You may be like me where living on campus is your first taste of independence. While this newfound freedom can be exciting, adjusting to dorm life can be tough, whether it is dealing with isolation or figuring out how to best optimize a smaller space. Here are some awesome tips and tricks I wish I had known earlier in my college experience that make dorm life a little less challenging and a lot more manageable and fun!Â
Tip #1-Â Grocery Shopping- Escape the Dining Hall Rut
Having access to the dining hall can be a perk while living on campus–whether you need a quick meal or study distraction (catch me walking to Einstein’s Bagels multiple times a week!) –but the reality is that the selection can quickly become old.Â
Maybe you are feeling like you are trapped in a campus bubble because you do not have a car, which is totally understandable. Off-campus grocery shopping can still be an option for you, especially if you are looking for other snacks or household goods for less money. Here are some resourceful and fun ways to get to and from the store:
SLO Transit Bus: Swipe with your PolyID card for free bus rides and check bus times on Google Maps or the SLO Transit App.
- 4B SLO Transit Bus has a routine stop by the Performing Arts Center on campus. If you ride this to the Ramona at Palomar bus stop, The California Fresh Market is a 4 minute walk.Â
- 3B SLO Transit Bus has a routine stop by the Kennedy Library on campus. If you ride to the Foothill at University Square bus stop, Lassens Natural Foods is a 2 minute walk.Â
Carpooling: Ride to and from the store for free or split travel costs!Â
- Friends and acquaintances: Definitely reach out to others in your dorm complex to see who has a car! Most often, they will know someone who has a car and is willing to carpool to farther stores like Target or Costco for free or will ask that you chip-in for gas.Â
- Lyft App: A round trip from campus to Smart and Final is about $20 depending where you live on campus and the time of day, although, I recommend going with a friend or a roommate to split the travel costs. For this price, the driver can save you extra steps hauling groceries and drop you off right outside your dorm complex.
Tip #2- Upgrade Your Dorm Life With These Handy Gadgets
These tech gadgets have made it possible to not only survive but literally thrive! They also can be easily shared with your roomates:Â
- Electric Water Kettle- These kettles come in a variety of sizes and boil water in a couple of minutes–forget the stovetop! My roommates and I use this kettle daily to make quick cups of coffee and tea. It can also be used to cook a Cup of Ramen noodles!Â
- Dyson Cordless Vacuum Cleaner- This is one of the handiest investments; this vacuum is not only lightweight and easy to use anytime in the dorm, but it works on hard and carpeted floors.Â
- Tablet- If you are looking for something functional and not as expensive, I recommend getting a Lenovo Tab M11. Having this tablet is great for taking class notes but it has also become my TV in the dorm and wherever I go. I am obsessed with watching shows in between school work.Â
- Subscriptions-
HBO Max offers a 50% off student discount for all currently enrolled university students on their $9.99 monthly subscription with ads so you only pay $4.99.
Hulu also offers a 75% off student discount for all currently enrolled university students on their $9.99 monthly subscription with ads so you only pay $1.99.
Tip #3- Bag it All: Convenience and Organization on the Go!Â
You might be thinking, bags?! I know it is so random, but trust me they are awesome! Something I seriously underestimated are the amount of hills and stairs you will need to climb while living on campus! Bags are great because they can be reused and save a lot of space.Â
Reusable Shopping Bags- Next time you are at a place like TJ Maxx or Trader Joe’s, opt for a few of the large reusable shopping bags! Between all the walking and hauling things in general, they have made my life so much easier:Â
- Ditch your hamper for hauling laundry: Doing laundry can be tricky because the washers and dryers are located outside of the dorm room, either on a different floor or down the hallway. These reusable bags can help you carry your clothes by the shoulder while avoiding the extra weight of a hamper.Â
- Carry post office packages: From my dorm at Cerro Vista, it is about a 10 minute walk to the campus post office. Carrying your packages no longer has to be a balancing act to carry by hand.
Other awesome “bags”- These may seem a little extra but they have helped me stay organized and keep my things protected.Â
- Card-coin purse: I have made the mistake of losing my dorm card key by putting it loosely in my back pocket and had to pay the $20 replacement fee. I purchased a card coin purse from Target and the dorm key fits perfectly inside! This can also slip easily into your backpack during the day or if you are off-campus and need to bring your key in something small and compact.
- Backpack with Laptop Sleeve: I wish I would have gotten one of these backpacks earlier! You may have a class that you take notes on with your computer or perhaps leave your dorm often to study somewhere else. Having a backpack with a laptop sleeve has helped keep it securely in place while going from place to place and it is super easy to grab out.
Ultimately, adjusting to dorm life can be difficult, but these dorm tips and tricks are sure to make your daily life on campus easier and more enjoyable. From tech gadgets that can help enhance your living space to simple hacks that bring comfort, you can live your best dorm life!