rooms are small with not a lot of ventilation, mold spores can start to grow and cause some nasty health problems. If you notice mold around the vents or in the dorm showers, let the dorm RA know so that the administration can correct the problem.
college planning, dorm life

Organizing and packing for college

 

packing for collegeOne of the most exciting times in any young person’s life is right before they head off for their freshman year in college. For many, it is their first time living on their own on a college campus and that means figuring out how to live independently of their parents’ daily assistance.

So, as you’re helping to get your kids get organized and packed up for college, we wanted to provide you with five handy tips that can help you to help them make the process as easy as possible. Check these tips that will help while packing for college:

  1. Prioritize. There aren’t many dorm rooms that have a ton of space and even fewer that won’t require your child to have a roommate (especially their first year there). So, one of the first things that they must do is decide what absolutely must go with them and what can stay at home. When it comes to things like clothes, remind them that they can always come home during a break or holiday vacation to swap out items based on the seasons of the year.
  2. Purchase what can’t easily be bought there. Piling up on things like toiletries and food doesn’t make a whole lot of sense; those items can be easily purchased at a local grocery store or oftentimes, even on campus. Instead, focus on buying things like bedding, a mini-refrigerator, a laptop and any other items that they will absolutely need and would prefer not to share.
  3. Speak with the roommate. Encourage them to discuss ahead of time with their roommate who is going to bring things like a television, a mini-frig, an iron and ironing board, a microwave and cleaning supplies for the room. In many cases, it just takes up more space than is necessary to have duplicated items in one small space. If for whatever reason, the roommate is not willing to share, then make a quick Target or Wal-Mart run with them in between helping your child to unpack their things.
  4. Don’t buy in bulk. While providing for an entire household, buying in bulk is oftentimes a good idea. But, when purchasing things like laundry and cleaning supplies for one student in one dorm room, it can prove to be a waste of money and space. So, get big boxes or bottles of things rather than purchasing in bulk. If they use the items wisely, it can last them for months at a time.
  5. Pack smart. When it comes to packing up things like clothes, dishware (or plastic ware) and miscellaneous items (such as a First-Aid kit, mattress pad, hangers and laundry supplies), although you could pack everything up in some eco-friendly storage boxes and then put some adhesive labels on them, don’t forget that you can also be a bit more creative. A couple of ottomans are ideal for putting things into, plus your child can later use them as extra storage space/seat for their dorm room. You can also go to the Container Store to get storage cubicles. You can unpack all of the items that you put in them to transport to school and then place them under their bed until they need them again at the end of the semester.
college planning, dorm life, parenting

5 Necessities for a college dorm room

 

UnknownWhen teens head off to college, they probably have a few ideas about how they want to decorate their dorm rooms. They may lobby for trendy linens, bean bag chairs, batik wall hangings, and black light posters. But questionable style aside, they are likely thinking about impressing their new friends with the goods they choose to adorn their dorm room. As a parent, you have to try to strike a balance between letting your college-bound teens express their personal style and ensuring that they have what they need to create a functional, comfortable living space for the next few years.

Your best bet is to write a checklist of things they’ll need and then let them choose from those items so that they can get the style they want and the comforts of home. Here are just a few necessities you’ll want to be sure to add to your list for their college dorm room:

  1. Bedding. If you’re like most people, you aren’t exactly stocked up on Twin XL linens – it seems like only dorms tend to feature these oddly-sized beds. This means you’ll probably have to send your teens off to college with an armful of brand new bedding. You should include at least two sets of sheets (so they can keep one on the bed while the other is being washed), a comforter, and an extra blanket just in case. You’ll have to provide pillows, as well.
  2. Storage solutions. Space is at a premium in any shoebox-sized dorm room, so providing your teen with a multitude of storage options is a must. For bulky items like winter clothing and extra linens, space bags offer a quick and easy way to minimize thanks to vacuum packing. And when it comes to storing books and school supplies, consider using shelving and bins; while floor space for cabinets and drawers is definitely limited, there’s plenty of room overhead that can still be utilized. If wall mounts are forbidden, simply get a wall unit that stacks on the desk.
  3. Lighting. Most dorms come with only the overhead fluorescent fixture and any natural light that might come in through a single window on one side of the room. For students that need to work at night, while their dorm mate is trying to sleep, the lighting situation can be a problem. So provide your teens with a desk lamp (an LED option is great for students that have to work on computers since it won’t compete with the flicker like fluorescent lights can) and perhaps a book light for late-night study sessions.
  4. Shower essentials. In addition to providing your teens with towels, soaps, shampoos, and the like, you might want to include a handy shower caddy in your equation. Even if you’re lucky enough to find dorms that offer in-room sinks, the toilets and showers are housed elsewhere. A caddy, while not precisely essential to continued existence, certainly makes life (or at least showering) a lot easier for dorm denizens. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to throw in some inexpensive flip flops to shower in and avoid all the “nasties” from other people’s feet.
  5. Compact electronics. Your teens could probably put ERH power inc out of business with the amount of energy they draw for their electronics. But thankfully all of them won’t fit in a dorm room. So narrow it down to essentials like a laptop, a portable printer, and a cell phone, for example. And don’t forget the noise-cancelling headphones for those nights when the neighbors are blasting their music.

