The Daily Illini: Housing Guide Spring 2016

Monday, Feb. 29, 2016

THE DAILY ILLINI Spring Housing Guide Living far out

Bunk buddies

Ten under $10

Off-campus housing creates independence

Is it a good idea to room with your best friend?

Essentials every college student can afford

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Living alone: The good, the bad and the independence ISABELLA JACKSON Staff writer

By

spring of my freshman year, I knew that I wanted to rent an apartment rather than stay in the dorms for another year, but all of my friends had already signed leases for the following fall. I leased a one bedroom apartment, hoping that I would adapt to living alone.

The situation has had its ups and downs, but living in an apartment by myself has taught me to be more independent than any previous experience.

On move-in day, the white walls and empty rooms of the apartment were anything but inviting, and even when my things

were mostly unpacked, the place seemed sad. I found myself briefly missing the noise of other people in the dorms that was always present the year before.

The first night was terrifying.

It seemed like every sound in the building was someone at my door, and the open windows brought in noises from the street and the sorority house next door. I was convinced that I had made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

In the daylight the next morning, I decided that if I was going to survive the year, I needed to turn the apartment into home. I hung curtains over the windows, a map of the world behind the couch and a collage of photos of family and friends on the wall of my room. Once the apartment seemed to reflect my personality, I was more at ease.

Since that first night, I have gotten used to the sounds of the

radiators popping and my upstairs neighbors moving around their apartment, and most nights, I don’t even notice the noises outside.

After the stress of moving in was over, the next obstacle was learning to live by myself. As a freshman the year before, moving into the dorms seemed like a huge amount of independence, because I no longer had parents telling me what to do and where to be every day.

In an apartment, though, I was forced to take care of myself, beyond simple decisions. Especially without roommates, I was responsible for all of the cooking, cleaning and upkeep. There was no longer the unlimited food of the dining hall or cleaning crews in the bathrooms.

During the last six months, I have learned to set up a schedule to make sure bills get paid

on time, attempted to cook more than just pasta and even dealt with a gas leak in the pipe behind the stove, which required a midnight call to Ameren during finals week.

Having control over my surroundings has been one of the best parts of living alone. I never have to deal with roommates who are in a bad mood or who host a party too late. When I need to study, I can make sure the apartment is quiet, but if I want to have friends over, I don’t have to check with anyone first.

I have come to count on lazy weekends where I can sleep in and stay in my pajamas all morning without bothering anyone else, and knowing I can come home to my space and relax after a bad day is so nice.

But there are days where not having roommates just seems lonely. When I come home with a

story to tell my friends, it never seems as funny over a text. On nights when it seems like everything is going wrong, and I just need a hug and someone to tell me that it will be OK, my empty apartment doesn’t seem so great.

When it comes to cooking and cleaning, it would be nice to have someone to share responsibilities with or make the chores more fun.

Avoiding fights over cleaning and not having to share my food has been great, but I’m looking forward to living with two of my best friends next year.

That being said, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to live on my own. I now know that I can function as an adult — at least most of the time — and I’m prepared to live alone when I need to in the future.

Isabella is a sophomore in LAS. ijackso2@dailyillini.com

Apartment life brings added responsibilities, conveniences MEGAN JONES Editor-in-chief

A

fter two years of living in a dorm, I couldn’t go back. After feeling like the sophomore troll, angered by freshman squeals late at night, I left my dorm to live in a lonelier, less clean environment.

When I began living in an apartment, it seemed similar, but the differences slowly creep up on you. Here are some things you should consider before you make the switch.

No one is going to clean your bathroom.

There is a pro and a con here. Pro: You no longer have to deal with anyone else’s gross hair in the shower drain. Con: There is not a magical building services worker who is going to clean your bathroom each day. Wiping down common appliances should be done once a week, and remember to restock on toilet paper and soap.

Doing the dishes is another fun chore.

Say goodbye to the days of just putting your plate on a moving chain and watch-

ing it leave, because they are just going to pile up in your apartment. Depending on where you live, hopefully a laundry machine is near, ending the days of lugging the laundry down multiple flights of your dorm. That’s one chore that gets easier.

Nonetheless, these aren’t reasons not to live in an apartment — they just serve as a way of welcoming you into adulthood.

No one is going to have food magically prepared for you.

I’m hungry and it’s 5:30 p.m. and I’m going to walk downstairs and there will be a magical buffet of various different types of food.

Not anymore. In fact, do you even have any groceries at all, or did you forget to go shopping this week? Say goodbye to Late Night at PAR and Specialty Oodles (small sobs).

Shopping lists will become your best friend for planning ahead for what you need (or just continuously buy the same five items and have five boxes of Instant Rice in your apartment, like me.

Take advantage when you (or a friend) have a car on campus and stock up on basic cooking items you need that you wouldn’t necessarily think of, such as spices, butter or oil.

No one is going to bug you, but it can also be lonely.

When you live in a dorm, you can walk outside the hall and see a group of friends at any point of the day. Living in an apartment is much lonelier, unless you’re with a larger group of friends.

However, with this comes the advantage of no longer having to deal with a particularly loud kid who always blasts music and has parties in their room whenever you just want to go to bed.

And also, say goodbye to the days of having to share a room with a roommate.

You have privacy now. And it rocks.

No one is going to charge MEGAN JONES THE DAILY ILLINI you $10,000 a year for living, Dorms vs. apartments? Just look at the bed (depending on how crazy you get.) options and you have your answer.

A major advantage of living in an apartment is that the cost of living can be a lot cheaper. While you can opt for a fancy lifestyle and still pay $10,000 a year for board in a swanky apartment, I opted for the cheaper $400-a-month route.

