<p>I'll be attending a school that has a different area code than my current location. Should I get a phone number with the new area code (I'll be attending the school for 6 years and I hate for every call from fellow students to be long distance, but at the same time, I hate for calls home to be long distance).</p>
<p>Also, for my communial bathroom, I plan on getting a tote. Would travel sized bottles be better to carry in it?</p>
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<li><p>Possibly switch cell phone plans. That way, you'll have roaming for calling home. I don't think getting a new phone is necessary, though it is quite considerate.</p></li>
<li><p>From sleepaway camp experience, that works. But, you could just get one of those plastic bathroom organizers that go for $20 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.</p></li>
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<li>Nobody I know at school has changed their phone number. What service provider do you have? I have Verizon w/ a nationwide plan (love to travel) and free Verizon-to-Verizon minutes, among other plan features. Other companies have similar options and IMO it's totally worth the extra cost, if there is an extra cost. My roommate is from Oregon (we're in Iowa) and we call each other quite a bit and it doesn't affect our phone bills. </li>
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<p>PS--"Long distance" can apply w/in an area code as well. And I'm not aware of cell phones have long distance charges...there are roaming charges, but unless I'm missing something, no LD charges. Back to the point, when I use my phone at home (land line), I can call a friend with the same area code in a town 15 miles away and be charged LD rates. I can use my cell and call same friend, no extra charge.</p>
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<li>Never had a communal shower--suite freshman year, apt this year--but most people I know have a tote a little smaller than a shoebox I'd guess that holds a razor, soap, loofa thing, regular size shampoo and conditioner, etc.</li>
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<p>um....how much does your book bag/back pack way and you don't want to ahve to get shampoo at the store all the time....you are carrying it down the hall....</p>
<p>I got a plastic tote (just in case... make sure it has holes, so water could drain from the tote) at a dollar store and it works well. I buy/use regular-sized bottles of shampoo and body wash. I don't find it very heavy.</p>
<p>No one I know changed their phone number either. I know many people who have different area codes than mine. There's no problem?</p>
<p>Most people don't even remember phone numbers anymore nowadays. You just throw it in the contact list and then just look them up whenever you want to call. Now I'm so dependent upon that I don't know how I ever remembered even 20 different phone numbers. :(</p>
<p>These days most people use cell phones and most cell phone plans cost the same (or use mins the same) regardless of where in the country you call so the area code doesn't make much difference.</p>
<p>A sturdy, colorful small plastic bucket (approx. 1-2 gallon size, not a huge one) with a wire handle works well for carrying toiletries back and forth to communal showers. Most full size bottles will still fit in there together and they are actually a bit more roomy than the other kinds of rectangular totes. These easily slide into a smaller space on a shelf for inbetween-use storage. </p>
<p>Some communal showers will have a metal hook outside the curtain in the shower cubical for hanging clothes. A small bucket can hang there as well which eliminates stuff getting wet. </p>
<p>This may be a more inexpensive option for those who are on a tighter budget with dorm supplies.</p>
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<li><p>You shouldn't need to change your number, but you'll have to check your cell phone provider/plan. Many offer free long-distance, no roaming within the state, free calls to people with the same provider, or something like that. Your school will likely be able to let you know what their most popular provider is.</p></li>
<li><p>You don't need to buy travel-sized products. The cost will really add up. At absolute max, you might be carrying around 5 bottles, a loofah, and a razor. You won't likely have to go any further than the end of the hall, at the 'worst.' You'll be fine. If you have a problem, buy the smaller containers at a place like Target (you can get them kind of halfway between 'travel' and 'normal' bottle size), then buy economy sized products and use them to refill your own lighter containers. But really, it shouldn't be an issue.</p></li>
<li><p>If you do use a bucket, find a way to punch a few small holes in the bottom.</p></li>
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