2015 Living Guide by Niner Times

NINER TIMES

LIVING GUIDE 2015

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Living Guide 2015

NINER TIMES

LIVING GUIDE 2015

Featured dorm room

Living with pets

On-campus versus off

International roommates

Doâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts of roommates

Apartment decor

DIY furniture upgrade

Organizing hacks

Roommate agreements

Dorm breakfasts

Ramen recipes

Dorm room workouts

Editor-in-Chief

Creative Director

Eden Creamer

Megan Van Emmerik

Lifestyle Editor

Michelle Carpenter Writers and Contributors

Alyssa Fronk, Sean Grier, Quan Siler, Sydney Stephens, Daniel Vallejo, Vivian Westra, Anna Wood

Circulation team

Student Union Loading Dock Team

Amanda Duke Marketing Director

Emmanuel Loredo

Marketing and Sales

Natalie Chan, Amanda Duke, Katelyn Ford, Malik Francis, Sean Grier, Kayla McCall, Morgan Richards, Dylan Robison, Tia Warren

Niner Media Adviser: Wayne Maikranz Marketing Adviser: Kelly Merges Business Manager: Laurie Cuddy Graphics & Production: Pete Hurdle Office Manager: Mark Haire

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Featured DORM ROOM Michelle Carpenter LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Martin Hall opened its doors for move-in day 2014. After watching enter e Carp ll the building go up e h ic by M Photo so quickly, new residents were excited to see what their new home was going to be like. The newest addition to campus housing features all apartment style living. Apartments house four students each with a personal bedroom. There are two bathrooms per apartment. The days of hauling heavy laundry baskets to dorm basements and worrying if someone will empty a still running dryer on the floor are over for Martin residents. Each apartment in Martin has its own front loading washer and dryer. “The laundry is right outside of my bedroom. I don’t even have to go anywhere,” said sophomore BethAnne Phillips, a resident of Martin. Phillips lives on the first floor of Martin and 4

showed off her room. The apartments have an open layout. The living room features large picture windows that let in natural light. The kitchen is open to the living room and features a fridge, cabinet space, a stove and an oven. In the hallway of the apartment, there are two spacious hall closets perfect for extra storage. “When we moved in, the place felt really empty,” said Phillips. While the living room is furnished with a couch, kitchen table, two chairs and a TV stand, the high ceilings and white walls made the room feel bland and overwhelming. Phillips and her roommates bought some wall art to make it more lively. Wall decals are great for dorms or college apartments because they do not damage the walls by adding holes or ripping off paint. “I just wanted it to feel homey,” said Phillips about her vision for her room. The girls purchased an area rug from Target as well as a plant to put in the large living room window.

Living Guide 2015

Photo by Michelle Carpenter

Martin Hall 125 The few things they have really brought the room to life. The room is proof that it does not take a lot of clutter to brighten up a place. In Phillips’s bedroom, she hung up pictures of friends and family to decorate the walls. Bedrooms come furnished with a bed, desk and set of drawers. Each bedroom also has a closet as opposed to the wardrobes that are staples of many dorm buildings on campus. “The bedrooms are really small, but since we have the whole apartment it isn’t bad,” said Phillips who lived in the high rises last year. “I had a room to myself last year so my bedroom was bigger, but I would definitely rather have a smaller bedroom and all the common areas.” Martin features a variety of common areas throughout the building from study rooms to a game room and even an outdoor balcony. Common lounges located throughout the building have TVs for students to have viewing parties of favorite TV shows or sporting events. The kitchens located on each floor are a nice addition to the building. Although each apartment has

its own kitchen, these are great for hosting parties or floor gettogethers. They have spacious seating and much more counter space than the kitchens in the individual rooms. “People always say ‘why do you still want to live on campus?’” said Phillips. “Then they come see how nice the building is.” Photo by Michelle Carpente While increased offr campus living options has decreased the number of students who wish to live on campus, Martin Hall raises the stakes and makes on-campus living more desirable. Housing is accommodating the amenities that offcampus apartment complexes are offering. “I really like being close to everything,” said Phillips. “Even though some of the off-campus apartments are just as close to classes, I like feeling like I’m in the middle of all that’s going on.”