Lastly, help your teen understand that they don’t have to take their entire collection of stuffed animals or other comforts of home with them to their college dorm room. A few pictures from home along with some small personal items should be sufficient. Dorm rooms are small and made to house the basic living necessities. Pack wisely and consider that a few photos or a photo album and some small personal nick knacks will remind them of home and save on space.

 

college planning, dorm life, parenting, Uncategorized

Making the dorm room feel like home

 

Going away to college is exciting for students everywhere, yet many find themselves plagued by feelings of homesickness long after settling into their new dorm room. This is a perfectly natural feeling. After becoming accustomed to one set of surroundings for so long, it can be difficult to adjust to a whole new environment. If you find yourself missing home day after day, one of the best things you can do is try to make your dorm feel more like home. A bit of creativity and some clever decorating can make your dorm feel much more comfortable and help to ease your homesickness.

dorm room

Personalize your surroundings

College dorm rooms are not designed to feel like home. In fact, they are often purposefully bland and unassuming so as to be as palatable as possible. Think of your dorm room as a blank canvas. Look around and you’re most likely faced by white walls, utilitarian furniture, and perhaps a minimalist kitchen. Not particularly inspiring, is it? However, adding a few personal touches to your dorm room’s bland decor can easily turn your dwelling into a much more comforting and inviting space.

Start with your walls

Unadorned walls can be terribly bleak and disquieting, especially at times when you are missing home. Remember, however, that your dorm room walls are bare for a reason–they are meant to be filled. Cover your walls with art, posters, or your favorite photos of family and friends. You may not be able to bring your favorite people and places with you to college, but you can fill your living space with warm reminders of them to make yourself feel more at home. If you have any favorite wall hangings at home, bring them with you. Nothing helps to make you feel more at home than a piece of your old room hanging on the wall of your new one.

Turn your bed into a sanctuary

Sleep is more critical than ever when you’re in college, and an uncomfortable bed could be standing in between you and your nightly rest. Whether you’re laying down for a night of shut-eye or just lounging around the room, it always helps to have a bed that welcomes you. Bring your favorite covers and pillowcases from home, and spring for a comfortable foam mattress cover if you need some extra cushioning. A comfortable bed will help you feel well-rested and refreshed every day, and that is very important for keeping your spirits high.

Use your decorating sense

Think of other creative ways to make your room more welcoming. Throw down an area rug next to your bed so that you don’t have to put your feet down on a cold, hard floor every morning. Set up lamps to give yourself a comfortable and soothing level of light in your room. Think about home decoration trends in your home town. Remember your favorite trends for home remodeling in St Louis, or whatever your home town may be, and apply them to your dorm room space. You don’t have to feel like an outsider during your college years, and if you make your dorm room comfortable, you’ll always feel at home.

college guidance, college planning, dorm life

Stocking up on college wardrobe essentials

 

Your teens would happily waltz off to college wearing the torn jeans and stained tees that saw them through high school. But as a parent you know the power of first impressions, and you want your kids to set their best foot forward when they enter the ivory tower of learning. They have all semester to prove that they’re bright, insightful, and motivated to work hard, but if they show up to class in clothes that you wouldn’t even donate to charity they will be making a bad first impression. It’s important that you take the time to help them find wardrobe essentials that are comfortable but appropriate.

Here are just a few suggestions of college wardrobe essentials for your college bound teen.

college wardrobe essentials

Get rid of the worn, ratted clothing

The first thing you should do is get rid of the raggedy old jeans and tees that seem to have become the staple of every teen wardrobe. Even if all you can get your teens to agree to is a brand new and cleaned up version of these outfits it will be an improvement over the gnarly threads they currently sport. But if at all possible, you may want to push them to expand their style borders and adopt a few pieces that will help them to appear like they’re serious about their education. It’s not as though they have to wear a prim and proper uniform, but wardrobe selections are not only important with college staff, they make  either positive or negative impressions with other students.

