Living
Tips to solve dorm room dilemmas
Sunday, 29 July 2012 by Keith Bahlmann
From tiny closets to rude roommates, dormitory living can have its pitfalls. But students can get a handle on some dorm room dilemmas even before setting foot on campus this fall.
These great tips will help make the dorm room or off-campus apartment experience more comfortable:
Shopping Prep
Avoid purchasing items the school provides or prohibits. Find your school's do's and don'ts at www.bedbathandbeyond.com/shopforcollege, by selecting "Find My College."
Use free tools like a checklist or online registry to coordinate with future roommates on styles, colors and who will be bringing what items for community use.
Opt for retailers that have college students in mind this time of year and are offering special services.
For example, Bed Bath & Beyond's free service, "Shop Here, Pick up There," lets students shop for dorm room essentials at a store near home and pick up everything at a store near campus. Use their college checklist and take advantage of in-store experts to stay organized and within budget.
"Using smart resources for college-bound students can make a potentially challenging living situation more comfortable," says Jessica Joyce, a spokesperson for the retailer.
Maximize Space
Space is limited in the dorms. Create space under the bed, over the door and in the closet. Bed risers, storage cubes and rolling drawer carts are simple ways to cram all that stuff in small spaces.
Double hanging rods and ultra slim hangers with accessory bars, like Real Simple's Slimline Hangers, can maximize closets.
Shower & Primp
Due to lines in the community bathroom, students should never save showering until the last minute.
Use a shower caddy to easily transport toiletries down the hall. Remember, this isn't a private spa, bring a bathrobe and flip flops for trips to the shower.
Girls should bring essential hair styling tools like the Conair Infiti Pro Hair Dryer and You Wave Ultra Waver. Guys should bring their own shavers like the Philips Norelco Style Shaver to look fresh for class.
Bed Guide 101
A great night's sleep is crucial to a young scholar. Night owls and morning larks alike will find a friend in ear plugs and sleep masks to shut out light and sound from roommates.
Your Technology
Remember, outlets are limited in most dorm rooms, so consider streamlining with multi-purpose gadgets. The iHome Clock Radio for example lets you listen to iPods, iPhones, or the radio, set an alarm for class, or charge devices.
Check out www.bedbathandbeyond.com/shopforcollege for more tips on solving dorm room woes.