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Furry roommates The pros, the cons and the nitty gritty of having a pet as your college roommate

Eden Creamer EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Occasionally, you’ll see a friend who has a playful puppy and think to yourself, “man, I wish I had a dog.” Maybe you wish you had a purring kitten to snuggle with at night. Maybe a bird, hamster or reptile is more your scene. No matter what kind of pet you are considering, there are a lot of things to think about before you adopt.

Pros

Cons

Love and affection. When my cat Raleigh joined our family last October, my roommate Will and I found that she was a fluffy ball of love. I got lucky when I adopted a lap-cat who just wanted hugs and kisses, but if you treat any pet right, they will surly love you. Laughs. Pets do the darndest things. Just like people, individual animals have individual quirks, and those quirks can make for a hilarious time. What will they do next? You’ll never know. Healthy for you. Studies show that pet owners are usually healthier, both physical and mental health, than their petless peers. Why? Animals keep you moving and always keep you on your toes, helping battle obesity and depression. Home. Most people had a pet growing up. For that reason, it is no surprise that having an animal with you at your college living space can make the place feel more like home to you. Responsibility. College is a time to grow up, and nothing matures you faster than having to care for another living thing. You’ll spend a little less time at the bar and little more time snuggled up in bed with Netflix and your pet.

$$$. Pets are expensive. There are a lot of hidden costs in them other than just that adoption fee. First, make sure you pay your apartment complex’s pet deposit if they have one. Most complexes have you pay one fee upfront in case your pet destroys anything, but some places will have smaller fees added onto your rent each month. Then you have to worry about buy food, toys, vet bills and other necessities. For cats, what kind of cat litter are you going to get? The cheaper the litter, the less absorbent. For anything that lives in a cage, what will the cage be lined with? Newspaper shreds? Pets are an investment. Roommates. Just because you want a pet doesn’t met your roomie does. Make sure all tenants of your apartment are on board with a furry addition, even if you’ll be taking on the bulk of the responsibility. Responsibility. If you’re not ready to grow up, don’t get a pet. Dogs need to be let outside to go to the bathroom numerous times a day, and all animals need food. Don’t adopt an animal if you aren’t ready to give it the quality of life that it deserves. Photo by Eden Creamer

Living Guide 2015

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Photo by Eden Creamer

LIVING ON CAMPUS Anna Wood INTERN

The decision to live on or off-campus is one of the toughest decisions you will have to make throughout your college career. Since there are countless amounts of options at UNC Charlotte, it does not make your decision process any easier. New dormitories have been built on campus, as well as new apartment complexes all around the university area built throughout the past few years. Some of these places are still under construction, while there is one opening off-campus in time for the fall semester. With all of these different options, your decision to find a place to live for the next semester can feel overwhelming. When deciding where to live, first you should ask yourself how much money you are willing to spend on housing for the upcoming year. You will likely want to find some people to live with to cut down on your expected cost. Answering these two questions can create a solid base for you to begin your search for a new apartment of dorm for the upcoming school year. On-campus I spent both my freshman and sophomore years of college living on-campus with roommates. During this time, I realized that the majority of people who live in the dorms are also freshmen and sophomores many who have the same classes since at this time most are taking general education classes. There are several opportunities to meet people on a daily basis when living on-campus. You can meet so 8

many people by studying in the designated common areas, doing laundry or even attending your routine floor meetings. Quickly, you begin to learn faces and names. This becomes beneficial when you need those notes you missed from class or help on that chemistry homework. Another benefit of living on-campus is if you happen to wake up a little late for class, it is definitely reassuring to know that most academic buildings are only about a 10 minute walk away from the dorms. Also if you live on-campus, you will most likely have a meal plan. If you have a meal plan or just declining balance (DB), you do not have to worry about getting in your car and sitting through rush hour traffic just to eat dinner or go grocery shopping. Living in the dorms makes it much easier to be spontaneous with your friends since they are always just down the hall or a quick walk away. You are always able to find a nearby friend and place to have those deep conversations or movie nights without disturbing your roommate or having to leave campus. Though there are many advantages to living on campus, living on-campus also has its disadvantages. For one thing, the cost is much higher than most offcampus apartments. Most apartment complexes have rent ranging from about $400 to 600 per month and the lease is for 12 months. Living on-campus is usually over $3,000 per semester and you are only living in the room for nine months. It is also difficult to make it feel like home since

