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imalwaysfalling · 7 years ago

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My first post—a reaction to a college article based on my experience!

Hello everyone! I’ve had some ideas floating around recently and decided this would be a good place for them to live. I’d love to make a college video someday but this will do for now :) I hope to make a few more posts reacting to articles in the weeks before I go back!

Article 1 can be found here: https://www.phonesoap.com/blogs/news/college-bound-dorm-room-essentials

My thoughts:

Apple computers can definitely be good for personal use! However, if you are majoring in something related to computers, some commands and software may be different. Also, if you need to use Microsoft Office products frequently, they are not a good choice! The iOS versions lack many features.

I agree that your laptop should not be too heavy—my 15.6” tends to be wayyyy too much to carry around all day. Go for the 13 ish inch instead! And don’t get an iPad for classes, opening documents posted by your professors and typing will likely be very difficult!

Noise-cancelling headphones are something almost no one wears! You will get used to sharing space with a lot of strangers and learn to tune them out. Plus, there is always the option of quiet study areas where someone will most likely fight whoever tries to make noise. It’s probably a good idea to purchase a standard pair of earbuds for $10 or so, just in case you need to listen to something on a public computer or your laptop. I left my Apple ones in the library and unfortunately they quickly grew legs!

These backpacks look kind of cheap to me, plus I doubt the USB charging feature would hold up considering the price. You need to get a backpack that is comfortable to carry around campus loaded with stuff (including your laptop and books) all day! Brands that I see frequently are L.L. Bean, High Sierra, The North Face, Columbia, and occasionally Jansport. It’s probably a good idea to spend around $50 on something you know will hold up! As for charging, I always have a portable charger in my backpack just in case. If you get a long enough cord for the charger, you can throw the device in your backpack and use your phone while walking and charging! Voila!

I actually don’t have any complaints about this second power strip. Mine is longer and has 6 outlets (probably easier to find too), but it really makes no difference. Try to find a power strip with a long cord though! Extension cords usually are not allowed in dorms, so having the option of extending the outlets a little away from the ones in the wall could be a nice option.

I don’t think a Fitbit is essential for college, but it’s definitely a nice touch! I got one for Christmas and was able to use it for the second semester. I liked the option of silent alarms and seeing just how many steps I got walking around campus. However, I would still set an alarm clock or phone as a backup! I slept through my Fitbit alarm once before and thankfully woke up just in time.

I don’t see how a kindle is useful for books. If you don’t want the physical book, buy the ebook/access from the publisher or Amazon (often cheaper than the bookstore). You will appreciate the bigger screen of your laptop after hours of staring!

I do recommend cleaning your phone, but there is no need for a special device. I personally use alcohol wipes, sold by the 100 for $1 at Walmart. They can be used to clean my Fitbit too!

I don’t think buying a huge over the bed rack like this is worth it. Then you need to build it and have something else sticking out into your already limited space! Something like this could be a little more useful if you’re in a suite with a bathroom and need a shelf for toiletries.

If there are things you aren’t currently wearing that are being stored in your dorm, borrow a vacuum from an RA and seal them in some space bags! They shrink down to much smaller than this storage container would ever allow.

Again, I think this cart would be useful in a suite bathroom, but not if you’re sharing one with more people.

I thought the collapsible hamper took up more space than needed since I also have a laundry basket. Either get a laundry bag with a handle or some kind of string to carry it by or use a laundry basket. This hamper can be carried to the laundry room, but it’s kind of tall and awkward for that. It’s much easier to put the dirty clothes directly into whatever you’ll carry to the laundry room!

I rely more and more on Google Calendar with its email reminders and computer and phone push notifications! I also have a small paper calendar, but it’s mostly for decoration. A calendar in your dorm won’t be handy when you need to schedule something with someone out in public!

I don’t think anyone has ever showed up to college without shower shoes. These ones with the holes are a little extra but you do you. I just bought some $1 ones to throw out since I definitely didn’t want to bring those home. Get cheap slippers too! You step in too much to keep shoes like that. Speaking of stepping, I wouldn’t recommend a bath mat. It’ll soak up everyone else’s shower puddles. Gross!

A shower caddy is a must! I completely agree with this one.

I would recommend getting whatever the cheapest, smallest first aid kit you can find is. Again, this one is probably a little extra. You’ll probably be flying through band aids more than anything (lots of blisters from walking) and can easily replace those.

I...don’t know what you’re fixing with a toolkit, unless you bought those shelves you built yourself. Any dorm furniture can be fixed by the maintainence people in your building! Just fill out a work order form.

You absolutely need some kind of reusable water bottles, especially if your campus has tons of refilling stations like mine! A $30 one probably isn’t a good idea though, since you will most likely forget it somewhere and end up crying. Spending $10+ on one and not relying on free ones from activities is a good idea, though.

The tips at the end are pretty cool, so read them!

I hope you all enjoyed this! See you again soon :)

-A

#college #college dorm #dormroom #advice #freshman #roommates #starting college

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