9 Tips All College Freshmen Need to Know

The first year of college is one of the most important years in a young person’s life. They meet new people, make early career connections and enjoy their first taste of independence. It can also be a stressful and confusing time if they arrive on campus unprepared. Here are nine tips all college freshmen need to know as they enter their first semesters.

Don’t Feel Pressured to Like Your Roommate(s)

Your child’s initial living situation doesn’t have to define their entire freshman year. If they realize they don’t get along with their roommate after a few weeks, they can reach out to their resident assistant to discuss a change of scenery. Living with new people is hard enough, but living with new people your kid doesn’t even like can ruin the whole college experience.

However, they shouldn’t let one negative interaction influence their decision too much. All roommates have disagreements. It takes time to establish boundaries and expectations that all parties can agree on. Tell your child to wait until everyone develops their routines, then determine whether their lifestyles and personalities are compatible.

 

Figure Out Your Sleep Schedule

Sleep is the most important – and often the most overlooked – part of a college student’s routine. Figuring out their sleep schedule early on will help with many other aspects of college life:

 

● Study habits
● Attending classes
● Class participation
● Reduced stress
● Better mood, energy levels and mental health

 

A consistent sleep schedule also prevents kids from falling into bad habits off campus. Partying and drinking all the time might seem appealing at first, but it often leads to many health and behavior problems that could ruin your child’s college career.

 

Become a Good Housekeeper

The hardest part of living at college is housekeeping. Your child and their roommate are 100% responsible for vacuuming, taking out the trash and washing dishes, depending on their living situation. Evenly splitting the workload is the fairest strategy.

While the above tasks are relatively straightforward, laundry is more complicated and individualized. On-campus laundry rooms are complete free-for-alls. Ensure your child knows how to navigate the laundry room and take care of their clothes.

Read the Syllabus

Each professor will provide a syllabus outlining the class’s full schedule and policies for the semester. Your child should read it the whole way through and then read it again. Knowing what comes next in the class schedule will help them manage their time and workload. It also ensures they remember the professor’s directions for writing papers and submitting assignments, putting your child in their good graces.

Participate in Class

Frequent participation is another awesome way to stand out to professors. Many students zone out and browse on their laptops during class, which makes for a poor learning environment. Encourage your child to put down their electronics, raise their hand and engage in discussions. They shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes or embarrassing themselves in front of peers. That’s how you learn and grow as a person.

Get Involved on Campus

A college degree is no longer enough to make people stand out in the job market. They need to get involved with extracurriculars on campus to make connections and grow their resume. Your child should look into part-time jobs, internships, clubs and athletic programs. If they’ve already decided on their major, they should reach out to professors and other students in the department and make a name for themselves.

Find a Quiet Study Spot

As the semester goes on, students will discover and overrun all the good study spots around campus. Encourage your child to plant their flag at a quiet location early on to avoid the big crowds. They should look for low-traffic areas in smaller university buildings. Their place shouldn’t be flashy — a simple table or bench is more than enough.

Take Care of Your Body

The freshman 15 is a common weight gain trend among first-year college students. Once they arrive on campus, they start drinking more, sleeping less and developing unhealthy eating habits. You can’t allow your child’s health to go off the rails in just the first semester. Make sure they take care of their bodies with exercise and proper nutrition.

Manage Your Expectations

Every wide-eyed freshman shows up to campus with lofty expectations. They expect to make a bunch of friends, enjoy all their classes, party every weekend and meet the love of their life. This overconfidence could cause disappointment in a few months when arguing with roommates and losing sleep over midterm exams.

College can be lots of fun, but it’s also a great responsibility. It takes hard work and dedication to get good grades, graduate and find a job. Kids looking for an “Animal House” or “Old School” experience are going to school for the wrong reasons.

 

Remember: It’s Just the First Year

Above all else, incoming freshmen must realize that it’s just the first year. They still have three-plus years to make connections and gain valuable experience. Embracing the ups and downs of their first year will prepare them for the real world and teach lessons that will impact the rest of their lives.

 

About The Author

Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy. 