While I miss the perks of having a computer lab and open study space, the ability to save money and avoid more student debt is important to me.

Utilities are not just magically included in your dorm fee. And they have to be paid every month. Welcome to the life of bills. If they aren’t paid on time, there will be a late fee and it’ll suck.

Also, make sure you are paying close attention to what utilities are included in your apartment before you sign. For example, some apartments include water,

while others don’t.

There are fewer rules in an apartment.

No one is going to monitor what guests you have or make sure that your room is following the fire code (coming from a fireman’s daughter, though, you should really check that out).

With living in an apartment comes the freedom of not having an RA or quiet hours (despite maybe upsetting the people who live near you).

Megan is a junior in Media. majones5@dailyillini.com @MeganAsh_Jones

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How to survive a slower summer in C-U ABRAR AL-HEETI Supplements editor

If

you’ll be spending the summer in ChampaignUrbana, you’ll quickly notice some differences in the town’s landscape.

Green Street will be populated with families taking their kids to Noodle’s and Co. and Mia Za’s; campus frozen yogurt joints will be decked with townies enjoying the lack of traffic and waiting times; and the Quad will be spotted with joggers, a handful of people catching some rays on the lawn and children enjoying the empty space.

You may not recognize the quiet campus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy summer life in Champaign-Urbana.

My first tip will be for you to find a friend or group of friends to accompany you throughout the summer months. If all of your closest pals are leaving town, find new company.

It’s not a secret that Champaign-Urbana isn’t the most happening city; you’ve figured that out by now. But good company can make any place more interesting.

I will say, as a townie who’s spent my whole life here: I survived, backed by friends who love late-night ice cream runs and random shopping trips as much as I do.

So, with some searching and the right group of people, you can have a good time. After all, there are still other people who live in this town year-round, and

they find things to do.

Agritourism is a unique component of this town Champaign-Urbana features an array of fun agritourism establishments where you can try something a little different while connecting with nature.

Pick your own apples and try the signature doughnuts at Curtis Orchard.

Have some goat cheese gelato or pick berries at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery. Take a fun selfie with a reindeer at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch (yes, apparently they’re real).

Downtown Champaign and Urbana Champaign and Urbana’s downtowns have so much history. Within the old buildings that adorn the little streets, you’ll find some of the most unique local businesses and restaurants in town.

Have a nice dinner in a unique setting. Watch a movie at the Art Theater or the Virginia Theatre. Then, to top it all off, grab some delicious pastries from one of the many bakeries.

Food trucks There’s nothing more fun than being on the hunt for your favorite food truck (and then being angry when you get there only to realize you’re too late to catch it).

Follow local food trucks via their social media pages to find out who’s going to be where. Try some Korean tacos if you’ve never had them before. Eat a

DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Explore local restaurants and shops in downtown Champaign-Urbana during your free time this summer. doughnut with Fruity Pebbles on top, because why not? There’s virtually no limit to the variety you can get in a diverse town like this one.

Japan House and the Arboretum

You guys basically miss this garden when it’s at its most beautiful because you leave campus just before the summer months. But if you’re sticking around, now’s your chance to check it out! The gardens are filled with the most vibrant, colorful flowers and plants (and

they make for quite a sweet backdrop to pictures, I might add). Sign up for a tea ceremony at the Japan House and connect even more with the tranquility of nature.

Abrar is a senior in Media. aalheet2@dailyillini.com

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7

The five stars of campus dining halls

BY AMINAH KOSHUL STAFF WRITER

All of the dining halls on campus have established reputations, ranging from good to downright awful and everything in between. In my limited experience during freshman year, there was a consensus (for the most part) on the quality of food served at each dining hall.

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ALLEN

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It has the most variety, but it gets crowded pretty fast around 5 p.m., so show up super early or super late to avoid the rush. Also, a bonus tip: For the milkshake to be good, it has to have the perfect ice cream-to-oreo ratio.

Just saying.

This dining hall has the most vegetarian options and plenty of room for seating.

Breakfast for dinner on Tuesday nights is probably this dining hall’s best meal of the week.

Always a good option when you’ve missed regular dinner hours and feel hungry for “Late Night.”

By far the smallest dining hall, but lunch on Fridays gets pretty busy because of their specialty pasta station.

I’m not a big fan of the food, but their late night is pretty convenient.

Aminah is a sophomore in LAS. akoshu@dailyillini.com

Claire Stelter, junior in ACES

Aaron Chen, senior in LAS

N/A Morgan Manka, junior in LAS

N/A

N/A

Maria Issa, freshman in FAA

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N/A

Ten items under $10 you need in your apartment ABIGALE SVOBODA News editor

A frying pan Fried eggs. Scrambled eggs.

Pancakes. Quesadillas. Grilled cheese. Bacon. Sausage. Stir-fry.

Hamburgers. French toast.

Ten meals you can make with a frying pan and I guarantee there are more. A frying pan is the single most useful tool in your kitchen. Make sure to have one handy (and a spatula to match).

A Swiffer At $12, this is a little above the price point set in the headline, but so worth the splurge.

Chances are you don’t have the time, energy or motivation to

make sure your apartment floors are literally sparkling — like at home; in that case, the Swiffer will become your best friend.

It’s quick, it’s easy and it may not fool Mom, but your friends are guaranteed to think you have the cleanest apartment on Frat Park.

Flowers You can get a handsome bouquet of flowers at County Market for around $7. They’re good for your physical health, mental health and happiness. Flowers also brighten up the room and make for an easy and cheap decoration.