Take some professional attire

In truth, it’s not a bad idea to have at least one suit handy for situations like internship or job interviews, and a few business-casual pieces couldn’t hurt either. Slacks can provide a nice change from jeans for guys or girls, as can buttoned shirts, which can be just as comfortable as other options while looking a lot more put-together. A jacket can add finish to any outfit. Remind your teens that there are ways to make these pieces portray their personality by dressing them up with accessories (scarves, jewelry, cool kicks, etc.). They can work to make a wardrobe appear more polished while still showing off the style that they rank as a top priority when it comes to creating great outfits.

Don’t forget to pack climate appropriate clothing

Another thing to consider when selecting an appropriate college wardrobe is the climate your students will live in. If they’re used to the temperate climate of sunny southern California, they may have a rude awakening when they head off to college in Michigan or New York. So it’s important to outfit them with all the cold-weather clothing they’ll need to survive their jogs across campus in below-zero temps. This could include long Johns, wool socks, and an arctic parka, as well as gloves, hats, and scarves. Rather than letting them pack bikinis and gowns for prom that they’ll never use, store their less useful clothing at home so they can come back for it later and send them to college with a wardrobe that truly suits the needs of their new environment.

 

college guidance, dorm life

5 First aid tips for college students

campus health services

 

Though all college students are covered by insurance for the duration of their studies, there are minor injuries that can be treated without having to walk into an emergency room.  There are a few first aid tips for college students and preventative safety measures that will allow you to keep certain injuries from keeping you down when you should be hitting the books.

Burns

If a serious burn takes place, from boiling oil or a fiery object, it is necessary to get to the hospital immediately.  There are very few cases of serious burns, however, and the occasional singing can be taken care of with only a few preventative measures.  A cooling ointment will help take care of first-degree burns that come from accidentally touching a radiator or getting a nasty sunburn after a long football game.  For a more serious burn, you should cover the area with sterile gauze.  Do not use cotton balls, since they can get small bits of fabric into the wounded skin.

Relieve Pain

Headaches, tension, stress, migraines, and the occasional boo-boo are all commonplace in the college environment.  A simple over-the-counter pain relief medication can be a godsend after a particularly intense lecture, a major exam, or a lengthy cramming session.  An aspirin is good for physical pain or soreness from activities like intramural sports or gym exercise, while ibuprofen like Advil is better for headaches or tension brought about by stress.  Remember to be careful not to take more than the recommended dosage of pain relievers.

Keep Sickness at Bay

A cold-weather college can breed the flu like an incubator.  Avoid colds and flu by bundling up against inclement weather, but also stash away flu medication for what is likely an inevitable contest with sickness.  Vitamin C tablets and lozenges work well to not only boost your immune system but to clear up a sore throat.  Cough syrup works well, but too much can leave a student woozy and drowsy.  Keep a thermometer on hand in order to monitor your temperature, and do not be afraid to see a doctor if your temperature exceeds one hundred degrees.

Cuts and Bruises

Whether you are a particularly clumsy student or whether you just have bad luck handling things, there are sure to be a multitude of cuts and scrapes in the duration of your studies.  Keeping sterile bandages on hand will help against paper cuts, cracked skin, or any sports injuries that cause blood to flow.  Keep a set of pressure-sensitive pads on hand so that you can protect your feet against blisters if you have to hike all the way across campus in order to get to your next class.  If necessary, a full knee brace can be helpful if you have to lift heavy objects or participate in a soccer game that puts much more demand on your limbs.  Remember that any kit should have basic items like tweezers and scissors in order to create a field bandage or operation in a hurry.

Antibiotics

The biggest harm that will likely come to a college student will come from another college student in their near vicinity.  Living in a dorm room hall with dozens or even hundreds of other students will create a breeding ground for infections and germs.  Keeping these nasty little invisible menaces at bay is the best means of keeping yourself healthy.  Having an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin for cuts allows you to prevent infection, while a rubbing alcohol application on surfaces like desks and computer keyboards will prevent the spread of germs from person to person.