 

How to Study in College to Pass Tests and Earn Good Grades

Many students enter college with no idea about how to study effectively, and each year numerous students return to campuses after summer vacation still lacking effective study skills. The following helpful hints worked out by essay writers, though, can assist both new and returning students in learning how to study in college.

 

Create the Right Environment for Studying in College

Students should create the right environment for studying, meaning one that is conducive to studying and, therefore, to learning. Here are some guidelines for creating such an environment:

● Study in the same place each day (It improves concentration since the place becomes associated with studying).
● Establish a set time then tell friends and family not to interrupt unless there’s an emergency.
● Have materials and supplies nearby, for example, a calculator, dictionary, computer disks, note cards, and even snacks and drinks (nonalcoholic).
● Use background noise that isn’t distracting, for instance, soft music or a desktop fountain (White noise has been proven to aid concentration).
● Do not turn on the television, but do turn off the telephone or at least set it for voice-mail.
● Study in an area with good lighting (not too dim or too bright).
● Make sure there is adequate space for books and other study materials.
● Sit upright in a comfortable but not toocomfortable chair, a sturdy table, or a desk (Do not lie down in bed).
● If attention begins to wander, get up and walk away from the study area (reserve it for studying), stretch for a few minutes, or go for a short stroll, but return with renewed determination to finish what was begun. 

Improve Reading Comprehension for Studying in College

Students have to read – a lot – in college, but many don’t realize that it isn’t necessary to read every word in a textbook to understand the main points and comprehend the most important information. Students can read only select parts of a textbook and still comprehend most, if not all, of the important material if they use the “SRR Method.”

“Skim, Read, Review,” and the method involves the following steps:

1. Read the entire first one or two paragraphs of a chapter since they present the writer’s central idea or ideas.
2. Skim the chapter, paying special attention to the author’s purpose (Is it persuasion, analysis, cause-and-effect, etc?); any subheadings, since they provide an overview of main points; unfamiliar words (jot them down or highlight them); and the first and last sentence of each paragraph because they help put the paragraph’s topic into perspective.
3. Review the chapter, underlying or highlighting the central point and main ideas within paragraphs; jotting down any questions that arise (Try to answer them when you’ve finished); pausing to look up definitions of unfamiliar words, and attempting to relate the author’s ideas to personal experience. 

Use Mnemonic Devices to Help Retain Information for Tests in College

For example, the essay writing service review  estimated that one day after reading a chapter in a textbook, most students have forgotten 46 percent of what they read; after 14 days, 79 percent; and after 21 days, 81 percent. Moreover, in a study conducted by the Cambridge Psychological Society, when participants were interviewed two weeks after attending a seminar and hearing a lecture, no one could accurately recall more than 10 percent of the lecture. 

The point is, most people, not just students, have poor memories. However, there are tools people can use to help them recall information. These tools are mnemonic devices, and most students were introduced to them long before college. For instance, when younger, perhaps they learned their ABCs by singing the letters aloud or they learned to recall the seven coordinating conjunctions by associating them with the acronym “FANBOYS” (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

 

Different Mnemonic Devices Students Can Use for Studying in College

Mnemonic devices include acronyms, acrostics, and visualization:

1. Acronyms: Acronyms are formed using the first letter of keywords in a phrase or title, for example, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus), or HOMES (Heron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior, which are the five Great Lakes). By creating an acronym for important concepts or items, students then need to recall the acronym, which will act as a prompt and aid them in recalling the information for tests.
2. Acrostics: Acrostics are sentences, phrases, or rhymes that are created by using the first letter of each word or fact that someone wishes to recall, for example, “Every good boy does fine” for musical notes, or “In fourteen-hundred-and-ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”
3. Visualization: Visualization involves creating a story or mind-picture, which can aid in retaining information. For example, to recall a formula for a math class, a student might picture some components as hotdogs and others as buns; then he will develop a brief, even humorous storyline that will help him recall the correct solution.

In summary, students need to learn to study effectively if they wish to succeed in college, and by utilizing these tips they can improve their study skills and, consequently, improve their test scores as well.