Living Guide 2015

Photo by Daniel Vallejo

VS. LIVING OFF more than likely you may have to share a bedroom or bathroom with someone who you might not get along with. If you are going to live on-campus and have trouble with tight spaces, I would suggest living in a suite or apartment style dorm room, rather than a highrise. Off-campus I eventually decided to move into an off-campus apartment my junior year and I believe it was the best decision I could make. Generally, by time you reach your junior and senior year of college, you start to feel as if you have outgrown the dorm life. You need more time to study and want less distractions. Living off-campus is the perfect way to have more alone time, but also more space to invite friends and family over as well. By living in an off-campus apartment, you are able to be more independent, have a larger bed, more cooking space and somewhere you can really feel like you are home. I think that the best part of deciding to live off campus was the price. With it being significantly cheaper than living on-campus, you now have a place to stay if you get a job here in Charlotte or decide to take summer classes on campus. If you are looking to share an apartment with others, many complexes in the university area will let you partake in individual leasing, rather than one lease for the entire unit.

Choosing individual leasing is a great way to have an apartment without having to rely on your roommates to pay rent. You are responsible for your part of the lease, so if a roommate does not pay one month, you are not at fault. You also do not have to worry about someone moving out half way though the semester or making you liable for the carpet stains in his or her bedroom. Some complexes that offer the option of individual leasing will even help place you with roommates that have similar interests as you if you do not have enough people to live with. You may even be able to find a place where pets are allowed or utilities are included in your monthly rate. Most apartment complexes have their own gyms and outdoor swimming pools. This makes it very convenient for those who do not want to drive to the crowded campus gym or pay for an expensive gym membership. The pool becomes a favorite hang-out for college students during the summer months. Living off-campus can make it harder to commute back and forth to school when you consider traffic, parking passes and of course a reliable vehicle. You may feel that the extra commute isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worth the money you will be saving. If you are nervous about living off-campus, I suggest you choose living in a complex that caters to the university students. It really is all about preference. Overall, remember to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making your decision.

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Living Guide 2015

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Living Guide 2015

International living Many students from all over the world come to UNC Charlotte every semester to study abroad. If you are living on campus, you have a chance of living with an international student. Here are some ways to break the language barrier that may be present between you and your new roommate

Amanda Duke LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Learn some phrases It is hard to have full conversations with someone who speaks another language. Try learning common every day phrases such as “how was your day?” or “would you like to go eat?” Though you may not be able to answer in full sentences to each other, you will at least be able to talk to your roommate a little bit. Nothing is worse than having a roommate you do not talk to for no reason at all.

Be aware of cultural differences Other countries do things differently than we may do things here in America. It will be more difficult to live with another person if you ignore that. If you are uncomfortable with something your foreign roommate is doing, be sure to tell them politely. Know that if you ask them to change something, they may ask you to change something, too. It is important to know that you both come from different backgrounds and it may be hard at first to deal with the differences.

Translators For those times that you may need to ask for something or perhaps even to make a roommate agreement at the start of the semester, Google Translate will come in handy. Though translators do not translate properly all the time, you will both be able to understand what you are trying to say. You can also conveniently download translator applications on your phone for free. Some of these apps have a feature where you can speak and it will automatically translate into another language. This will be especially helpful if you are trying to have a full conversation.

Learn their language Don’t try to force your roommate to speak better English. Instead try to learn a bit of their language also. They will probably be more than willing to help you. If you show interest in learning their language, you will probably get along better. You will also learn a bit of a new language, which can’t hurt in the long run.

Help them learn Going to a new country is hard, especially going to school in another country if you are not fluent in the language. Sometimes students only know enough to get by. Help your new roommate learn English. A great way to help them learn is to invite them to hang out with you and your friends. If they are around people speaking the language, it will help them catch on easier and they will make new friends at the same time. You can also watch television with them. If they are hearing the language, it will help them learn and then you will be able to have more and more conversations with your roommate. A Niner Times Publication

Avoid roommate rumbles Whether you are living with best friend or a complete stranger, there are some common courtesies that you and your roommates should follow to have a positive impact on your living situation

Alyssa Fronk

COMMUNITY EDITOR

DON’T leave dishes in the sink No one likes looking at or smelling a sink full of dirty dishes. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to scrub out your cereal bowl before you dash off to your morning class, that’s OK. Just make sure you wash it when you get back. There’s no good excuse to leave your utensils behind for more than a day.

