With the excitement of move-in day, many freshmen are too caught up in the chaos to remember to bring a few important items.
When freshmen arrive at Ohio University, they usually remember to bring the basics — bedding, a lanyard and probably a pencil. However, many stock up on move-in day and realize they forgot to add a couple of things to their packing list.
Emerson Milam, a sophomore studying conservation and wildlife, said with thousands of incoming and confused students moving in, it’s easy to forget to eat. She recommends stocking up on snacks to bring prior to settling in.
“Move-in week is really hectic. … You don’t always have time to run and get food,” Milam said. “It’s nice to already have stuff in your room.”
Things that will help you make friends:
Specifically the best type of food to stock up on: candy. Isaiah Khosrof, a sophomore studying business, said having a bowl of candy is a great way to make new friends in the residence halls.
“These two girls came up to my room, and they were giving me candy. Then I was like all right, I’m rolling with you guys,” he said. “We went door-to-door giving people candy, except the Peanut M&M’S because those were mine. Now, I talk to those girls every day.”
To make sure one’s dorm room is an inviting space, Khosrof recommended keeping the door open and having enough seating.
“I wish I would have brought a bean bag chair because when you have company over, it’s annoying to sit at the desk chairs or the bed or to have them stand around,” he said.
To get people’s attention, Michaela Banks advised bringing a portable speaker.
“Every time this girl in my hall has her music on, I go in there,” Banks, a sophomore studying nursing, said. “Speakers invite people to your room like magnetic attraction.”
Dorm room necessities
Some items are needed because dorm rooms do not come with all the luxuries of a home. For instance, Khosrof said he tried to use glassware in the beginning of the year but struggled without a dishwasher or sink nearby. Now, he relies on disposable items.
“I had too many things to do, so my dishes never got washed,” Khosrof said. “Plastic utensils are the best damn things ever.”
The small refrigerators in each dorm room don’t make ice, so Milam recommended bringing anice cube trayfor the mini-freezer.
“No one ever thinks to bring an ice cube tray,” she said. “I use it to make smoothies and bring them to my early classes.”
Printers also won’t be found in residence halls, thus Banks suggested collaborating with a roommate to make sure to get a one for the dorm.
“I had to print out notes for my classes and walking to Alden does not sound appealing,” Banks said. “It’s not expensive to print there, but it’s inconvenient and out of the way.”
Other basics
Banks added that her set of plastic drawers, which she stores her food in, was one of the best investments she made prior to move-in day because it keeps it all in one place.
When dorm room munchies get a little too messy, Khosrof said his Tide To Go Stick worked wonders.
“One time I had just washed my pants, and I spilled spaghetti down my leg,” he said. “If you’re messy as shit, get a To Go Stick.”
To make a dorm room feel like home, Milam recommends buying a small white board to attach to the outside of your door.
“I always drew on other people’s whiteboards, so it would be funny if I had my own,” she said. “I wish I had one.”
@rachel_hartwick
rh375113@ohio.edu