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About the author

John J. Gregg is an experienced writer on essaywriter.nyc where he provides students with an opportunity to get high grades. Besides, He is fond of reading and playing the guitar. By the way, John dreams of traveling a lot and visiting as many countries as possible.

How to Have Healthy Relationships During College

Having healthy relationships can make you happier and help you enjoy your time in school more. Having a great relationship can also reduce your stress levels, whether it is with professors, friends, roommates, or family members.

Get Help When You Need It

If you are struggling, talk to a friend or someone who can help you. That might include a teacher, an RA, a pastor, or your parents. Your school might have resources to help students who are struggling. You could also consider using telehealth for bigger problems. You can review a guide on self-care tips for college students during the pandemic with information on how to learn to adapt. You should never be ashamed of asking for help when you feel that you need it.

 

Keep Open Communication

One of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship is good communication. It takes time, but try to be there for each other and genuinely listen. While the other person is talking, you should be taking in what is said, not thinking of what you will say next. It is also important to listen with both your brain and your heart since your friend might have an emotional message as well. If you feel you have missed something, don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way. Show you are interested by asking their opinion as well. At the same time, you can share information, especially when you are first beginning a relationship. While you should be generous in sharing yourself, you also shouldn’t overwhelm them with too much at the beginning.

 

Understand That Relationships Take Time

It is important to keep your life in balance – others can make your life more satisfying, but your relationships should not be your only focus. You have to be the one to fill your life with other things you love. It is important to not go in the opposite direction and overload, but choose things that you love. Whether that’s clubs, projects, additional lectures, or volunteering, you will be able to naturally form relationships with others whom you have a shared interest with. It can be a process to form meaningful attachments with other people. It might seem like everyone on your campus is connected and has lots of friends, leaving you wondering how to fit in and gain friendships. Understand that it takes a while to get to know someone, so talk with others and don’t be afraid to take the first step, like inviting a classmate to meet up for lunch later.

Be the Friend You Want

You have likely heard that if you want a friend, you have to be one yourself. Consider the qualities you are looking for in others, and try to model them yourself. For example, be dependable by following through on plans you make with others. If you have a responsibility with someone else, make sure you complete it. It is also important to be flexible. It is easy to get into a comfortable friendship and try to keep things right the way you like them. It is not uncommon to feel angry or sad when people change and you are not ready for that. However, if your relationship is healthy, either of you is allowed to change and grow.

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22 Times Your Roommate Saved Your Life

College ain’t always easy. But if you’re lucky, your roommate might also be one of your best friends in the world. And that makes things a whole lot easier. She saves your life on the regular, and you can’t thank her enough:

  1. She agreed to go out with you, even though she’d already settled in to watch The Mindy Project in her pjs, because you needed your bestie to be your wingman and/or emotional pillar.
  2. And then she totally didn’t complain when you ditched her for that cute DJ the second you got to the party.
  3. She let you have the room later that night, after you’d dragged her out and then ditched her. Bless.
  4. But when you just needed to stay in for the night, she was right there with you to make nachos and combine all your blankets into a mega fort.
  5. All those times she made you laugh so hard you might have peed a little.
  6. She let you borrow that perfect dress when you just had nothing to wear. Well ok, she forgave you after you borrowed her dress without asking first. That’s what best roommates are for.
  7. She also forgave you for all the make-up, shoes and granola bars you “borrowed.” And for that one time you accidentally wore her underwear for a full day.
  8. And She understands that you need to live-text her second-by-second updates to get through awkward social situations.
  9. She also understands exactly what your texts mean, even when it’s just the nail-painting emoji ten times in a row.
  10. She was psyched about Facebook stalking the cute DJ with you, even though she had a paper to write, because your hypothetical love life is more important to her than school.
  11. When she took the time to be your mom. Whether that meant getting you medicine, or cupcakes, or just plain telling you to stop whining and get over it.
  12. And when you couldn’t get over it, she was a shoulder to cry on. Always.
  13. When she gently explained that your fringe crop-top looked heinous and you were not pulling it off.
  14. She routinely forgave you for being an undisciplined slob and leaving your crap on her bed.
  15. All the times she let you vent. About your evil professor who hates you, about your acapella group drama, about boys, boys and more boys—she was always ready to listen.
  16. All the times she offered you spot-on, thoughtful advice, and never accused you of reading too much into text messages.
  17. And then when you ignored all her advice and ended up in tears, she never said “I told you so.” Not right away, at least.
  18. She was your biggest relationship cheerleader, even when your beau was hanging out in your room way too much.
  19. But when things went sour, she was the first to tell you that DJ guy was a total douche, and that she’d always known you deserved better.
  20. She took care of you when you were trashed. She didn’t laugh when she caught you rocking out to The Spice Girls. Basically, she never let you feel embarrassed when you were around her.
  21. When she totally covered for you. If you needed to pull an early exit, or get a clingy guy off your trail at a party, she was always there to be your bodyguard/mama bear/fake girlfriend.
  22. All those times she was just the best best-friend-roomie anyone could ever ask for. She let you be you, and she made sharing a tiny space an amazing bonding adventure. Let’s hear it for all the life-saving roommates out there.      Header Image Source 