Photo by Amanda Duke

DO let your roommates know if you have guests staying the night This is one of the most polite things you could do when living with someone. If you have friends visiting from out of the town or a significant other staying the night, give your roommate a heads up. An easy way to do this is to leave a note on the fridge or a place they will easily see it, or just send a group text. No one wants to walk into the kitchen pantsless to awkwardly discover unexpected guests over. After all, it is your roommates’ space too.

Living Guide 2015

DO restock the toilet paper roll It doesn’t matter if you took the last piece or not, never leave a toilet paper roll empty. Even if you see it empty, restock it. Take pride in your bathroom and be courteous of those who may need to use it.

Photo by Amanda Duke

DON’T eat food that isn’t yours There is no such thing as “borrowing” food. One of the rudest things you could ever do is take your roommates food. If you have absolutely nothing to eat or are starving, you should ask. A text literally takes seconds. If they say no, find a plan B, but never steal.

DO be a thoughtful roommate Being thoughtful isn’t just doing nice things for your roommate, but being considerate of their space, schedule and stuff. Some simple ways to be considerate are: • DO acknowledge your roommate in passing or have a conversation every once in awhile; • DON’T blast your music into late hours of the night or early in the morning; • DON’T stay up late talking loudly on the phone; • DO know your roommate’s birthday and wish them a happy one when it comes; • DON’T run the washer/dryer/ dishwasher after 11 p.m., unless it’s okay with them.

DON’T leave the bathroom a mess Whether it is leaving hair in the shower drain or toothpaste in the sink, you should always be aware and clean up after yourself. If everyone always cleans up their shower and makeup products after using them, it will make it that much easier to clean up for room inspections or when someone is coming to visit.

Photo by Amanda Duke

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Living Guide 2015

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Making your apartment into your second home When moving into a new apartment, it can be hard to make your new space homey. With bare walls and empty space, it may seem like home is far, far away. Here are some tips and tricks to make your new space your home away from home

Vivian Westra STAFF WRITER

Pictures The presence of familiar faces and places around your room and apartment will really give you a comfortable and familiar vibe. Hanging pictures up in different shapes will not only make you feel at home, but it will also serve as a decoration for your blank walls.

Christmas lights Hanging up Christmas lights in your bedroom or common area will brighten the room up. They will make the space you are working with seem much larger and more open. Whether you hang them up around the whole room or just in a few small spaces, they will make the room feel more cozy then it did before. Try using only one color lights. White lights make the room seem classy, while colored lights may make the room more fun. Another idea you can use is to hang the lights around your pictures. You can also hang up your lights into different shapes on the wall. The easiest shape to do is probably a heart. Experiment with different ideas to get a one-of-a-kind end result.

Photo by Vivian Westra

Wall decorations Adding wall decorations such as tapestries or paintings can add a cozy and intimate feel. It adds art to your wall and will automatically personalize your room.

Blankets Adding blankets everywhere and anywhere will make your living room or bedroom more cozy than you ever imagined. It will also give your new home an intimate feel. Blankets will also keep you warm on those chilly nights in your room or even when you are just lounging around on the couch. 18

Living Guide 2015

Photo by Amanda Duke

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DIY FURNITURE DIY any beat up old furniture to add your personal style and make it look as good as new

Getting your first offcampus apartment is an exciting experience. While you may have previously had a year in a dorm, an apartment is different. It isn’t mandated by campus, and you are responsible for rent every month. However, despite the excitement, you may be wondering how on earth to furnish your new

pad on a college student budget. Some of the best ways to get furniture are from goodwill, hand me downs from family or even things people leave outside around move in and move out time. We found this coffee table sitting near the dumpster at our apartment complex and snagged it. It was a little beat up, but it was

free so it was worth it. Eventually I got tired of looking at a beat up coffee table and decided to see what I could do to class it up a bit. I discovered that it is pretty easy to paint furniture and decided to try it out.

Supplies: • The piece of furniture you wish to paint; • Primer; • Paint color of your choice; • Paint brushes; • A roller.

