dorm life tips

Design Your Dorm presents a series of back to school blogs. Check out our 3-D dorm room designer, to see and design your dorm before move in day.

Moving into the dorms. Going to your first college class. This is a very exciting time for college freshmen across the country. So before move in day here is some advice on how to meet people:

Say Hi

Though this seems really simple, it is often the hardest thing to do. It is especially important the first day in the dorms. Even if it's a bit awkward, take a second to remember that everybody feels just like you, and then say, "Hi."

Join a Study Group

Study groups are a great way to meet new people. If you are lucky enough to meet smart people you will make new friends and make your life at college that much easier.

Rush a Fraternity/Sorority

The Greek system is an excellent way to meet new people. It is not right for everyone, but if you are curious we recommend that you rush. At most universities fraternities and sororities are built-in social networks, that get you out from life in the dorms.

[ Continue reading How To Meet People When You Move Into College → ]

Senior year of college, I decided to be an RA. Yep, a dorm-rule-abiding-camp-counselor-wannabe-please-everyone-just-get-along resident assistant.

Not because I love summer camp or crafts. Because I don't. In fact, the closest I've been to camp is watching Wet Hot American Summer. But, I thought it would be a great way to save some money and perhaps offer a little guidance to 30 bright-eyed and bushy tailed freshman. After all, it wasn't long ago that I happened to be one.

As a freshman, and from my freshman perspective, I remember thinking I was pretty sweet. I knew where the cool parties were. I knew where to purchase peach schnapps. And I knew it tasted best when mixed with sprite and orange juice from the 5th floor vending machine. I knew every vespa-driving Dominos delivery man by name and would plead a convincing case for why they should give me a free cheesy bread at 3AM. After all, I was broke. I had brunch every Sunday at the cafeteria with my girlfriends to recount our weekend drama, or what we could remember of it. And I had a full wardrobe of Wet Seal "going out" tops. I had life pretty much figured out...

Fast-forward to senior year and I had a very different perspective. I still knew where the cool parties were, but I opted for cooler bars. And while I did frequent some house parties, there tended to be a lot more conversation and a lot less T-Pain. I not only knew where to purchase peach schnapps, but I also knew never to drink that crap. I no longer knew the Dominos delivery men and when I did get a whiff of cheesy bread, I was quickly reminded of 60 minute elliptical sessions. I was no longer broke, in fact, I was tending bar and making close to $300 per night. My classless sex-in-the-city brunches had been replaced by mimosas with my boyfriend. And my wardrobe now contained mostly casual chic pieces, an effort that Stacey London and Clinton Kelly would certainly applaud.

Lucky for the 30 freshman that came under my wing, I could bestow upon them three years of college wisdom. Here are some tips I gave them:

[ Continue reading Lessons Learned From Reliving Freshman Year... As a Senior RA → ]