7 Clever Ways to Personalize Your Dorm Room

 

The college dorm room. It’s a blank slate where college students across the country are able to make the space their own. The room is an essential part of most college students’ lives — it’s where they live for a few years and a home away from home.

 

For incoming freshmen, new and old students and the want-to-be interior designers, their dorm rooms are opportunities to get creative and make it personalized. You are likely in one of these positions if you’re reading this article, which is great because you’re going to learn so many great tips to turn that blank canvas into something that screams “you!”

 

Here are seven clever ways to personalize your dorm room and make it a place you want to come home to every day.

Make the Entryway Stand Out

When you move into your dorm room, you might notice that every single door looks the same. How can you tell which dorm room is yours without looking at the room number? That’s why you should start by personalizing the entryway!

 

Decorate your door and make a “welcome” sign or personalize it using letters and tape to spell out your name. Additionally, once you open the door to your room, have an area to set your items. For example, you can hang a key holder or add a few hooks to stash your coat and backpack.

Create a Comfort Zone

Your bed is the focal point of your room, so add pillows, blankets and any other items to create a comfort zone. Get matching pillows for your bed sheets and comforter. A great way to make it personal is by designing your own pillowcase, complete with a photo of your pet or family!

From mattress protector to kitchen supplies and storage solutions, be sure to check the dorm room essentials to meet all your needs and ensure a successful college experience.

Another super clever idea is to raise your bed to loft height and make a cozy area underneath. You could add some fun bean bag chairs, or you could hang a hammock in your dorm room with the help of a hammock stand! How many other people are going to do that?

 

Set Up a Small Kitchen Area

Although your dorm room is small, you can make the most out of the space by creating mini rooms, like a small kitchen. Plus, it gives you a reason to decorate your mini-fridge and microwave!

 

Add a small cart beside your fridge, microwave and coffee pot to store food items. This keeps your dorm room cleaner and allows you to have a space set aside just for food items. Bring a piece of home with you by hanging art, to-do lists and photos on your fridge with magnets.

Decorate With Natural Elements

A great way to brighten up your dorm room is by adding plants. Plants provide you with some greenery, and if they flower, it’s added color to your room. Plus, these are decorations that will last you throughout college if you take care of them well.

 

To kick the natural decor up a notch, you can make a plant terrarium. Whether it sits on your windowsill or hangs from the ceiling, it will be super unique to your room!

Add Creative Lighting

There are so many ways to get creative with your lighting in your dorm room. You don’t have to just rely on those harsh overhead lights. Instead, string lights throughout your room to create a soft glow.

 

Also, you can get strip lights, which you can control from your bed using a remote. These lights change colors to set any mood you want, from studying to having a fun dance party with your roommates.

Craft Your Own Decor

When you craft your own decor, you can ensure no one else will have the same decorations in their dorms as you! Get out your creative side before heading off to college to make whatever embellishments you like.

 

You can paint canvases with beautiful backgrounds, knot together string for a macrame piece or even find a local artist to create something that captures your personality.