Instructions: First you will want to completely clean the piece. Obviously remove anything that is stored on it. I wiped the table down with a Lysol wipe to get off any grime that may have accumulated. Place towels on the ground underneath the piece to protect the floor where you are painting. If you decide to paint outside, be sure to do it in a covered area in case of inclement weather. You will need to wait several hours between coats so it is a lengthy process. 20

Living Guide 2015

UPGRADE Michelle Carpenter LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Once the piece is cleaned and your station is set up, apply a coat of primer all over. It is best to use the roller for the large surfaces and the paint brush to get in corners or places the roller doesn’t reach. If the piece is originally pretty dark, you may need two or three coats. My table was black and I did two coats, but it probably could have benefited from a third. At this stage, don’t worry to much about painting in straight lines or being able to see your brush strokes. The primer will be covered up. You’ll want to let the primer dry completely between coats. It says an hour on the bottle, but I left mine for at least three to be sure. Once the piece is primed, go ahead and start painting. The number of coats needed for this also varies based upon the color. Let the paint dry completely between coats. On the final coat, you will want to paint carefully in order to avoid showing the brush strokes.

Your final piece will be completely unique and be catered perfectly to your room. Accent the piece with decor, such as a vase of flowers, books, picture frames or anything else that speaks to who you are.

If you DIY a piece of your furniture, tweet or Instagram us the picture @Niner_Times! Photos in spread by Michelle Carpenter

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Organizing hacks Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be surprised how much stuff you really have. Learning how to organize everything can give new life to your small space Living in a very small and confined space with another person brings a great deal of challenges. Making the most of your small space while trying to add a stylish and personal element can be very difficult. This small room is your home for a whole year, so make it feel as comfortable as you can, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sacrifice style for space. Cluttered drawers One challenge of dorm life is organization. It is so easy to get unorganized in the heat of the semester when classes and activities are in full swing. Drawers can become the biggest disaster in a room because it is so tempting to throw everything you can in them due to the amount of things that they hold. While this may be pleasing at the time, it will later be impossible to find exactly what you are looking for. Take the time to organize with this cheap solution. Save cereal boxes, or any other food boxes to create variety in width, and use them to create drawer dividers. Do this by measuring the height of the drawer and then cut the box to match the appropriate height. Then, decorate the box by wrapping it in wrapping paper. This cheap and easy trick can be used for desks and will make a huge difference in how much you can fit in a drawer. Jewelry Jewelry can be very difficult to successfully keep in a dorm room. The most common type of jewelry storage is the hanging jewelry storage system which can go in a closet. While this may save space, it can be a nightmare to untangle necklaces that are stored like this. To solve this, buy a metal chain from a hardware store. Simply hang the chain horizontally on the wall, and then attach necklaces to each link, spacing them out accordingly. It sounds like this would be aesthetically 22

unappealing, but it will actually display all of your cute bangles while keeping them tangle-free. Living rooms Living on campus offers many social benefits. People often come in and out of rooms, but the problem is having enough room for friends to comfortably sit and visit without leaving someone to sit on the floor. Having a regular chair could help, but why not have a chair that can also help create more space? Invest in a small ottoman that opens. You will have storage for things such as books, or even snacks, and also another chair for a friend.

A fun ottoman livens up a room. Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service

Makeup Every girl has makeup, and storing makeup can be a misery, especially if you have a lot of it. Makeup bags are handy if you stick to a few products, but if you have a good amount, a makeup bag can be quite cumbersome and take up a lot of space. It is also easy to forget about eye shadows that you have accumulated but just keep in the bottom of the makeup bag. A quick and easy DIY solution can save space and

Living Guide 2015

for small spaces Sydney Stephens STAFF WRITER

Crowded bathroom counters can be the worst for organization. Photo by Michelle Carpenter allow you to see all of your products, so you can see those colors that you may have forgotten about. Start by obtaining an old picture frame. Use a large

one so that you can add products to your collection. Next, paint the frame any color you wish. Then, go to a hardware store and buy a piece of metal that will fit in the frame and cover it with fabric that matches your frame. Finally, buy magnets from a dollar store and hot glue them to your beauty products. They will then stick to your frame. You can also add painted round pill bottles to your frame to store eyeliners, lipsticks and brushes. This is a relatively cheap DIY project that will save you space and allow you to use products you already have, but have probably forgotten about. It is also very cute and will add some decoration to your space.

