Living in a freshman dorm can be tough! Especially when you think about living in a small space with a complete stranger who may have an opposing lifestyle.  Choosing the right student residence is a crucial aspect of navigating the exciting yet challenging journey of freshman year. This this article offers valuable campus housing survival tips for those embarking on the adventure of living on campus for the first time.

Get Involved

To help students meet people and stay active while living in a freshman dorm, campus housing usually offers a wide variety of activities for students to participate in including intramural sports, comedy shows, volunteer activities, and even date nights or dances. Students also have the option to get involved in helping run and manage the dorm by serving on the governing board, helping plan activities, or working as a resident or community assistant. Getting involved helps students meet new people and eases the transition to living on their own by giving them a sense of ownership over their situation.

Take Preventative Health Measures

Germs are highly prevalent in dorms, given the number of people living in close quarters and the sharing of common spaces. In addition, residents often have a weakened immune system due to the sleep deprivation common to many college students, especially nervous newcomers. To prevent getting sick, students should take precautionary measures to prevent acquiring any illness or disease. This may include washing hands regularly, wearing shower shoes, and acquiring recommended vaccines prior to moving into the dorms.

Bedbugs have also become a problem in dorms as a 2015 National Pest Management Association Survey found 46% of pest control professionals have found bed bugs in college dorms. Limiting the amount of personal stuff while living in a freshman dorm reduces the severity of a bedbug infestation should an outbreak occur. Students can utilize a storage service like Bekins Van Lines Inc. near the school to house things they want to keep nearby but don’t need to access every day. As a benefit, this will free up space in the dorm room for friends to hang out.

Study Up on Microwave Cooking

Most campus housing programs prohibit hot plates, toaster ovens, George Foreman grills, and other cooking devices that are deemed potential fire hazards. Microwaves are typically the only allowed cooking equipment while living in a dorm. Cafeteria food isn’t always an option, so it’s important that students can whip up at least a few recipes from their microwave. Ramen noodles are a favorite among college students, and, thanks to Pinterest, there are tons of ideas for sprucing up this simplest of meals, and even more ideas for other foods you never thought you could make in a microwave.

Living In A Freshman Dorm Can Be Fun