Bring a Touch of Home

Finally, an excellent way to personalize your dorm room is by bringing a touch of home. It will make your dorm room feel even more like home.

 

Whether you bring a few photos of your family and friends from back home to hang up or you bring your favorite childhood stuffed animal, it’ll make you feel comfortable moving into a new space. The little reminder of home can especially help you get through that first semester of college.

 

Make It “You”

The best thing you can do with your dorm room is to make it “you!” If you love the color yellow, create a yellow wonderland. If you love animals, decorate with your favorite photos of your pets. As you go throughout college, you’ll find what works for you when personalizing your dorm room.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

Non-Academic Factors to Consider When Choosing a College

Choosing the right college to attend is about much more than simply picking the name of the institution that is going to appear on your degree certificate when you graduate. Where you decide to go to school will have an impact on several different areas of your life from your academic achievements to your social life, opportunities for work, personal safety, friendships, hobbies and much more. Considering that your choice of college could have a serious impact on your future, it’s important to carefully consider where you want to attend and do plenty of research to ensure that you make the right choice. Along with the degree programs available, here are some important things to consider when choosing a college.

 

Personal Safety:

Many students at college are away from home for the first time and attending a college that has a good reputation for safety and security will provide you with peace of mind. When you are in the process of looking at potential colleges to attend, it’s a good idea to check out the crime rates for the area and the campus itself. Learn as much as you can about security on-campus and speak to current students to find out more about how safe they feel.

 

Extra-Curricular Activities:

College isn’t just about studying – it’s a place where many students will try new things and get into new hobbies. You can use CollegeData.com to search for colleges based on sports and other activities that are available for you to get involved with. Whether you are already a keen sportsperson and want to continue playing your favorite sport throughout your college career or are looking to try something new, it’s important to find out if it’s offered at the campus you are considering studying at.

 

Work Opportunities:

Some students will find a part-time job to help to support themselves while studying or as an opportunity to earn some extra spending money. If you expect to need to work part-time while at college, it’s worth looking into the general area around the campus to see what kind of work is available. Many campuses offer jobs on-campus to students working in shops, canteens, and bars, but a town that has a lot of different businesses will usually have more work opportunities for students.

 

Social Life:

Another key factor in your college experience will be the friends that you make. Many college students make some of their best friends for life while studying for their degree, and others even meet their future husband or wife at college. The friends that you make at college and the opportunities that you will have for socializing can make all the difference to your college experience, so it’s a good idea to learn more about the different options that the college will offer for networking and meeting new people by getting involved with different activities.

Choosing the right college to attend can be difficult. It’s important to find a college that offers the program that you want to study, but don’t forget these other important factors of college life that can make or break your experience.

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Taking Care of Your Car in College: What You Need to Know

 

Whether your ride is your pride or merely a way to get from point A to point B, you need to take care of it. The cost of unexpected repairs can put a severe dent in your budget — and college probably already takes enough of your cold, hard cash.

 

However, most universities don’t offer a course called Basic Automotive Maintenance 101. Here are five things you need to know about taking care of your car in college.

 

Keep It Clean and Shiny

If you are a financially struggling college student, you probably aren’t rolling around in a Mercedes or an Aston Martin. However, that doesn’t mean that you want to let your vehicle get filthy or accumulate rust.

 

If you purchase an older vehicle with existing rust, you can prevent future oxidative damage by taking measures to remove it. Surface rust only affects the topmost panel layer, but penetrating rust could require you to replace an entire portion of your car’s body to fix. Sand away small patches and cover with rust-prevention paint before applying the final coat of wax.

 

While it won’t hurt your car’s resale value if you have empty pop cans littering the back seat, it does embarrass you when you pick up that cutie from Calculus 101 for your first date. Show off your cleanliness and eco-consciousness by investing in a sorting bin that separates trash and recycling while keeping your interior tidy.

 

Get Your Oil Changed

Once upon a time, a foolish college student neglected routine oil changes and ended up with a $2,000 engine repair bill. Older cars often have leaks, and filthy motor oil contains contaminants that can shorten your engine life.