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The importance of roommate agreements Whether you are moving into an apartment or dorm with old friends or randomly selected people, it is important to lay down some rules before you come to a disaster

Sean Grier STAFF WRITER

Living on campus can be one of the most enriching experiences for college students. As an oncampus resident you are within 15 minutes of every class on the core of campus, two state-of-the-art dining halls and Prospector, not to mention the new flexibility of the dining plans. On-campus living is not always seen as the goto option for students since they are growing into themselves, but it provides a sense of stability, peace and security for the students themselves, as well as concerned parents. More often than not, some of these standards of living are important to parents and guardians, but they should be just as important to students also. One thing that every student who lives on-campus should know is this: Your roommate agreement is your lifeline in times of irritation and despair. Roommate agreements can range from chore duties and visitation to the volume of your music. Small things like these may not seem like a big deal in the beginning of the school year, but once one small disagreement happens, it is easy for them to build up more and more until it is almost unbearable to live with each other. Since my freshman year I have lived in three different dorms on campus and each time, I was lucky to not only have awesome resident advisor, but also awesome roommates. However, things could have turned out for the worse; and it’s during those times that RAs, resident coordinators and housing staff refer back to roommate agreements that you and your roommates write up in the beginning of the academic school year. Issues such as the long distance boyfriend staying in your suitemate’s bed for a month, dirty bathrooms 24

and kitchens, maybe even a roommate using all of the refrigerator space or eating all of your food can turn an academically successful semester into the most miserable and stressful time of your life. There are studies that show more marriages end because of the small things, for instance dirty underwear on the floor, urine on the toilet seat, food in the sink and so on. Roommates in college are no different. Because you are being in confined to small spaces, it makes your relationship with your room or suitemates more intimate; it’s all about the relationship between the parties. It is important that students learn and respect conflict resolution while in the early stages of their careers because it will go far. The roommate agreement should be based on a conversation with all of your roommates present. Within the first week of move-in or classes, the roommates should discuss a time they are all available and designate a time to meet and discuss the “rules of the house.” When you all meet it is helpful to write them down on the sheet the RA gives each room. When you are finished filling it out, be sure to give the RA their copy so that if and when conflicts or major issues come up, your roommates, your RA and yourself can come to a reasonable solution. What most students do not understand is that one person cannot get everything they want when talking about roommate agreements. Part of being a roommate is that you agree to share, and that includes any troubles and tribulations that the other party brings with them. An isolationist policy is not an option because

Living Guide 2015

Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service

it only causes more conflict in the future. You all need to come to the table with a clear mind, sense of humor and end goal: to agree on the final roommate agreement. A great example of how a roommate agreement is useful is from my sophomore year in Witherspoon Hall when we had room inspections. The apartment was clean because we decided in August, when we all discussed the roommate agreement, who was going to clean the kitchen, bathrooms and living room. We also delegated who would clean what and how often designated places should be cleaned in that agreement. Another tricky part that students may face is the 24-hour visitation policy that most of the residence halls vote for in August. The policy has a key word in it - visitation. Your residence hall is not the Holiday Inn Extended Stay for people, pets or problems. Housing policies, as well as your roommate agreement can fix all three of those issues. You will not want to be sharing a space you pay a lot of money to live in with your roommates friend who sleeps on the couch most nights of the week. When you are filling out the agreement, try to

cover things that may not seem like a big issue now, but may come up in the future. Something like keeping up with the dirty dishes may seem like something you should do anyway, but when your roommate leave dishes for a week, you will wish you had made it a point to add that small detail into your agreement. Your roommate agreement is your promise to yourself and your roommates that you will conduct yourselves respectfully, peacefully and responsibly during the school year while you are all sharing the same living space. Although filling out a roommate agreement is not the end-all-be-all, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great and required start to getting to know your roommates better. You might be tempted to not take the issue seriously at first. I will caution you that I have witnessed troubled residents being kicked out of housing for violation of policies and agreements, students have received support from various departments on campus because of some of the terms contained in a roommate agreement. Take it seriously; the agreement can only help you maintain your stability, peace and security throughout the semester.

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Living Guide 2015

DELICIOUS DORM BREAKFASTS Amanda Duke LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Muffins There are package muffins that are easy to make and all you need to do is add milk or water. The packages typically make six muffins. You can make them for dessert for you and your roommates and then have one in the morning before you run off to class. They are so simple and come in multiple different types of muffins.