A power strip You probably already have this from your dorm days, so hang onto it. This comes especially handy when all of the

inhabitants of your apartment want to study and charge their laptops on the couch.

Good drinking glasses Maybe you don’t mind drinking your Diet Coke out of the can or reusing the giant cups they give you at Which Wich, but your guests might. At some point during your apartment dwelling, you’ll want to be able to offer someone a glass of water without rummaging through your cabinets for an acceptable container.

Extra blankets Few things are more exciting than when friends from home come to visit. Few things are more disappointing than when said friends don’t travel with blankets and you’re giving up your favorite comforter at 2 a.m.

You can probably get this one for less than $10 if you rummage through your linen closet at home before heading back to school. If not, stock up on some cheap fleece blankets at Target.

No, they’re not luxurious or the prettiest, but they get the job done.

During your time in your apartment you will most likely hold a pregame or party of some sort. The next four items are essential for your apartment AND your apartment parties.

A bottle opener For wine night. Or for the kid who didn’t get the memo and drinks 312 instead of Natty Light.

Shot glasses Sometimes those pregames and parties might be off to a

slow start. Or they might be a blast. Regardless, nothing gets the crowd going like a round of shots.

A deck of cards Like a round of shots, a drinking game is an easy way to dispel early awkwardness at a pregame. Staying true to my roots, Irish Poker is always a favorite.

A large serving bowl If you’re secretly 50 years old like myself, you might want to put out some chips and salsa for your friends before heading to the bars.

(This also comes in handy on nights when you’re using “studying” as a synonym for “making brownies and eating the batter.”)

Abigale is a junior in LAS. asvobod2@dailyillini.com

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Wassaja Hall: A beckoning home away from home

BY BROOKS BERISH STAFF WRITER

With all of the disadvantages that came with being a Native American in the late 19th century, Carlos Montezuma overcame those odds and became not only the first U.S. individual of color to graduate from the University, but also became one of the first to earn a medical degree.

He would later become a symbol of advocacy for Native American rights and citizenship. His high achievements and inspiring story opted the University to name a new residence hall after his birth name: Wassaja (pronounced WAHS-as-jah).

“He (was) the ‘University of Illinois’ Class of President of 1884 and (the) first racial minority student,” said Jamie Singson, director of the Native American House. “For Wassaja, he represents for students today the ability to persevere and overcome incredible challenges” The University Housing website provides the construction logistics plan and covers the basics of what the new residence hall will provide. Wassaja will have 504 beds, multiple single-gender bathrooms per floor, individually controlled A/C and the rooms will be clustered in “pods,” offering both a more private and community-oriented experience.

“What makes it an upgraded living experience is the single-use bathrooms, which is something that our students have asked for,” said Kirsten Ruby, associate director of housing for communications

and marketing. “It is not a suite style like Bousfield (Hall), and we are actually holding spaces in this hall for incoming freshman. It will be a great mix of the community.”

Wassaja Hall will not host any kind of Living Learning Communities. However, Nugent, a relatively new residence hall, will have a new LLC for honors students on the third and fourth floors.

“I chose Wassaja because it’s the newest dorm and it’s supposed to have improved everything,” said Rozerin Tari, freshman in Business. “I’m really excited to see what Wassaja will become known for and it’s really something I look forward to being a part of.”

Wassaja Hall will offer genderinclusive rooms to students. Beginning fall 2016, one wing on the first floor of Allen Hall will also have inroom coed options, making it the only other residence hall to offer that. This shift to more inclusive housing options shows how far University residence halls have come since the early 20th century when there was no on-campus housing available for women.

“There will be several rooms designated as gender-inclusive, which means that anyone of any gender can live in them,” Ruby said. “Students need to request those rooms and request those roommates, so someone will not be assigned to that space if they do not wish to live there.”

Wassaja Hall is being built in the location where an outdated residence hall once stood. Students can expect that more additions to

DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Wassaja Hall, located in the Ikenberry Commons dorms, is expected to open in the fall of 2016. the Ikenberry Commons will break ground in the years to come.

“It is not necessarily adding to the inventory of spaces on campus because it is replacing a residence hall that got demolished,” Ruby said. “It is part of the long-range plan to redevelop (the) Ikenberry Commons,” The construction of Wassaja is proceeding according to schedule, and the plan is to move everything into the building this summer.

“We anticipate that it will be substantially finished by late spring,” Ruby said. “It opens fall 2016.”

The University does not take the naming of a building lightly. The naming process has many different steps, all of which must be completed before the building can be a granted a title — especially one that honors an alum.

The Yavapai Tribal Council and the late descendants of Wassaja’s family were both contact-

ed in order to ask for their support of the name. Needless to say, they endorsed naming the hall after Wassaja, which means “beckoning” in his native Yavapai language.

“We are hoping that they will inspire the students who live there to think about the legacy they are leaving and how they can achieve greatness,” Ruby said.

berish2@dailyillini.com

Best friends make the best or worst college roommates RABIA ILYAS Staff writer

T

he thought of living in the same neighborhood as your best friend in grade school might have brought you joy. To some people, living with the ultimate best friend is a dream come true. Luckily, in college this dream can become a reality.

Choosing who to live with is an important decision in college.

Finding a roommate who shares similar habits and interests is a

top priority for most students. For instance, if you like to go to bed early, living with a roommate who parties all night might not be the best choice to make, even if that person is your best friend.

Living with the person you spill all of your secrets to could result in movie night every night or a social extravaganza five days a week. While fun, having your best friend near you all the time can be distracting and damaging to your work ethic. Social nights are for the weekend and you might forget what day of the week it is if you are around your best friend all the time.

Along with having an effect on your academic life, a best friend can also have an effect on your social life.