 

Older vehicles often need changes as frequently as every 3,000 miles, although today’s models can often go 7,500 to 10,000. If your car remains under warranty, you should follow the manufacturer’s service schedule to avoid voiding it. However, if it is out of warranty, you will need to calculate the intervals.

 

Should you DIY or take it to the shop? It’s a matter of cost and convenience, but you’re better off taking your car in if it remains under warranty.

 

Learn to Identify Signs of Trouble

Professional service can help you fix small problems before they advance to the severe stage, but you need to recognize the signs of trouble. One apparent sign that something is amiss occurs when your check engine light appears. However, there are over 200 different service codes that this alert could potentially indicate —  take your ride to a mechanic to be sure.

 

Other signs of trouble include sluggish acceleration, signifying clogged fuel injectors or smoky exhaust, which indicates a dirty air filter or worn engine parts. You might also hear thumps and noises or feel unusual vibrations. If you smell fuel oil, take your car to the shop without delay, as this sign can mean that you have a leak that could spark an explosion.

 

Maintain Your Inspection Schedule 

Unless you live in one of the seven states that don’t mandate annual vehicle inspections, you need to keep up with this responsibility. Consider it a valuable opportunity to ensure your car is safe for travel.

 

Your inspection is like your annual checkup at the doctor. Your mechanic can identify and correct minor issues before they explode into expensive messes. The small labor fee you pay is a pittance compared to the peace of mind you get that your axle isn’t ready to snap during transit.

 

Supply Your Ride With the Basics

You should always carry basic first aid and safety supplies in your vehicle even when you don’t have a long road trip — like heading home at semester’s end — planned. Please include the following:

 

● A first aid kit: Yours should contain bandages in various sizes, including those large enough to use as slings or tourniquets. Ask your doctor about getting a 3-day travel supply of any prescriptions that aren’t perishable to keep inside, and stock things like hand sanitizer and masks. Yes, vaccines have arrived, but it’s always a wise idea to keep germs at bay.
● A car safety kit: You should have jumper cables, a spare tire and a jack and flares at a minimum. Road triangles and hand tools add extra security,  as does a little DIY knowledge — learn how to change a tire.
● Food and water: If you breakdown, you need to stay hydrated. Food isn’t as essential, but it makes a more comfortable wait for Triple-A.
● Blankets: Breaking down on a cold day is miserable and potentially dangerous if you don’t have enough gas to run the heater or you can’t start the engine for safety reasons.
● Spare batteries and chargers: How will you call for help if your phone loses juice? A backup solar charger also helps if you have to turn off your engine.

Take Care of Your Car While in College With These Tips

Your vehicle is probably your most valuable asset at this life stage. Take care of your car while in college with the above tips.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

8 Dorm Room Decorating Ideas For College Students With Style

Dorm Room Adorning

Need decorating ideas for your dorm room? Going to college is an exciting experience. Finally you get the space away from parents that you’ve been craving. And you can live the final years of your education the way you want to. Getting your own personal space also means your own dorm room. And you can style it how you like. So it really shows off your personality to your future college friends and impresses your fellow flatmates.

If you’re looking for dorm room inspiration to give the ideal first impression to your roommates, we’ve got you covered. Spruce up your standard dorm room design. Or style out your storage solutions. And add some chic accessories that will make your dorm room really stand out.

Provide a welcoming atmosphere with calm pastels

Sometimes it can be easy to introduce loud and bold colours to your make your personality really stand out. However, it can come across rather aggressive and a bit too outspoken to others. Particularly when you consider that a dorm room is relatively small to a traditional sized bedroom.

Considering you’re just moving in, you’d want to make it inviting as inviting as possible so your flatmates and friends can feel welcome. Embrace light pastel colours and opt for a feminine colour palette to create a fresh and bright ambience. Your bed is likely to be the main focus of your room, so keep consistent with the pastel theme for your bedding.

Consider small, cute storage

Many dorm rooms are consistent with under bed and wardrobe storage. They have the same, basic design that isn’t too flattering on the eye. Try to add a bit of personality to your storage solutions and pick a storage choice that’s complimentary to your dorm room design. 