Photo by Amanda Duke

Biscuits You can buy a roll of biscuits from WalMart for less then $1, and there is six biscuits in the can. You can eat the biscuits plain, add butter, jelly, peanut butter or numerous other condiments. Another good idea is to make some eggs and make a breakfast sandwich. There are numerous ways to eat your biscuits and have them taste delicious.

Jell-o and pudding If you want to feel like a little kid again, make some Jell-o or pudding at night, and it will be ready for you in the morning Adding whipped cream to both Jell-o and pudding is delicious, and you can also add sprinkles for a fun twist. You can add some fruit to your Jell-o to make it a little bit healthier. There is also sugar free Jell-o if you want to eat healthy.

Toast Toast sounds like a boring breakfast, but there are ways to make it more exciting and taste better. Try buttering the toast, then adding cinnamon and sugar to the top. It is a sweet treat to eat before class. Also try buttering the toast and putting scrambled eggs on it. A Niner Times Publication

Photo by Amanda Duke

MAKING RAMEN FUN

The college students’ go-to meal is typically Ramen Noodles, or another type of cheap noodle. Eating the same thing often can get boring, so here are ways to spice up the meal

Amanda Duke LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Cacio e Pepe Ingredients: • 2 cups of water • 3 tablespoons of butter • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 cups of Parmesan cheese • 1 tablespoon black pepper • 2 packages of Ramen noodles • 1 handful of mushrooms (optional)

anda Duke

Photo by Am

To start, combine the water, olive oil and butter in a pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. When it is boiling, add in the cheese and pepper. Make sure to stir often. Then add in the Ramen noodles. Be sure to stir so that the cheese does not clump up. Once the noodles are cooked, it is ready to eat. Add some mushrooms on top if you would like.

Rica-a-Roni ramen Ingredients: • 2 packets of any Rice-a-Roni powder mix • 1 package of Ramen noodles Boil the appropriate amount of water for the Ramen to cook in. When the water is boiling, add in the noodles. When the noodles are soft, add in the Ricea-Roni powder of your choice. You will have to let the bowl sit for a few minutes so it is not too much like soup.

Mac and cheese ramen Ingredients: • 8 ounces of cheddar cheese • ¾ cup milk • 2 packages of Ramen noodles

Photo by Amanda Duke

Boil water to cook your Ramen noodles in. While the water is boiling, place the milk and the cheddar cheese into a separate pot and cook on low heat to keep warm and to have the cheese melt. When the noodles are finished cooking, drain the water and add in the cheese mixture. Living Guide 2015

A Niner Times Publication

Dorm room workouts

Get in a good workout without having to fight over equipment in the crowded gym

Quan Siler STAFF WRITER

To be honest, getting up and dressed to go to the gym can seem like a daunting task. Sometimes awful weather can be a deterrence. Maybe your favorite television show is about to come on and you do not want to miss it. Perhaps you just do not want to be in the gym environment. For those of us who have these problems yet still want to work on our fitness, there is a solution: the dorm room workout.

Planks Using your dresser to stabilize your feet and your desk chair to stabilize your upper body, this plank is a bit more challenging than your typical plank on the floor.

Tricep Dips Remember some dorm chairs can be unsteady or built like a rocking chair. It is important to use slow and control movements to avoid losing your balance.

Step Ups This is a perfect exercise to work your quads, calves and glutes. A dorm dresser provides you with enough height to powerfully lift yourself off of the ground. 30

Other dorm workout options • Bicycle crunches • Lunges • Squats • Push-ups • Reverse crunches • Jump-roping Complete 10 reps of tricep dips and step ups along with a 30 second plank in a circuit. Incorporate 25 jumping jacks in between each exercise and you will have a total body cardio burn all in the comfort of your dorm room.

Photos by Quan Siler

Living Guide 2015

A Niner Times Publication

HOUSING & RESIDENCE LIFE Live on campus! We offer traditional, suite and apartment-style living options convenient to your classes and activities. National research shows that living on campus contributes to greater overall satisfaction with and success in college. Commute less, connect with your peers more and enjoy the amenities and safety that only on campus living, with access to 24-hour staff, can provide. housing.uncc.edu

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE & 49 NORTH Student Living | Individual Leases | Utilities Included | Member of Niner Choice Gold Located less than a mile from campus with free campus shuttle. Offering 3 and 4 bedroom apartments and town homes. uvcharlotte.com | forty9north.com

Living Guide 2015