College is the place where you explore your interests and expand your network of friends. Having a best friend by your side is great, but it might narrow your friend group if you only reach out to that one person. It’s important to diversify your friend group and meet as many people as you can. Living with your best friend might result in a loss of other potential best friends.

Getting into small arguments and fights is normal for all rela-

tionships. This also applies to a best friend. Because we have more expectations from the people closest to us, getting into fights is inevitable when certain expectations are not met.

It’s been said that you only know a person after living with them. While you may think you know everything about your best friend, you might discover new aspects that are bothersome.

Dirty dishes left in the sink for days might strike a nerve if you are a neat freak.

At the end of the day, all humans have fallacies, and your best friend is still human after

all.

You only give someone in your life the title of “best friend” because they feel like family to you. Feeling homesick is common while living on campus, and living with a best friend can make you feel a little better. You might consider your best friend as not only your family, but also your support system for those rough break-ups or soul-crushing exams.

For these reasons, it may not be a bad idea to room with the bestie.

Rabia is a sophomore in DGS. rilyas2@dailyillini.com

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Make sure to be there for your roommates DECLAN HARTY Managing editor

E

veryone typically has a nightmare roommate situation of some sort.

It may be not doing the dishes, or it could be wet laundry drying in your shower when you have 10 minutes to get to the Quad.

Housing is one of the first decisions every incoming college student has to make, but trust me when I say the decision (for the most part) doesn’t get any easier after that first year of living in a dorm.

As a transfer sophomore, I had no clue what I was going to do when I was admitted to the University. I had already come to know and love Bromley Hall throughout visiting campus my freshman year, but I was well beyond having to live in a dorm. I had to duck in the hallway in my freshman dorm at Illinois Wesleyan University, so it’s safe to

say that I wasn’t looking at dorm life favorably again.

Luckily, two of my girlfriend’s friends were looking for a roommate for the next year, and within a few weeks, I had signed a lease to live in one of the tallest buildings on Frat Park. There was a balcony overlooking the muddy, bottle-filled park, washer and dryer in unit and what essentially seemed to be a brand new kitchen. I had hit the jackpot.

The question, though, was that there were only three of us in a four bedroom unit. So we ended up with a random pairing, and that didn’t go so well. I won’t go into too many specifics, but when you’re woken up at 3 a.m. to your roommate cooking right outside of your bedroom while yelling via Skype... it’s not fun.

Now in my third year of apartment living, I don’t consider myself a perfect roommate by any means, but I am thankful to have found two great roommates (thanks guys!) this year that make my life way easier.

So here are a few tips to hopefully help you avoid any bad situ-

ations with your roommates.

First off, set your rules first.

You don’t like people smoking on your balcony? Make it known to everyone in your apartment at the beginning of the year. Even if your roommates aren’t smokers, when they’re having a party and it’s 4 a.m., you don’t want to wake up to the beautiful aroma that is exhaled smoke from a Marlboro Red seeping through your door or window.

Second, be self-aware and practice what you preach. The absolute best way to avoid an awkward confrontation with your roommates it to try to get the problem resolved before it’s even a problem. No one — trust me, no one — enjoys having to sit down with their roommate and say, “You’ve got to put away your dishes.� You don’t want to be your roommates’ parents, so don’t make them be yours.

Next, be respectful. It’s so remarkably simple, right? If only. This one doesn’t require much of an explanation at all, but it needs to be said. College is hard enough; don’t go taking

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

With roommates, establishing boundaries right away and being respectful to one another is a must in order to avoid awkward situations in the future. out your frustrations on your roommates.

Finally, be there for your roommates. Everyone needs a few friends in college, so at the very least, be there for the people you wake up in the same apartment with, whether it’s by

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Pets make home-away-from-home more welcoming MASAKI SUGIMOTO Sports editor for video

M

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Living with pets makes coming home after a long day of school a lot better. If you live alone, it can be especially comforting to have a nearby friend.

any don’t consider living with pets when they come to school. They either leave their current pets at home or don’t consider adopting one. Here are some of the ups and downs of bringing along an extra friend to school.

Living with pets can be an amazing experience in college.

There is nothing like a furry friend to help you through midterms and finals.

College can be one of the most stressful times with work, student organizations you’re involved in, the relationships that come and go and evermounting schoolwork. Having a pet can make your living space more fun and always give you something to do.

The pet can make you a better person as well. When you have a pet, you need to make sure your

space is clean and you adhere to your schedule. The amount of effort it takes to care for your pet can be a big task, but they can be a big factor in keeping you on schedule.

You could also save a pet’s life. So many animals go without homes and are not as fortunate.

Many shelters have issues with not having enough space for certain animals, and they end up living in less-than-ideal situations. If you are able to adopt a pet, you may save a life and gain a furry friend. It’s a win-win.

That being said, there are some major downsides to owning a pet. Depending on the pet, it can get lonely or would need to be fed several times a day.

If your schedule requires you to be out of your place often, it may be best for you and your pet not to live together at school.

Being around your pet often will be ideal for its own health and well-being.

Pets are also expensive, especially in an apartment complex.

Students should look at their financial situation first before

deciding whether to live with a pet. Complications can arise down the road that require the pet to receive special food or specific medical care, and that can break the bank.

You also need to know if you will keep the pet after school.

You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have to move somewhere that isn’t pet-friendly after college. Also, depending on where you move, the pet may not like the weather conditions, or may not do well in urban areas.

If you can, highly consider living with a pet. It will be a lot of planning and you will need to consider the potential roadblocks and challenges that you could run into, but if you find yourself under the right circumstances, it will be a great decision. They can put a smile on you and your friends’ faces and turn those boring, stressful and dreary days into ones filled with happiness.