Consider opting for a rolling shelf that can help you store small items easily. They come in many different designs that will help to accommodate your sense of style. You can also add your own stylish storage boxes to your rolling shelf to dress it up from the standard design. 

Use head pillows as an alternate headboard

A frustrating aspect of having a dorm room is that the bed doesn’t have a headboard. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to make a custom one for yourself. Instead, try a pillow alternative by arranging textured, well designed pillows together.

Use assorted styles and sizes of pillows to give your headboard a different dimension. Mix it up with a bit of faux furs and metallic colours that tend to be popular for girl’s rooms. This clever trick will save you plenty of time and money.

Use various patterns to catch the eye of your visitors

Using solid colours around your room can help for better coordination and keeping things simple in your dorm room design. However, in reality it can make your room look rather plain and dull when using the same colour choices throughout the space. Instead, utilise the colours by mixing them with patterns to provide a different look to your colour palette.

For example, pick your chosen colour and add floral or polka-dot patterns to different pieces in your dorm room. This could mean a zig-zag rug or striped blankets. To prevent your patterns clashing, pick different sizes.

Purchase your own desk chair

As a necessity, your dorm room is going to come with a bed, wardrobe, desk and desk chair. These are going to be pretty mundane and basic types of furniture. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to change your bed and wardrobe but when you can bring your own personality to the room is through your desk chair.

You’re likely to spend hours at your desk chair whilst you write through your assignments and read up on several online materials. So, you’d want to make sure that it’s something that you can fit comfortably in to prevent problems such as back pain. Purchase a chair that’s adjustable and ergonomic to suit your posture to make sure that you can relax.

Jazz up your desk with a trendy organiser

A clear desk helps to create a clear mind. Considering you’ll be spending countless amounts of hours getting through your college work, you should avoid cluttering your desk. Opt for a simple and sleek looking desk organiser as a storage solution.

For a style that suits all, consider purchasing a clear acrylic option that helps you to get through the stacked up work without sacrificing your sense of design. It will match practically any design set up making it the ideal desk organiser to get you through the long all-nighters.

Make a coffee station a worthy addition to your room

Early starts and late night studying means your body will require plenty of caffeine to get you through the struggle of college life. To save you time, create a custom coffee station and play some music in your room so it stays in close quarters when you need it most.

Purchase a coffee maker and add a towel or mat underneath to prevent stains occurring on your table or desktop. Additionally, have a shelf dedicated to your caffeine needs. Store your coffee in decorative containers whilst hanging coffee mugs on wall hooks beside it.

Hang some art on the walls instead of typical posters

Go into any typical student dorm room and one of the things that’ll be easily noticeable are the trendy posters that are plastered from wall to wall. How about showing a bit of originality and hanging abstract art pieces to your walls instead. Abstract art can create a differing appeal to the eye and showcase meaning through their image.

The best bit about abstract art is that it can compliment the rest of your room effortlessly and doesn’t make you out to be some kind of art expert. Hanging up a piece of art throughout your college years will have you feeling an emotional connection that will stay memorable in the future.

Decorate your dorm room in style

Although you may have some restrictions with decorating your dorm room, it doesn’t have to be difficult. You may not have the luxury of adding a designer sofa or brand spanking new wardrobes into it. However, with these simple and manageable design ideas can have your dorm room going from basic to bonny in no time.

Living in a College Town as a College Grad

After graduating college, I moved to a town near UConn and now I’ve moved back to my alma mater in New Hampshire. Having lived in two different college towns since graduating, I’ve come to know what it’s like no longer being a college student while still living in a college town. There are some benefits but there are also some struggles.

Everyone on Bumble is from the college.

And if you went to a small school like me, everyone knows everyone in some way. And if they don’t know you, they’ve probably heard about you.

Dollar Drinks!

College bars have THE BEST (and cheapest) promotions! Because let’s be honest, college kids (and myself) are poor and want to get drunk.

You don’t compare to the college girls anymore.

They go out and look damn good wearing practically nothing. While you’ve got a career to uphold now and it would be awkward if you stumbled (sometimes literally) across someone important dressed like that.

Everyone assumes you’re a student.