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Author Bio

Sarah Daren is a writer who creates informative article related to the field of health. In this article, she offers first aid tips to college students to help against sickness and burns and aims to encourage further study with an  online fire science degree.

college housing, dorm life

How your college student can live rent free

Room and board

 

If there’s something that nearly everyone can agree on, it’s the fact that the cost of a college education is pretty expensive. Just the price of tuition alone can easily run you into the thousands and then when you add on fees like room and board or the cost of rent, it’s no wonder why the title of this article caught your attention.

It’s oftentimes assumed that a college student will either pay to live on campus or they will get an apartment of their own, but if the budget is very tight and you’re looking for some alternatives, there are some ways that your college student can actually live rent free. Are you curious to know what they are? If so, keep reading below:

Live with you (or some relatives). One obvious thing that you can do to keep living expenses down is to either have your child live with you or if they are going to school in another city or state, with some family members or friends within the area; at least until you (and your child) can save up some money for them to live on their own.

Apply for some grants. One way to get financial assistance for your child’s living expenses is to encourage them to apply for grants. One thing about grants is that while scholarships often have strict guidelines about how their monies can be used, grants are oftentimes designed to provide financial assistance regardless of someone’s grades or major in school and it can be used in a variety of ways.

Barter for rent. Something that you might not know about is that there are many cities that have what is known as local home-sharing programs. Basically, you can live somewhere rent free in exchange for providing some kind of service to the owner of the home. It might be cleaning up a senior’s house while staying in their converted apartment outback or babysitting a landlord’s child on the weekends while living in a room in their house. Craigslist will allow you to post ads if you are looking for this kind of opportunity.

Housesit. You might be surprised by how many people look for individuals to housesit throughout the year as they travel away on business or if they have a second home in another part of the country or abroad that they stay in for months at a time. House Sitters America is one website that lists homeowners all over the country who are in search of people to housesit and even watch over their pets.

Purchase a home. If you are on a tight budget, then this is probably not something that you can consider at this time, but if you can, it’s worth looking into. Call a real estate agency (like Katy Homes for Sale or a company within your area) and ask them to help you locate a suitable property near campus. As the real estate market is still striving to stabilize itself, this is the time when you can get a lot of properties for a reasonable price. For this reason, there are some parents who actually purchase homes near their children’s campus. That way, their kids have a place to stay while they’re in school and then once they graduate, the home can either be sold or rented out to tenants. It’s a smart way for your children to live rent free while in school and for you to make some extra income once they leave college.

Sign up as an RA. After freshman year, your student can sign up as a resident assistant in charge of a dormitory or just a floor in the dormitory. Most colleges let students have free room and board while they are serving in this capacity. The RA’s help with dorm questions, help resolve conflicts between roommates, and often schedule social time for the residents of the dorms to get to know one another.

college guidance, college housing, college planning, dorm life, parenting

Should your college student live on or off campus?

imagesThe time has finally come for your son or daughter to enter into the next phase of their educational careers. In just a few short months, they will be enrolled into college as they prepare to earn their degree so that they can be successful in the career of their choosing.

Although all of this time they have been living with you, and as we all know, one of the major transitions that come with going to college is that students are able to live on campus (or even in an apartment). If you’ve been trying to figure out if that is an option that is most suitable for your son or daughter, we have a few things for you to consider before making a final decision whether to live on or off campus.

The Pros of Living on Campus

One of the main benefits of living on campus is that it’s convenient for your child to get to their classes. There’s no traffic or weather conditions that could make it challenging for them to either get to class, or to get to class on time. Another bonus is that great memories are made from living among other students who are also learning in a college environment. There are college roommates (and suite mates) who end up being friends for a lifetime. Still, another benefit is that it gives college students a sense of independence. While they may have relied on you to wake them up to class or to help them budget their own money, living on campus helps them to learn how to make many decisions on their own on a daily basis.

The Pros of Living Off Campus

If they live with you, an immediate benefit is that it saves you money on either room and board or assisting with their rent and other living expenses. Plus, you have the peace of mind of them coming home every day. If they live in an apartment, this even further prepares them for “the real world”, plus it provides them with the privacy that they may need in order to study. One thing to consider with this particular option, however, is if they do live in an apartment or even if they are looking into house rentals in order to rent with a few friends, they are going to need some reliable transportation in order to get back and forth to school.

So when it comes to making the ultimate decision on what is best for your college student, there are three main questions that you should ask yourself: “Would my child thrive more living on campus or off?”, “Is my child emotionally mature enough to live outside of the home?” and “What makes the most financial sense?” Once you have taken these various pros into consideration and then answered those questions, undoubtedly, you will come to the resolve that is best for your son or daughter (and for you).