Masaki is a junior in Media. msugimo2@dailyillini.com

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OFF-CAMPUS LIVING COSTS IN CHAMPAIGN-URBANA Average base rent per month to live near campus ranges from $250-$850 for a 12-month lease

$0

100

200

300

When is the best time to sign a lease?

With roommates Living alone

400

500

600

OCTOBER

700

800

*Based off of 2013-2014 data

Suggestions say to add $4,000-$5,000 a year to cover food and utilities Add $85-$160 per person, per month for electricity, gas, water, cable television, internet access and landlord fees

DECEMBER

3-, 4- and 5-bedroom apartments go on the market for the following August 900

MARCH-JUNE

Many large Champaign apartments have been leased

Apartments a mile or more from campus go on the market for August leasing

Compared to residence halls Average costs of living per month in an apartment with a 12-month lease versus residence halls with an academic year contract (broken down over nine months).

Apartment alone

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Using the air conditioning 24/7 for the first month you move in will usually increase your power bill by $200

Residence hall alone Apartment with roommates Residence hall with a roommate $0

300

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Monday, February 29, 2016

15

Cook smarter, not harder: Reduce waste, cost SUSAN SZUCH Copy chief

W

hile many students relish the freedom of being able to cook their own meals once they leave the dorms, some may fi nd the task of cooking for just one person to be daunting.

However, there are some things that students can do to reduce cost to themselves and to the environment.

Sometimes even the simplest things are the most beneficial.

Make sure you have the supplies you need to cook, such as measuring cups, pots, pans and dishes. By having the right tools, you’ll be able to follow your recipes to the letter, and — hopefully — reduce the amount of mishaps you have in your kitchen, which means you won’t have to throw out food you could have eaten if you had prepared it properly.

In that vein, invest in Tupperware to store your leftovers in.

Bonus points if it’s fun; you’ll end up using it more if it’s something you like looking at.

There’s no need to abandon your favorite recipes or cut them down, which can often leave you with half a can of beans spoiling in the fridge. Instead, you can make food for the whole week.

Make one or two items on Sunday that allow you to create different iterations on it throughout the week. For example, make a pot roast, a chicken or a stew, and use the leftovers to give variety to your week by making different dishes such as tacos, salads or wraps. By portioning out your meals, not only do you ensure that all of your food gets consumed, you save money and reduce the amount you waste.

Food waste is a serious problem in the U.S. In 2012, Americans threw out 35 million tons of food — nearly three times the 12.5 million tons that were trashed in 1960.

Although throwing out food may be harmful to your wallet, it’s also harmful to the environment. As it decomposed in land-

fi lls, food releases methane, a greenhouse gas estimated to be 20 times more lethal than carbon dioxide. This, along with the energy expended to grow, harvest, sort and transport the food, can have a negative impact on the health of the planet.

To help reduce this impact on the planet, there are several things anyone can do, according to the 2012 report by the National Resources Defense Council. When purchasing food, people should be cognizant of expiration dates and consider picking “ugly” produce that may have fl aws or be misshapen, but are perfectly edible.

When cooking, people should only cook what they will need — or, cook and portion out food to eat later, making sure that they eat their leftovers.

While this seems to be just good advice in general, it can also be especially useful if it’s your fi rst time cooking for only yourself.

Oh, and don’t forget to eat your vegetables.

Susan is a junior in Media. szuch2@dailyillini.com

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Monday, February 29, 2016

17

From Champaign to Savoy:

Finding myself in an off-campus apartment SARAH FOSTER Assistant features editor

W

e all change. It’s a fact of life. But when I look back on the past six months of my second year of college, I see my biggest metamorphosis yet. It all started in a place far, far away: Savoy, Illinois.

Toward the end of my freshman year of college, I decided to make an untraditional housing decision. I unpacked my dorm room at Illini Tower, and I moved my items into a one-bedroom apartment in Savoy.

Here, I hardly ever see pedestrians, and my neighbors are so quiet that I forget they’re there. Next door, there’s an elderly gentleman, and down the hall, there’s a single mother and her son.

They aren’t your typical college-apartment neighbors, that’s for sure.

My first year of college, I felt the typical emotions: loneliness and homesickness. I made plenty of friends, but most of them had already committed to other housing options.

Without an idea of who to live with, and also without the bravery to find a random roommate for the second year in a row, I decided it would be a good learning experience to try a one-bedroom apartment.

And when I couldn’t afford any of the single bedroom housing options on campus, I shrugged my shoulders and decided on Savoy.

I will admit, I’ve been embarrassed to tell people that I live alone — and in an off-campus apartment. I thought something was wrong with me. Why couldn’t I find someone to

live with? I once told a girl where I lived, to which she responded with, “You must feel lonely and isolated.”

Yes, I do feel those things — I can’t deny that. But honestly, is there a college student who doesn’t feel lonely or homesick or isolated at some point? My freshman year, I lived in the heart of campus, on the corner of Fourth and Chalmers streets. I was surrounded by hundreds of students every minute of the day.

Nothing prevented me from feeling lonely then.

People say you discover yourself and find out who you truly are in college.

It’s ironic that my time spent in my off-campus apartment helped me do all of those things — and much, much more.

A new convenience Housing is expensive, but off campus, it doesn’t have to be. For a one-bedroom apartment, my living space is pretty spacious.

I have room for a couch, a kitchen table, a recliner, a dresser, and a queensized bed, among other items. And my rent is fairly cheap — around $500 a month. All of the on-campus apartments of this size went for at least $800.

