Think It Over

THINK IT OVER THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MOVING INTO A DORM/APARTMENT

ANNIKA TOMLIN • COLLEGE TIMES

Getting ready to move into the last minute for a vacation, but your fi rst apartment or dorm preparing to move someplace for is daunting. You’re bound several months to several years is to forget something. Here is a list not a second thought kind of thing. of things to know and personal Plan ahead and pack early. Don’t anecdotes about what other people forget to label boxes. This will help would have liked to know in the when moving day comes so that it same situation. goes by smoothly.

Regardless if you are moving into Below are suggestions from an apartment or dorm, you will folks who have moved out of their need to budget. It costs a signifi cant family’s home for college. amount to live alone and, for that matter, in a dorm. Figure out what is Kenzi Vetter, Murray, Kentucky: within your budget for your college “Make sure that you check your years. The last thing you need is to bathroom has an outlet so you can be several thousand dollars in debt do your hair in your bathroom. I will just from living in the dorms. always and forever check bathrooms

Moving into a new place will take now.” some getting used to. Everyone feels homesick at some point. Over time Lynette Carrington, Phoenix: it lessens. Just make sure there are “Always get quality bath towels and reminders of home around you. That a comfy bathrobe. They are nice helps a bunch. comforting reminders of home. Also,

Read the lease or dorm room it’s a great idea to always have a contract. There are things you can fully stocked fi rst-aid kit on hand in and can’t do in any living space. case of any minor at-home accidents Most of the time the leasing or or injuries.” residence offi ces will offer a list of all things that are acceptable. In that Greg McDowell, Germany Barracks document, it will also go over what is Dorms: “Make sure you know/ask covered by a maintenance company. ahead as to whether or not certain

Packing last minute is never a areas are communal or private.” good option when moving into an entirely new place. You can pack at Miya Maltos, Peoria: “You need to

6 ECOLLEGETIMES.COM | JULY 2020

improve and practice your on-thephone communication skills because you will be making a lot of phone calls.”

Dylan McCann, Portland, Oregon: “I wish I knew how to stock my fridge with 5-minute meals. I also wish I knew how to discuss hard topics with roommates whose habits are different from your own: cleaning up, splitting bills, etc.”

Phoebe Wells, Tempe: “Be very careful when you fi ll out your movein forms about what kind of damage is in the room. Make sure you record all the small things because they will try to overcharge you for damages that you thought were ‘not a big deal’ upon moving in, like a scratch on the fl oor and charge you for it.”

Mary Clair, Brockport, New York: “Buy a toolbox. It’s a life saver when assembling almost anything.”

Gwen Shamley, Texas A&M University, Galveston: “1. If you’re living off campus, especially your fi rst semester of college, see if the college has a students’ group on Facebook and ask which apartments to steer clear of and which people really enjoyed living in and why. My college had one and it was a life saver. 2. If you’re a commuter, see if the gym allows you to rent a locker. It gives you somewhere to put your things on campus other than your car. 3. Always buy a surge protector for expensive electronics. Because nasty weather causes a lot of power outages on the island, some people learned the hard way that a power surge can ruin your tech.”

Leanne Costa, Phoenix: “If you’re living off campus, check that either your apartment complex has nighttime security or that there is a 24/7 maintenance in case you lose your key, cannot get inside, etc. Especially if you are living out of state and away from family/friends.”

Kelsey Moissonnier, Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa: “I lived in an on-campus apartment with strangers, and I wish I knew how to communicate with others more effectively and how to share a space with someone else that is completely different than you.”