Dorm-hunting and the Two (Plus One) Things You Should Know

cash out twenty thousand a month Is it worth it? Is it even close to the school?

Nah

In this era of peak depression where the world will constantly feel like it’s ending if we don’t do as much as romanticize the smallest things and bring our fiction fairy tales to real life, college is surely one for the books. From your grandmother’s stories to 21st century chick flicks and move-in vlogs, it is incredibly easy to want to live independently from the moment you step into university.

Except, we always forget that reality is a bit different and the movie screens hide the new place jitters and homesickness. Now that face-to-face classes are finally right around the corner, here are two things you should know before moving into the city and another for when you’ve got company.

SOS, FINDING A DORM: IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT AESTHETICS.

When you’re looking at places to further look at, maybe not just take into account the aesthetics of it You’re going to be living independently now, and that means budget You’ll want something that isn’t going to dig a hole in your pocket every month, is fully furnished so you don’t have to haul in a bunch of stuff every time your lease ends, obviously the sanitation is important, and you also have to take into account curfew hours (pro tip: if you often leave in the middle of the night, go for a place that doesn’t have curfew, but if you want to limit yourself from that, go for one that has a strict curfew) On the topic of budget, you should also think about if you want roommates or not: if you value your personal space and want it all to yourself 24/7, don’t find a roommate and go full-on independent, but the con is you’ll be alone all the time, even if emergencies arise or when you get sick

So, you’re scrolling through Facebook groups, websites, and alumni recommendations, right? You’re going through dorm places like they’re dating apps, swiping left and right, taking note of which ones you might like Then, there’s this one place that’s wellknown: high-storey building, has a gym, a study hall, its own laundromat, a pool, and they use key cards

But these could be subjective What’s important is to ask yourself, where is it located? Consider the area: is food easily accessible from the place? Are there laundry facilities in, near, or around it? What about the crime rate? Surely, you don’t want to find your face on the news one day You’ll also want it near the bank and transportation terminals–you moved into the city to be near the campus, so why would you move into a place that’s in the middle of nowhere?

MOVED IN! WHAT NOW?

Found a place that suits your taste? That’s great! Now, all you have to do is get your boxes of stuff in: books, clothes, hygiene products, first-aid supplies, gadgets, table, shelves, fridge, kitchen equipment–okay, okay, let’s calm down, and maybe make a list It’s a dorm; you’re not going to permanently live there all your life, so there’s no reason for you to bring everything, unless impracticality is your thing

First off, appliances Aside from your rent expense, you also have to remember that you have utility bills to pay: the more electronics you bring, the higher those numbers will go Some dorms don’t allow cooking, so that’s a bit of a pro and a con because yay, you don’t have to worry about gas and a stove but nay, not a bunch of food options (we’ll get into that later) Rice cookers are a hit or miss, because they could also be a no from your landlord, but if you can, that and kettle pots are your best friends because they’ll save you on cup noodle days and late night coffee Some dorms also have refrigerators with them, but that’s another plus to your bills, so think carefully if you actually need one (if you’re big on leftovers and you really really need cold beverages, then go ahead, but ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, otherwise, save up on the electricity)

Cleaning supplies are a definite must Now that you’re living independently, you can’t expect your new place to be magically cleaned by someone else–you’re on your own, kid Cleaning wipes, bleach, detergent, sanitizer, brooms, and brushes are some of the things you have to tick in (also: basahan You can’t go wrong with a good rug; get all the rugs you can get in all types as you’re going to need every single one) Storage containers are essential, too, and not just for your personal and academic stuff but for toiletries and laundry Make sure to get two of them: one for inside the room and one for when you’re going for a laundry run

We’re not going to dive into the obvious stuff anymore, because surely, you’ll remember to bring clothes, skin care, utensils and plates (though, make sure to bring more than one of each, because you’ll never know when you need more), and your study essentials Some other important things to bring with you, however, are extension cords (especially if you’re sharing a space and there’s a limited number of sockets); disinfectant sprays, a firstaid kit, emergency medicine, and COVID test kits (bestie, we’re still in a pandemic; be safe); and your comfort item (stuffed toy, kid blanket, or a small trinket–bring it; homesickness in college isn’t a small foe, you’ll need all the help you can get) that it’s probably their first time to live on their own, too, and it’s definitely their first time living with you Respect and understand each other; meet halfway! Setting house rules and actively looking for ways to make things work are keys to a great domestic life, but most importantly, you have to communicate communicate your dos and don’ts along with your boundaries and catastrophes with the person–people–you’re living with, you’re up for a major disaster Remember, you’ll be living with them for potentially a big part of your young adulthood; you’ll want to be comfortable with them it’s a bubbling pot of trial and errors, mistakes, and sleep deprivation. You’re bound to make a misstep, and that’s perfectly okay. Don’t be afraid to flap your wings for the first time and try on your big boy pants–you’re on your own now, and isn’t that exciting?