Right outside my window, I can see my car. I can lock its doors from my bedroom. That parking space was free, and on campus, spaces go for $40 a month.

Also unlike campus, guests have free parking as well. When I have friends come over, they can park in a spot right outside my apartment without having to worry about refilling the meter every 20 minutes.

I will admit, sometimes, it isn’t convenient to have to drive to school. I’m not

a morning person, and it truly sucks having to wake up earlier than I would have had to if I lived on campus. But I love being in the comfort of my own car, blasting the radio and singing at the top of my lungs as I try not to spill my freshly brewed coffee all over my lap. I live for the little moments like those.

A new independence I’m an only child, and many of my friends remind me that I have it easy. My friends tease me; they say my mom will do anything for me. They often believe that I’m not very independent.

I used to question my independence. Now, I don’t believe that’s true.

My days differ, but they typically go like this: Wake up two hours before class. Take a shower. Eat breakfast. Get ready.

Drive to my parking spot (20 minute drive). Walk to class (20 minute walk).

Fulfill my duties on campus (you know, like save the world and cure world hunger; the whole nine yards). Walk to my parking spot. Drive home.

Make dinner. Study. Go to bed.

Repeat for 32 weeks.

I’ve felt my time management skills improve dramatically because I live off campus. I also feel like I can take on the world. I finally realized that I can take care of myself. When I’m feeling down about myself, I just replay that seemingly trivial routine in my head.

I’m only 19, and I do those things everyday.

I’ve always struggled with confidence, but thanks to this off-campus apartment, I feel capable.

A new motivation

SARAH FOSTER THE DAILY ILLINI

Four photos hang on the wall inside Sarah Foster’s bedroom in her off-campus apartment.

The one part about living so far off campus that still periodically bothers me is the isolation. I frequently feel lonely; sometimes, I wish I could just leave my door open and talk to my roommates like I did in my dorm room.

Other times, I wish I could just open up my window and listen to the sounds of the pedestrians and the idling buses.

But the irony is that, while living off campus, I’ve met more people and lived more like a college student than the time when I lived four blocks from the Quad. It’s because I’m motivated to prevent loneliness and isolation.

When I was in my dorm room, I just thought to myself, “Oh, I will just hang out with someone

next week.” It almost seemed too accessible.

Now, I think to myself, “OK, Sarah, you may feel lonely if you don’t do anything on a Friday night.

Let’s call up a friend.”

In the end, living alone and living off campus isn’t for everyone. Campus is still a wonderful place to live, and you can certainly learn all of these things about yourself no matter where you are. This was just the best option for me.

Without this experience, and without this time in Savoy, Illinois, I would still be hopelessly wandering down this dark and confusing path we call young adulthood.

Sarah is a sophomore in Media. spfoste2@dailyillini.com

SUPPLEMENTS STAFF SUPPLEMENTS EDITOR ABRAR AL-HEETI ASSISTANT SUPPLEMENTS EDITOR VICTORIA SNELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MEGAN JONES MANAGING EDITOR FOR REPORTING DECLAN HARTY MANAGING EDITOR FOR ONLINE MIRANDA HOLLOWAY CREATIVE DIRECTOR KELSIE TRAVERS COPY CHIEFS MAGGIE PLUSKOTA, SUSAN SZUCH PUBLISHER LILYAN LEVANT Email supplements@dailyillini. com

Monday, February 29, 2016

The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com

18

Spring cleaning: Don’t be a sloppy sloth ALICE SMELYANSKY Features editor

If

you think you can get out of cleaning because you’re a busy college student balancing challenging classes, a bustling social life and sleep every now and then, you’re wrong.

Cleaning is not only good for the home; it’s good for your own wellbeing, too.

That despicable clump of clothing in the corner of your dorm room that’s just asking for some TLC isn’t just building dust, it’s a sign that there’s something in your life you’re avoiding. You’re going to have to deal with the dirt at some point, so you might as well use spring cleaning as a perfect excuse.

Consider these tips for keeping the essentials in your living space clean.

In the kitchen

Just because you live in a dorm doesn’t mean you get away with not cleaning your microwave or mini fridge. Both will likely smell at some point, and if you care at all about your room smelling like spoiled milk, both need to be wiped down thoroughly every few weeks.

If you actually have a kitchen to take care of, you’ve got a lot more to worry about and it’s kind of a big deal. Bacteria grow in your kitchen sink, on your cutting boards, on that sponge you throw around and honestly every surface area in your kitchen.

To combat all that bacteria, enlist the help of an all-purpose cleaner. Windex Multi-surface Allpurpose Cleaner can really be a bae if you let it into your life, so don’t hesitate to use it.

In the bathroom I’ll spare you the details on the kinds of scary creatures that exist under the rim of your toilet bowl and surrounding your shower drain. No one likes to scrub the toilet, so invest in drop-in toilet clean-

ers for a hands-free clean.

Use scrubby bubbles for that shower or tub floor, and if you have a glass shower door, a squeegee is your best friend. You can even keep it in the bathroom for easy cleaning after you shower.

While we’re on the topic of showering, please don’t just wash your towels once a month. When you use the same towel for weeks at time, you’re basically negating that lovely, clean feeling you get after you wash up.

In the bedroom When the world is crazy and you’d rather not deal with life, your bedroom should be a safe haven. To keep it clean and tidy, start with the basics: candles.

Especially if your roommate is contributing some funky scents to the room, candles and wall plugins will help.

