After spending almost three terms on SFU residence in two different buildings, I have personally had my ups and downs with campus life. Here, I have compiled a list of advice for those who are currently living on campus and want to improve their experience, and for new students coming into residence for the first time.
1. Build a comfy bed
In order to perform your best on tests and exams, you will need to sleep enough. Psychologists recommend 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night for teenagers, so it is important that students have a good night’s sleep. In order to accomplish this, try placing a memory foam mattress on top of your basic one. This will help you fall asleep faster, and even ease back pain for some!
2. Keep it clean
The key to a functional living space is a clean living space. Don’t forget to bring anti-bacterial wipes, which can be used to wipe the counters, shelves, and even the floors. They will make your room smell fresh and help keep germs away.
3. Keep it organized
In addition to a clean dorm room, you will also want an organized one. You can accomplish this by doing a Wal-Mart or Bed Bath & Beyond haul before moving in to pick up some creative organizational solutions, as well as general storage.
4. Stay active
Take advantage of your gym membership, which is automatically included in your tuition fees. The gym and exercise classes (some of them free for residents) are just steps from your door! It is important that university students engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to stay healthy. If you don’t feel like going outside, roll out a yoga mat in your dorm room and watch a follow-along YouTube workout to keep you motivated.
5. Remind yourself of home
Moving into residence is often the first time students find themselves away from their families for long periods of time. In order to combat homesickness, try bringing along a few trinkets from your room at home to make you feel comfortable. Another great option is to keep your dorm stocked up on some of your favourite comfort foods that the dining hall may not have. I recommend pre-bagged popcorn, as it is easy to pop in the microwave and requires no clean up.
6. Study elsewhere
It can get a little depressing living in super small dorm rooms all alone, and with readings piling up, it is difficult to find time for fun. Try bringing your readings somewhere else on campus—or even off campus! This way, you can still be productive, just with a refreshing change of scenery. It may even help you focus better to surround yourself with other students hard at work on campus or in coffee shops.
7. Exercise care and love
Okay, I know this tip sounds a bit silly, but it truly does make campus life better. Living on campus means you are totally surrounded by school 24/7, so focusing your attention on something as simple as a plant can brighten your day, especially if you miss your pets from home! Most dorms do not allow pets on campus, so a plant is the next best thing to care for.
8. Plan your week
This last piece of advice may be the most important. Although campus life can be a little gloomy for some, others may find it to be overwhelmingly social. For these individuals especially (although this tip applies to everyone), I suggest posting a white board in your dorm room to keep track of the tasks on your “to-do list” for the week. When you finish them, erase them (which is the best feeling in the world)! In addition, a plain old calendar is extremely useful to keep your big assignments organized. At the beginning of the semester, write down when everything is due, and that way you won’t have to stress.