Soon you’ll be packing your bags for college. But packing them with what? Countless freshmen arrive at the dorms lugging massive boxes and suitcases only to discover that they brought too much or forgot something. By bringing the right items with you, you’ll get a good start on the school year without worrying about buying or returning things. What to Wear ...

I heard all the roommate stories before I started college. The majority of them were about how awful roommates were and how it was impossible to get along. I had a major case of roommate phobia before I started college and I was convinced that I would get a psychopath for a roommate. To my surprise, my roommate and I became ...

Great! You've finally found a few available apartments and you've made an appointment to take a look. But what should you look for? When you're looking for the perfect apartment for school, keep these questions in mind. They'll not only make the process more organized but also find a place that meets your academic, social, and personal needs. Payments How much ...

Where else can you make lasting friendships, have too many all-nighters and eat lots of ramen all under one roof? Dorms add a lot to the college experience, giving you the opportunity to live with students who are going through the same things you are. Know what to expect once you move in and get the most out of your dorm ...

With the start of the school year approaching, some of you may be meeting your new roommates for the first time in just a few weeks. And while most colleges go through an extensive matching game to find the perfect roommate for you, sometimes they miss the mark. While bad roommates seem torturous at the time, they make for a great ...

There’s at least one in every college dorm. From mediating arguments between clashing roommates to diffusing finals week stress, they look out for their residents. They're Resident Assistants, more commonly known as RAs, and they're an integral part of dorm life. An Uncommon Job An RA is usually in charge of a floor or a wing of residents. Their responsibilities ...

Incoming college freshman, understandably nervous about their future living arrangements, learn their roommate assignments and promptly log on their Facebook accounts to investigate their future roommates. Upon finding information they find favorable or, perhaps even, unfavorable, they began to immediately build friendships or put in for roommate changes, often without even meeting the assigned roommate.[gate] While this may seem like a ...

Heading back to school? Looking for gear to trick out your dorm room or off-campus apartment? Look no further. At the FastWeb Shop you'll find electronics, text books, bed and bath essentials, as well as the school supplies you'll use to, you know, go to class. Everything you need to start the year off right. Not sure what to bring to ...

The beginning of Laura Maxwell's experience at William Woods University was a little more stressful than she expected - thanks to a messy roommate. Her roommate's closet was a landfill spilling into the middle of the floor constantly threatening to take over the room. An ever-growing mound of crunchy laundry remained unwashed for weeks at a time and her shoes smelled ...

This nautical inspired dorm room was created on Polyvore.

I clearly remember when I received my housing information packet in the mail. I opened up the thick envelope and out spilled about 10 sheets of tri-folded paper. I sorted through the blue, gold and pink sheets until I found the stark white letterhead: my designated room and roommates. The power of that one sheet of paper must not be downplayed. ...

So here you are post graduation and with the arrival of the name and contact info of your new college roommate you’re already thinking (and worrying!) about going back. What if you two are nothing alike? What if all they do is sleep? What if they never sleep? What if you hate him/her? What if he/she hates you? Of course you’ve ...

The first week of college College isn't so bad. Actually, it's pretty awesome. I've been here for about a week. I honestly thought I would miss home like crazy and cry my eyes out every day. But I don't. Guess I'm too busy having fun and experiencing new things. I'm taking about 15 hours this semester (5 classes) and the course ...

First semester seemed to go well but, once second semester rolls around, things can go awry in an instant. Don't get too discouraged, it's difficult to live with anyone and a stranger can be even more of a challenge. There are ways to work out your issues easily and effectively. Use the following tips as guidelines to alleviate common roommate issues ...

This dramatic dorm room idea was created on Polyvore.

Being on your own and away from your family can be nerve-wrecking, especially if you’re not feeling well or you’ve got an issue that needs resolving. Luckily, colleges have you covered with various school services so that, no matter what the situation, you are not alone! Whether your issue is personal, health-related, a financial struggle or social, there’s likely somewhere on ...

I’m sitting on a red leather couch. There are two yellow Labradors, Sophie and Lucy, snoring at my feet, a warm wood stove and the Redskins game sounding in the background. Home. There are a lot of things wrong with this place, sure. The couch is garish in color and sticky in nature, especially in summer when the slightest drop ...

The highways and byways are congested with overloaded hatchbacks and rental trucks making their way to State U this time of year. Whether your ride back to college is a Buick you inherited from gramps or one of those orange-and-white moving trucks from the corner gas station, you've got the same challenge: maximizing the space and arriving without damaging the vehicle ...

Ali is finishing her freshman year at a large state university in the Midwest. The envelope with my roommate assignment arrived before my high school graduation and suddenly, college was a real thing. When Haley (Ed. note: names have been changed) first called me, she seemed like a nice girl. She was excited for us to be great friends and for ...