But don’t just rely on good smells to provide the clean. You should wash your sheets at least every two weeks. This will not only keep your room smelling nice, but it will eliminate acne and skin

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Monday, February 29, 2016

19

Advice for first-year apartment renters

BY AISHA MOTAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Living in an apartment is a major personal step. For many students, it’s the first time they’ve lived fully independently without parents, resident advisers or even roommates in some instances.

One of the many things people struggle with when living on their own is cooking.

Living in the dorms comes with the luxury of dining hall food. Andrew Wabi, sophomore in Business, recently had to learn to cook for himself.

“I guess in the dorms you could just go whenever you want and have food always ready for you, but having to cook for yourself takes a lot of time — way more than I thought it would,” he said.

But he added that apartment life also comes with its perks when it comes to eating.

“It’s a lot nicer because you can eat what you want. You don’t have to eat whatever is out for you,” he said. “You could go grocery shopping by yourself, which is also kind of hard when you don’t have a car.”

Because residence halls hosts social events, councils and many other means of meeting people, Wabi was nervous about changes in the social atmosphere when he moved to an apartment. “(In the) dorms, you see the same people every day. You get to meet everyone and build relationships with them,” he said. “I didn’t think that was going to happen in an apartment, but it does, especially because I live in

an apartment that has an elevator; you see the same people in the elevator all the time,” he said. “You get to talk to them. You hear some pretty interesting stories.”

Students living in an apartment for the first time will have to learn the ins and out of grocery shopping, especially while on a budget.

Rana Senlik, sophomore in LAS, said planning ahead is a key to grocery shopping success.

“It’s good to make lists when you need things, because when you go grocery shopping, you’re like, ‘Oh, I need this,’ and then you overpay for things,” she said. “So you should stick to a list.”

People who have had prior experience with living in apartments had similar advice. Jay Shah, senior in LAS, recommends students learn basic skills before living on their own.

“Learn how to cook basic meals before you move into an apartment so you don’t only eat frozen pizza and boxed mac and cheese,” Shah said.

The amount of work it takes to survive firstyear apartment life doesn’t become known until students are in that position.

“My advice would be to know how much effort it (takes) to keep a place clean and how to cook,” Shah said. “Before, you had your parents to do all that, but now it’s all on you, and you realize how grateful you should be towards your parents.”

Living in an apartment is the start of a new chapter for many college students.

motan2@dailyillini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Grocery shopping is one of the many things college students and first-time apartment renters can struggle with. Groceries go hand in hand with learning to cook meals for oneself.

Deciding between public and private housing HANEYAH KHAWAJA Contributing writer

P

ublic and private housing each have different pros and cons. Students shared insight on the differences of their housing selections.

What made you decide to choose a public or private residence hall?

Public: Michael Prochazka, freshman in DGS: “I chose Van Doren because it was one of the last open spots in the Six Pack, and I knew the Six Pack was one of the best places to hang out at and meet people.”

Private: Violet Kamber, freshman in Engineering: “I decided to live at Illini Tower because it offers a good location close to the Quad, and that’s where most of my classes are. Also, the room size is pretty nice. I live with three other people and we have a kitchen, two rooms, a bathroom and a living room in between.”

What are some things you like about living in your residence hall?

Public: Angelica Menezes, freshman in LAS: “I like that PAR is not a very distracting place to live.

For example, we don’t have a place like the IKE where we can socialize, but this way we get less distracted while doing work since the lounges and libraries are mostly quiet.”

Private: Nick Spontak, freshman in Business: “I like that there are a good amount of people here.

And there are a lot of amenities, like the gym and laundry is right in the basement, so it’s easy to access.”

What are some things you don’t like about living in your hall?

Public: Prochazka: “I don’t like no air conditioning — that was bad. Van Doren was just a bad hall in general, just cause the rooms were super small and probably one of the smallest on campus.”

Private: Spontak: “The number one thing would be the food. The food is just very bad. I mean, there is some stuff that is

alright, but I guess my major complaint would be about the meat and chicken. It’s just like always pink and undercooked, and I never feel good after eating it.”

What is one thing you wish you knew about public/private housing before you made your decision about where to live?

Public: Menezes: “I wish I knew more about the living and learning communities before deciding.”

Prochazka: “Probably how cool Bromley is, because the rooms are huge and its more social there — way more social than Van Doren was. And I wish I knew the quality of my dorm before I picked it.”

Private: Spontak: “I wish I knew more

about the food aspect, because if I were to do it again I would try to get in the Six Pack and try to get the food. Another thing is that the dining hours here only go till 7 and on the weekends 6.

And then public has late night and if I was hungry at 10, I could just take a bus over to PAR and have late night.”

Kamber: “I wish I knew that public housing offered late night meals. It’s hard trying to make dinner sometimes.”

There are similarities and differences between both public and private housing but it comes down to each student’s personal preferences. Whether it’s a priority to have a big room with a lot of space or more dining hall options, both University and private housing have the means to fit one’s needs.

hkhawa2@dailyillini.com

Monday, February 29, 2016

The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com

20

Navigating the housing maze via virtual platforms

BY MORIEN RAEYMAKERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Getting an acceptance letter from the University can give one a feeling of victory — having to find a place to live, maybe not so much. Here are some tips on navigating websites that can assist with the housing search, as well as three easy tricks to filter out possible hoaxes.

University housing Navigating your way through University housing is easy, thanks to the University housing website.

This multimedia platform features a functional design displaying clips, news, overviews and reviews on all University living options. It can also be useful to complement that information with online comments and recommendations from students.

Some interesting reviews can be found on websites such as “Niche” or “Freshman Support.”

Off-campus housing For private housing, the virtual maze of individual announcements or corporate websites can be a lot more confusing. Instead of roaming the internet on all those different platforms, it can be useful to look for a struc-

tured website.

