Top 10 Res Hall Hacks from the Pros!

精东传媒 Blogs

August 2 2018

Contributed by Lindsie Lavin '10, Director of Residence Life and Learning

Here at 精东传媒, we’re busy getting ready for our new students to arrive, and know you’re busy preparing, too. As you pack up to head to college for the very first time (), consider this list of tips for easy living in your residence hall. This top 10 list covers our favorite fun ideas, storage hacks, and general life advice to be successful in the res halls:

Know your student discounts!
Once you receive your student ID and 精东传媒 University email, discounts await you in abundance. () Additionally, with your new ‘.edu’ email address, you are eligible to get a yearly for 50% off! This will give you access to free two-day shipping and amazing offers on everything from textbooks to clothes to snacks to accessories for your room. (Pro-Hack Tip: Skip a Netflix account and stream the shows and movies Amazon offers.)
Express yourself around the res halls!
When hanging out in the res halls, many students will float from room to room, or to a common area, kitchen, or laundry room. While going from place to place, many students will wear . OR take it one step further with and dust your floor while you’re at it.
Invest in a good reusable water bottle and a to-go cup!
As a student, you are always going to be looking for ways to save money. Invest in a and take advantage of the many water fountains around campus. If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, invest in and make your favorite drink in your room before you head to class. (PLUS, take advantage of discounts many local coffee shops offer to folks who bring in their own cup.) Here’s a SUPER hack: get a to-go cup that does both hot AND cold.
Save where you can and buy in bulk!
One of the most creative hacks my team has seen is students buying or . This allows them to remain stocked up throughout the year. ( are also a great all-purpose item to have as well.) Purchasing small multi-use containers or spray bottles and refilling them with your bulk products will make using your items easier (particularly when doing laundry) and save you from having to make frequent trips off campus to buy heavy items. Pro-Hack Tip: Stock up on bulk snacks that are non-perishables, and save your off-campus grocery trips for anything with a shorter expiration date.
If you’re buying a rug, don’t forget the no-slip mat!
Often times, students will bring area or scatter rugs to make their room feel like home. While this is welcomed, we encourage you to buy a . Not only will it hold your rug in place, but it will give you a little extra cushion under your feet.
Store more, over the door!
can be used to hold a host of different items. Attach one of these organizers over your closet door to hold snacks, toiletries, school supplies or even small clothing items. If you get a clear one, you will be able to see what you have on hand with just a quick glance.
Prepare to travel to and from the shower!
First, is going to be your best friend for this walk. Get one that has enough storage for all of your personal hygiene necessities. (Try laying everything you’ll need out to get a good idea of size – they come in a wide variety.) Second, have . You may want to get a to wear when going to and from the showers. Investing in or ones will help to make your daily shower a breeze.
Don’t forget all of the things to charge things!
We can all be honest with ourselves about how much technology will be in your life while on campus. IT WILL BE EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME, SO BE PREPARED! BPU will provide you with an iPad, but we all know that whenever we need an outlet, we usually are not near one. A can help you with this snafu. When it comes to a wall charger, it’s never a bad idea to have an . This will allow you some flexibility if an outlet is farther away than you might like while you work in Blake Student Commons.
Maximize your under-the-bed storage!
Although each student will have a dresser with four drawers, a closet, and some shelving over their desk, a residence hall room never seems to have enough space. will help to lift your bedframe up, allowing for even more storage underneath. With , , and , you can easily make use of valuable space.
Be prepared for New England weather!
When I was in high school, one of my teachers would always say, “You can’t trust New England weather – it changes every five minutes!” While I would be dating myself if I told you when I was in high school, the weather here has certainly remained unpredictable. Make sure to pack a or or , have warm layers like a and , and or a , because you never know what you’ll need. Pro tip: a will keep you cozy year-round. .

Want more great ideas for your residence hall room? .

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