Dorming can be scary, especially if you’re a freshman. From move-in to spring break, sometimes the “Skyline Scaries” just don’t go away. Thankfully, I made a guide to help you get set up for success in the dorm.
Let’s begin with the “Do’s” of Dorming:
DO: meet your roommate before your move-in date.
Living with another person will definitely be the hardest part of living on campus. You’ll realize that people do things in their homes that you would never believe. Sometimes the habits are just slightly annoying, but manageable. An example is not taking out the trash. Sometimes it’s something that you just can’t live with. It’s important to get to know your future roomie because we all know the rooming survey is just one big lie.
Here are some questions you can ask them:
“How is your rooming situation at home? Do you share a room with siblings or other family members?”
“How do you honestly feel about cleaning?”
“Do you plan on having guests in our room? How do you feel about me having guests over?”
DO: start your fitness journey at Overlook Fitness Center.
Here’s a little secret: the “Freshman 15” can still happen after you’re a freshman, and it definitely can be more than 15. If walking uphill both ways from Hennings Science Hall East to Hunziker Hall isn’t enough for you, the Overlook Fitness Center is a great way to get some extra exercise in during the week. They have cardio machines such as row machines, stationary bikes, treadmills, stairmasters, and more. If that’s not enough, they have weights and other machines you can use for strength training. The best part is they have a room that’s perfect for stretching, yoga, or even some occasional zumba. While you could go to the Rec Center, Overlook is closer and less populated. Going early in the morning is the best time to go for a quiet workout.
DO: utilize the Wayne Dining Hall website.
Did you know that our very own Wayne Dining Hall has a website? You can find out what’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single week. They also have their hours available. Here’s the best part: all of the nutrition facts are laid out on the website. This way you can plan out your meals and be a little more mindful about what you’re putting into your body. Another plus is that if you aren’t the dining hall’s biggest fan, you can see if your favorite foods are out that week and decide for yourself whether using a meal swipe is worth it. For this information, visit My Dining Hub.
DO: plan out your laundry days.
As simple as it may seem, laundry piles up. Unfortunately, it also piles up for everyone else. I suggest you take a day when you have hours to spare while most people are still in class. For example, if on Tuesdays you don’t have class until 2:00 p.m., plan to do your laundry on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. to give yourself time while the laundry room is empty. While SpeedQueen’s whole purpose is to let you know what is and isn’t available, it’s not always reliable. Trust me, you don’t want to be carrying an overflowing laundry basket all the way downstairs just to be waiting on someone’s three loads of laundry in the only washing machine available.
DO: go to your RA’s events.
At the end of the day, your RAs are here for all of your needs, and they have your best interests in mind. Usually, they’ll hold an event once a week with helpful information or just fun activities like “Guess the Song”. It’s also an amazing way to meet the other residents in your building.
Now that we’ve gone through all of the “Do’s” of dorming, it’s time to dive into the “Don’ts.”
DON’T: stay in your dorm all day.
Although it can be tempting to sleep in and stay inside your comfy dorm all day, it’s still good to get out every once in a while. On days that you don’t have class, take the time to really explore the campus. Visit the relaxation center or play some pool down at the arcade. Even if you get out just to do some work in the student center, make sure that you dedicate some time to leaving the dorm. During the week, you can even check which events or club meetings are happening around campus.
DON’T: overpack.
New semester, spring break, or even a weekend trip home means you’re bringing in a new haul to your dorm. But you must stop and think: “Do I really need this many pairs of jeans?” I would say stick to the basics. Bring clothes you’ll need for class or work, pajamas/comfy clothes, workout clothes, and maybe some “going out” tops. It might even be smart to bring home clothes or objects you’ve noticed you haven’t worn or used all year. I know you think you need all of those extra t-shirts “just in case,” but trust me, you really don’t. So save yourself the struggle of moving seven bags of clothes to your car on move-out day, and pack lightly.
DON’T: underestimate the commute to class.
Just because you live on campus, does NOT mean you can’t be late to class. Don’t forget that even a simple walk from your dorm room to class can take 10 minutes or longer, depending on where you live and where your building is. Don’t take your chances with our uphill-both-ways campus, and make sure you leave at least 30 minutes before your class begins. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
DON’T: take your chances with Lot six.
One of the many great things about William Paterson is that parking is free. Unfortunately, that means it fills up quickly. Even though the snow’s currently covering most of the parking spots, it’s a problem all year-round. If you’re coming in late, you’ll most likely have a long walk to get back to your dorm. Since there’s nothing you can really do about it, just make sure you’re prepared to walk a long distance uphill.
DON’T: treat the 24-hour quiet period as a suggestion.
During finals, there is a 24-hour quiet period in the dorm buildings enforced by the RAs. It’s a great opportunity for residents to get work done in a quiet and peaceful environment. However, not everybody likes to follow this rule. While finals can be an exciting time and you may want to party all night long, some majors require more extensive work. Please be mindful of your fellow residents and avoid causing a ruckus.
It’s up to you whether or not you want to take my advice. From my personal experience, this is what I did or wish I had done more throughout my time living on campus.