Seeing lists of prices, locations, types and durations of housing options can provide another perspective and more options. Sites like “Apartment Guide” or “Walk Score” can provide a summary of what the market has to offer in Champaign-Urbana.

Another good source is the Facebook page called “University of Illinois (UIUC) Housing, Sublets & Roommates,” which tries to bundle private housing information in one place.

A platform with more than 4,000 members is not easily spared of hoaxes, cat pictures or inappropriate posts.

But as users have to sign in with a University email address, the administrators try to keep that kind of content under control.

Therefore, most of the content contains legitimate advertisements for students to (sub)lease, (sub)let or find roommates for private housing.

Tips against hoaxes 1. Use your common sense If a Facebook profile or online contributor does not seem legitimate enough to be a real person, do not expect it to be a real seller or buyer either. Sellers named “anonymous,” “John Doe” or “selling123” should

raise some questions.

Also, ask for more information on addresses such as “two blocks off the Quad” or “near Green Street,” because that could refer to more than half of the rooms in the University district.

Spend some time on research and use your common sense, and you won’t fall for more obvious hoaxes.

2. What you see is not always what you get Visiting the location in question is always the best way to get a realistic idea of the living environment.

If going yourself, sending friends or taking virtual tours is not an option, relying on pictures is the next best thing.

Making a good assessment of those things is crucial in avoiding disappointment afterward.

Some of the most honest hoaxes on online housing platforms are “panorama pictures.” The poster of the content might not want to deceive, but the viewer can get a distorted perception of a more spacious room. A Skype session can also clear up some of the “good angle distortions,” too.

3. Never pay without a written statement A common scam that is

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Housing information can be found online for University housing and off-campus housing.

However, there are certain things to look out for when navigating potentially misleading websites. reported on several websites is less easy to recognize, but is very dangerous.

If someone “accepts” a lease and sends a check for a higher amount, it is not in your best interest to send them back the difference without having a contract signed. If

their check bounces, it will already be too late.

The easiest way to make sure that does not happen, is to never pay anything without a written statement of subleasing, so you have some legal documents to back it up.

If you can filter out the hoaxes, there is a wide variety of living options for all students. With the help of certain websites, an efficient house hunt is just a few clicks away.

raeymak2@dailyillini.com

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22

Multiculturalism fosters diverse interactions Illinois students discuss their encounters with other cultures

BY SHUYUAN TANG CONTRIBUTING WRITER

At a University where students come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, diversity is a major talking point.

The multicultural environment in the residence halls offers opportunities for students to learn about other cultures. Blas Nache, an American student and a resident in Sheldon Hall, was thrilled to learn Japanese writing from her friend.

“The writing makes totally no sense to me, but I was showed how just a few different lines can create a word of completely different meaning, which is very cool,” Nache said.

She said multiculturalism in the residence hall allows her to see similarities and differences

between ways of life.

As different cultures maintain different beliefs and values, the convergence of different perspectives may induce changes in an individual’s mindset.

Phil Siganga, a bicultural student with a Kenyan and Chinese background who was born and raised in the U.S., notices some of these changes in himself. He said he found himself “more eager to explore the world, to visit the places (students) are from to experience what they are like.”

He attributes this change to the experience of living on the same floor as students from Venezuela, Japan, China and other countries.

“Thanks to the experience of living with people from different cultures, I want to help to make society more even in a way (that) we can experience all cultures, rather than just focusing on one central culture,” he said.

Exchange students and international students also experience immersion in a new cultural setting when they come to campus.

Raquel Casali, an exchange student from Brazil, had to adjust to

the different cultural etiquette of her new temporary home of Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall.

There have been a few moments where cultural differences created interesting situations, such as when one of Casali’s friends was

“I effectively expanded my social circle beyond that level to make connections with people who share different cultural backgrounds.”

VIRUPAKSH AGRAWAL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

taken aback when Casali offered to kiss and hug her the first time they were saying goodbye to each other.

But as a result of her new multicultural atmosphere, Casali has become friends with people from Mexico, Ecuador, Italy, Denmark, Spain and China.

She has enjoyed her time here so much that she is trying to extend her stay for one more semester.

“The strong sense of inclusiveness within the multicultural setting makes me want to explore more about here,” she said. “And I am really glad that I don’t have to spend four hours every day in traffic as I did in Brazil.”

Virupaksh Agrawal is an international student from India who spent most of his childhood in east Africa, and has lived in different cultural environments prior to his enrollment at the University.

Agrawal made a point early on to take advantage of the diversity on campus.

“I decided to commit myself to a life of more than just socializing with people from the same ethnic group as me,” he said. “I effectively expanded my social circle beyond that level to make connections with people who share different cultural backgrounds.”

He said he is extremely grateful he made this commitment.

“It set the foundation of my entire college career and made me start to appreciate and understand the fact that people can differ on the basis of experiences they have lived through in terms of thoughts and values,” he said.

“Which is not something that can be debated in a right-versus-wrong setting, especially when the differences fall into the realm of social identity.”

His appreciation for multiculturalism drove Agrawal to pursue a paraprofessional career as a multicultural advocate at Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Halls.

This position falls under University Housing and is dedicated to addressing social justice issues, motivating cross-cultural interaction and establishing respect for all cultural differences and social identities.

Agrawal hopes to encourage his 500 residents to step out of their comfort zones so they can explore new things and meet new people.

stang29@dailyillini.com

The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com

Monday, February 29, 2016

23

Armory House @ the University of of Illinois Armory House @ the University Illinois

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Dress Dress professionally for your sitting.

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Monday, February 29, 2016

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The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com

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