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Tips for Dorm/Off Campus Living

Posted on Aug 12, 2009 by The Woodlands of College Station

Dorm living: What you need to know

Many students will be moving into residence halls at Texas A&M University in the coming weeks, and thousands of returning upper classmen and graduate students will fill off-campus apartment complexes, condos and houses in the coming weeks.

The bed is often the best area to impart design in a small space and and whatever bedding adorns it will surely make an impact on a dorm room.

Living in small spaces comes with the territory in college. Double dorm rooms at UF measure 12 feet by 16 feet, and typically include two twin beds, two desks, two dressers, two chairs and two built-in closets.

Other than these essentials, it is up to the residents to bring in elements of design that are space-saving and practical as well as stylish and comfortable enough to turn four white, cinderblock walls into somewhere that doesn’t leave them yearning to return home to mom and dad every weekend.

Catherine Gentile, a spokesperson for Bed Bath & Beyond, said there are a few must-haves that every college student needs to ease the transition into living on his or her own for the first time.

These include a mattress topper to make uncomfortable, dormitory-issue mattresses more bearable to sleep on; cozy, twin extra-long sheets; a shower tote and shower shoes for community bathrooms; and all the technological gadgets to ensure success in school.

“Students these days are heading off to college with more technology than ever,” she said.

Consider purchasing a charging station to keep devices all together and cords out of sight. And get a laptop lock, which can anchor to a desk or bed, and protects the most important investment in a dorm room.

Don’t stress about what to bring to college and what to leave at home. Gentile said incoming college freshman should work off of a checklist when packing for school.

“Walk around your house, and see what you have that you can bring to college,” she said. “That way, when you’re shopping, you’re not wasting time and money buying extra things you don’t need, and probably won’t have room for anyway.”

Also, residence halls and almost all apartment complexes prohibit some items in rooms. Make sure to comply with rules about extension cords, wireless routers, candles, electrical appliances and bed lifts.

As for style, the bed is often the best area to impart design in a small space. It’s the largest piece of furniture in the room, and whatever bedding adorns it will surely make an impact on a dorm room.

Gentile said college students should take some time when selecting bedding. Pick a style that says something about who you are, she said, whether it be a big pattern or a bright color.

New bedding sets can be purchased at low prices on eBay.com and Amazon.com. When ordering room décor online, make sure to order early enough so it arrives at home before moving, or schedule it to be delivered to residence halls after check-in, which is Sunday for UF.

Gentile said storage is always an issue in dorm rooms, and she advised college students to find creative solutions by thinking over, under, above and multi-use.

Get over-the-door accessories, such as a mirror or a shoe rack and utilize under-the-bed storage bags to keep out-of-season clothes and bedding out of the way.

Here are some useful Web sites to consult before move-in day

Design Your Dorm, a virtual 3-D interior design tool to help customize dorm rooms:

http://www.designyourdorm.com/

Bed Bath & Beyond Equip Your Space Checklist:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/bts01_checklist.asp?order_num=-1&

Target ’09 College Checklist:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/16/00/00/04/61/93/10/461931010.pdf

Walmart Campus Supplies Checklist:

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/off-to-college-article_ektid47208.aspx

Tagged: texas a&m university, dorms, off-campus apartments, off-campus condos, off-campus houses, dorm furniture