<p>I decided to post this in the parents form because I am sure you handle some of my questions before. Also I apologize for any spelling or grammar mistakes I am on my phone. Well let me start by explaining I did poorly in high school so after graduated in 2012 I did a year at a community college and got accepted to my dream school for the coming fall. I move in to my dorm next Tuesday even though I am 20 this will be the first time I been away from home. What are some tips to get use to living in a dorm and being away from home? What should I bring to my dorm? I am also shy so I am nervous about not fitting in there. What should you do on move in day? How can you decorate your dorm without losing a lot of space? I am super nervous I leave next week any help and advice would be greatly appreciated well thank you ahead of time for taking the time to read this :)</p>
<p>You’d likely do better in the College Life forum. But there’s nothing to be nervous about, this is FUN. And you don’t have to have your room perfect right away. You can see what you need after you move in. It won’t be the end of the world if you do. I’m absolutely sure there are SCADS of threads on this if you use SEARCH and TONS of lists and suggestions if you google. Congrats on your acceptance!</p>
<p>Bedding (and usually you need the extra long single sheets, check.)
foam or eggcrate type mattress cover for cushioning
Couple of throw pillows (optional)
afgan
bath towels
Bathrobe for going to the shower
slippers
Shower shoes or flip flops
shower tote for toiletries
a power strip
a popup hamper
under bed storage containers
small trash can
desk supplies, scissors, tape
mini fridge, if you can
possibly a few bowls, spoons, cups
a few photos of family and friends</p>
<p>On move in day. Move in. Meet roommate. Walk around your floor and say hi to others moving in. Go to scheduled and optional events. Relax.</p>
<p>See if there’s a FB page for incoming students. See if the beds require special sized sheets. You’ll be fine. Even though you’re 20, you’ll be with many many first timers. See it as an adventure, not something to dread. You don’t need a billion friends – you’ll never have time for them all anyways. Be friendly, open to exploration, try new groups. Enjoy.</p>
<p>Not only are there Facebook pages for incoming students, but some dorms have Facebook pages for separate floors, allowing you to connect with other students even before you get to campus. Honestly, I wouldn’t even worry about your age and try not to even mention it unless asked. What seems more important is the fact that you were accepted to your dream school. Good luck.</p>
<p>I wasn’t really worried about my age that much just nervous about living in a dorm for the first time</p>
<p>You’ll learn about compromise- when to yield and when to speak up. You’ll get used to a different level of sounds around you. And certainly more activities to choose than in your room at home. Make your space comfy. Even if you don’t have much space, you can bring bedding you like. Good luck.</p>
<p>Read and follow the move-in directions.</p>
<p>For example, if they say that everything should be labeled with your name and room number, do it. This usually means that there are move-in helpers who will snatch your stuff and deliver it to your room. Some schools set up systems like this because they have little parking near the dorms. If you have no labels on your things, you will spend all day wandering the halls searching for them. You have better things to do.</p>
<p>Fine advice from BrownParent. I can’t think of anything else to add, except that you might want to share your new address with family and friends as soon as possible. I am sure they’ll want to send you notes to cure any homesickness and give you a boost when you need one. People do appreciate receiving letters and postcards, still.</p>
<p>Good luck. I suggest you go to as many dorm/school activities as possible during orientation/1st few weeks. Everyone is new and this is a great time to say hi and meet other students.
Bring some tools and duct tape, let others know you are willing to share them.</p>
<p>Great advice. Also, remember that everyone is as nervous as you are. And also that this is a great chance to “reinvent” yourself if you so desire. I was painfully shy in high school, but when I got to college I decided I was not going to be that way anymore. So I forced myself to be more outgoing. You will do great!</p>
<p>It might be kind of late to ask this, but do you have contact information for your roommate? If so, get in touch with them before move in date; it might make breaking the ice a bit easier. Might be a good time to see if they’d be interested in sharing the cost of renting a small micro/fridge, a staple in most dorm rooms, but you usually have to rent them.</p>
<p>Both of my daughters had hall mates that were 2 years younger than them ( there are kids that go to college at 15, 16). i think that would be alot harder than being 20. i also would not keep mentioning your age. age is not as important as all of you are in it together as a new experience. i second the ‘get out of your room and meet as many people as you can’. you will connect right away with a couple of them and it does not have to be your roommate. make sure you sign up for activities that are offered.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to give me advice on this subject I do appreciate it :)</p>
<p>@rockymtnhigh I use to be worried about my age but I wasn’t really put any focus on it right now because it doesn’t bother me the main thing I was asking was advice on dorm life. I put my age because I was explaining everything also I only mention my age once on here so I didn’t really mention and that much I was just explaining everything from my I went to community college. My age isn’t my issue it’s just the nerves of leaving for college soon. But thank you for some of the advice.</p>
<p>@terwit I got my roommate information in early July I have two I spoken to one of them on several occasions I just haven’t been able to reach my second roommate yet</p>
<p>@sally305 thanks for the advice and encouragement and it’s good to know I am not the only one who is going to college shy and your right college is different so I will try and be more outgoing thanks again for the advice :)</p>
<p>Best time to start a new school is in the fall when they have all of the new student activities. Learning curve for all. Do be sure you know how to do laundry and other normal things some still have their mothers do. Do remember you will have limited space. Read the “what to bring” lists from your dorm. Do not be afraid to speak up if/when a roommate wants to decorate in a style you aren’t in favor of or can’t afford. Do NOT state your age unless asked (my son was 16 for several months his first semester)- it has no bearing in the dorm or classroom. You will not be the only transfer student new to the campus- take advantage of any events offered by your school for that.</p>
<p>Relax and enjoy the experience. You have an advantage over the fresh from HS students- you know about college life more than they do. Do realize that many early “friendships”, time spent with others will evolve as students get to know the campus and meet peers in classes. Do not worry if you and your roommate are not friends and only seem to share the room- that can be a good thing. All you have to do is get along with each other, you do not have to spend time together.</p>
<p>@wis75 I really don’t know why some of the post keeps referring to my age or me saying my age that isn’t the problem the main reason for the post is asking on how to deal with dorm life. I am not asking how to handle my age or if I should tell others my age and like I put in other post in this thread I am not worried about my age and I’m not going to really wait until someone ask me my age because it’s not a big deal if people know if I am 20 or not so please stop referring to or making the issue my age I am asking advice concerning from life I do not care about my age or if people know about its NOT a issue to me.</p>
<p>@wis75 and like explain to a other post I put my age just to explain the whole situation from where I stand after high school graduated to my year at a community college I do not care about my age this thread is not about that it’s about dealing with dorm life not dealing with my age I don’t really understand how some of you me putting my age here once as me saying it’s a issue when it’s not</p>
<p>LNoirelle - I think people are commenting on your age because you included it in your original post, so we thought it was something you thought was important that we know about. Had you not mentioned it at all, most of us would have deducted that you were likely in the 19-20 year old range, and not said a thing in the reply posts.</p>