Going into my first year at Wilfrid Laurier University, I didn’t really know what to expect from residence. I was placed in Conrad Hall in a traditional double room, and while it was a great experience overall, there were definitely a few things that made a huge difference in how comfortable I actually felt day to day. I know a lot of people say to “bring a fan” or “get a mini fridge,” but honestly, they say it for a reason. If you think you won’t need these things, I will argue that you do it if you want to have a good dorm experience.
1. Mini Fridge
This was easily the most important thing I brought. The shared fridges in residence might seem fine at first, but they get gross quickly. Things spill, people don’t clean up, and food definitely goes missing. Having my own mini fridge in my room meant I didn’t have to deal with any of these inconveniences.
One thing I greatly recommend, especially for Laurier dorms, is making sure your mini fridge fits under the built-in desk. Space is limited in Conrad, and being able to tuck the fridge underneath and keep it out of sight makes a huge difference. I actually originally bought a bigger fridge but ended up returning it and getting a smaller one just so it would fit under the desk. It made my room feel way less cluttered and a lot more functional.
2. Three-Tier Utility Cart
This was something I didn’t think I would use as much as I did, but it ended up being one of the most useful things I had. I kept my day-to-day stuff like my makeup bag and main toiletries on the top shelf. In the middle, I had all my hair stuff like my straightener, curling iron, brushes, and products. I kept my shower caddy at the very bottom so I could just grab it and go.
Mine also had hooks on the side where I would hang my microfiber hair towels, which made it even more convenient. It kept everything for the bathroom and hygiene all in one place, which was especially important because I never wanted to leave anything in the shared washrooms.
3. A Carpet (or Rug)
The floors in Conrad are that classic dorm tile, and they’re not great. They feel cold and honestly make the room look a bit worn down. Bringing a carpet completely changed the feel of my space. It made my dorm warmer and way more comfortable, and it helped make the room feel more like home.
Since I was in a double, I had people help lift my bed and I tucked part of my rug underneath it so it wouldn’t spill over onto my roommate’s side. My roommate had more of a runner-style rug, and both of our rugs stopped around the middle of the room, leaving a small walking space in between. It ended up looking really clean, and you could clearly see the difference between each of our sides, which made the space feel a lot more personal.
4. A Good Fan
If you’re in a Laurier dorm without AC, this is a must. I specifically recommend a Woozoo fan; you can get them at Costco. They’re small but surprisingly powerful, which makes them perfect for a dorm. Instead of taking up space with a tall fan, I was able to keep mine on my desk behind me, and it still kept me cool at night. My room got really hot, especially when sleeping, and this made a huge difference.
5. Additional Lighting
The lighting in dorms is very harsh and glaring. The overhead fluorescent lights were never something I ever wanted to have on. I mostly used a warm-toned lamp, which made a big change, and I also used a salt lamp, and majority of my friends used fairy lights.
All those softer lighting options completely changed the feel of the room. It made it way more relaxing and cozier, and honestly just somewhere you actually want to spend time.
Final Thoughts
Living in residence at Laurier, especially in Conrad Hall, was such a memorable experience, but it definitely comes with its challenges. The small things you bring can really impact how comfortable your space feels. These weren’t just nice additions; they were things that genuinely made a difference in my day-to-day life.