This way, you get to save $2 on admission to college events because you can convince them you’re a student. To quote one of my favorite movies, “Bridesmaids,???…“Help me I’m poor!???

You continue to get older and the students stay the same age.

One day I’ll be 45 at my local college bar talking to the same bartender and I’ll look around and realize everyone around me is still just 21.

There’s always something going on.

There are always free events on campus and some even have free food! It’s never a boring night in a college town.

Things get sloppy.

The bars are usually full of sloppy college kids because they just turned 21 and haven’t yet realized that although it’s okay to throw up in the bushes outside a frat house it’s not the same at a bar.

The best restaurants with cheap food.

The midnight pizza slice specials for the drunk college kids are my favorite because they don’t discriminate against drunk college grads. You can also check great pizza deals at Pizza Coupons.

It’s turns into a ghost town when the students are gone.

Every summer it’s as if half the town literally just picked up and went their separate ways. Because they did. They packed up their shit in their mom’s mini van and went back home until next year leaving us townies begging them to come back so we’re not the only drunks on the dance floor anymore.

With the advantages and disadvantages, I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s become my home away from home. I loved all four years at this college and I’m going to continue to love it.

The 6 Best Party Frats in the US

In college, fraternities are known for holding wicked parties that leave everyone on campus talking for days. Instead of doing their studies, or looking for cheap dissertation writing services, some students sometimes resort to making cruel jokes about others.

However, not all campus fraternities hold bragging rights when it comes to parties, as some are complete flops that you wish you had never went to.

Various factors determine the success or failure of the party but on top of the list is good music and booze. The organization of the party matters a lot and the venue also cannot be overlooked. Sometimes a lot of homework gets in the way of good party preparation. Then the essay helper service comes to the rescue, which is the perfect tool to reduce the time for your homework doubly. However, there are fraternities that always seem to get everything right.

When you are planning a similar party, besides the wine and music, you can also prepare some cute personalized items for the party. Custom pins are always a good choice.

These pins can be engraved with the party theme, date, etc. When distributed to the participants, the enamel pins can not only be a decoration on clothes, but most importantly, they can be worked as a symbol of identity.

 

Sigma Alpha Epsilon – University of Arizona

Dubbed the Jungle Party, it is carefully choreographed and themed to give all in attendance an Amazon like feeling. Complete with an extravagant tree house, magnificent waterfalls, water slide and a mammoth stage, this is a party that the SAE fraternity members look forward to eagerly. The best part is that the number of girls always double or triple the boys.


Sigma Chi – Texas

In 2013 they threw the Round Up party, arguably one the best parties ever witnessed on that campus. The students showed up in large numbers and the entire crowd was so lively and energetic. The hot Texas chicks simply made it a party to remember for a very long time.


Kappa Sigma – University of Arkansas

Their famous party is known as Island Orgy and it involves day and night nonstop partying where the alcohol never runs out. This party is held at their Frat house where they divide it into two sections of junior and senior. To top it up, each year they always invite a top-performing artist to give the crowd a taste of his or her music.


Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Syracuse University chapter

The SAE fraternity is known for its awesome parties and the Syracuse Chapter does not disappoint. Their frat house is small and so people are more close to each other. This chapter of SAE has very few members and so the girls always outnumber them.


Alpha Epsilon Pi – University of Maryland

Those who attend the Splashbash  would rank it second to few parties or none in their entire campus life. Complete with a DJ and more than 1,500 people in attendance this is a party like no other. It is paint themed so make sure not to wear your favorite shirt if you plan to attend one. The best part is that it is held in a nightclub and anyone can enter provided you pay for a ticket, unlike other fraternity parties where you have to be a member or know someone.


Alpha Tau Omega – Indiana University

Dubbed the Ménage Tau, this is way atop the list. Here is what makes this party cool; every member of the fraternity has to invite two dates and it does not stop there, as each date is required to wear as little clothing as possible but lingerie is more recommended. The dates spent the night drinking from a champagne fountain followed by body shots and drinks from their ice luge, which is full of high-end alcohol. What happens after people get drunk is all left for your imagination but you can be sure Jesus won’t be smiling.


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