Недавние выпускники: что нужно в общежитии (из сегодняшней газеты Washington Post)
Dorm Warnings
College Beckons, and So Do the Stores. Here's What You Really Need.
The come-ons start early. Even before high school diplomas have been printed, retailers begin their annual sales push, telling college kids what they need for life in the dorm.
Judging by the recommendations from Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, the Container Store and so, so many others, entering freshmen need to buy, buy, buy. Every mini fridge, lava lamp, shower caddy and beanbag chair is touted as a survival requirement.
We took a reality check, consulting four Washington Post summer interns who finished college just a few months ago. Forget what the stores say. Forget what your mom says. Heed the wisdom of people who somehow graduated without matching sheets and comforter or a cordless blender.
We've got advice for those hoping to create their dorm's social gathering spot, and for separating the necessary from the needless on back-to-school shopping lists. We discover that the hardware store might be the place to find the most useful stuff, and even suggest that -- shocker -- you wait to buy things until after you arrive on campus and see your room.
In other words, we'll tell you what you really need. And don't.
Think Ahead, Pack Light, Then Pack Even Lighter
It was too far to drive back and forth from home to school, so I was confined to two checked bags, a carry-on suitcase and whatever I bought after I arrived. My advice is twofold: Live with less stuff, and organize what you already have so you don't buy anything unnecessary. After packing, moving, unpacking and repacking, I learned to scale back.
Even if you are close enough to drive to school, limiting what you pack will ease the hectic freshman move-in days. Plus, the cute upperclassman who (with luck) helps you carry your boxes up four flights of stairs will thank you for packing light.
In my case, the bulk of what I packed was clothes, which have a way of taking over the room because closet space is nonexistent in dorms. To keep the mess at a minimum, I rotated the clothes I had at school by season. When I went home for Thanksgiving, I'd bring back my coats before winter began. During spring break, I'd bring sweaters home and return with summer clothes.
Before you clear out Target's inventory of portable shelving, wait until you actually see your room. Dorm rooms are notoriously tiny, and you'll probably have to share that space. During the summer, talk with your future roommate about who will bring more expensive things, such as a mini fridge or a television, so you won't end up with two of everything. It's probably best not to split the cost of these things, because that will raise the issue of who gets to keep them at the end of the year.
While it's impossible to predict what new technology will be invented in the next four years, try to be forward-thinking in your purchases. I got a stereo, and then realized that my laptop served as both word processor and music player. I also insisted on getting a computer with a drive for floppy disks (remember those?), which obviously became useless rather quickly.
There are lots of other items you can hold off on buying until you get to campus. This is America. There's a CVS on every corner. You can buy shampoo when you need it.
Remember that everything in your room has to be stored (either on campus or elsewhere) or shipped home for the summer, which can get expensive. Also keep in mind that you have to repack everything at the end of the year, so as important as it is to decorate your room, too many accessories make moving out more difficult.
College is great practice for your first few years in the real world, when you might have to move quickly, and frequently, for internships or jobs. I just moved two months ago, and managed to fit everything into my small studio apartment in Logan Circle.
The Must-Haves and the You-Must-Be-Kiddings
Sheet Sets
Check first, but most dorms use extra-long twin sheets.
Mattress Pad
This can help soften what will undoubtedly be a cheap and uncomfortable mattress. Mine had a plastic cover on it, but an eggshell pad really helped.
Complete Bed Ensemble
Skip the package deal. You definitely don't need the extra throw pillows, and the cutesy matching patterns will sicken your roommate.
Down Comforter
It's more expensive than a plain comforter, but worth the investment for the extra comfort factor.
Blanket
Probably overkill for your bed if you have a down comforter, but I kept one around for guests.
Bed Pillows
I got cheap ones and had to replace them within a year. The extra money to buy decent ones will be well spent.
Pillow Protectors
Completely unnecessary.
Backrest
Some people found these helpful for reading, but I always thought they were stiff and uncomfortable.
Alarm Clock/Clock Radio
This is obvious. Spending extra money to get one that played CDs made me much cheerier in the morning than the mechanical beep would have.
Accent/Area Rugs
They'll be cheap and readily available around campus, so wait until you know whether your room is carpeted or has cold tile like mine did.
Toss Pillows
The more extras like this you have in your room, the more cluttered it will feel.
Bed Elevators
These can be fantastic if you need extra storage space, but not all dorm beds will work with them.
Fan
If your dorm isn't air-conditioned, this is a must.
Shower Tote
You'll definitely need one of these. Open baskets work better than the ones with all the different compartments.
Electric Toothbrush
Nine out of 10 dentists like them, but you can't leave them sitting in a communal bathroom.
First-Aid Kit
Great idea. I was always the one knocking on doors looking for a Band-Aid.
Flip-Flops
Don't ever step in a shower at college without them. I'm serious.
Hamper
Don't get fancy; the cheap ones that stand up but fold flat are best.
Iron
My mother made me get one, and I used it once in four years.
Ironing Board
It'll take up way too much room. Part of college is learning to be resourceful, so if you must iron, use your desk or the floor.
Drying Rack
The back of a desk chair can work wonders.
Electric Razor
Every guy I knew said this was a huge help. Several of my friends kept them in their backpacks and shaved while walking to class.
Mugs
Get a couple of nice ceramic ones for late-night study sessions and the insulated travel variety for that 9 a.m. class.
Coffee Maker
Typically, anything with an open heating coil isn't allowed in your room. Hope the dining hall coffee isn't too terrible.
Blender
You definitely won't have the room or the time to use major appliances. Wait until you have your first apartment.
Can Opener
Buy one that has a bottle opener attached -- to use after your 21st birthday, of course.
Water Bottle
Everybody on campus will have a Nalgene-style bottle, and it's definitely cheaper than buying bottled water. To fit in completely, put a bumper sticker on yours advocating your favorite cause.
Computer Chair
The smartest decision I made freshman year was buying a padded desk chair for about $50.
Lap Desk
It will only tempt you to study in bed -- always a bad idea.
Backpack/Messenger Bag
Consider investing in a smaller one than you used in high school, since you'll no longer have to carry all your books at once.
Desk Lamp
Test several before you buy one to make sure the light isn't too harsh.
Floor Lamp
Garish fluorescent lighting is standard in dorm rooms, so definitely buy one of these. But keep in mind that most dorms outlaw halogen because it's a fire hazard.
Surge Protector
You'll definitely need one by the time you plug in your computer, printer, speakers, alarm clock, lamps, etc.
Lounging Chair
My best discovery was a "butterfly chair" for $10 or so. It folded up in the corner when I wasn't using it.
Foot Locker
They're heavy and hard to store. Opt for a rolling suitcase instead.
CD/DVD Storage
Don't try to display your CD collection on a shelf or rack. Keep them all stored in a binder instead or just burn your music onto your computer.
Computer/TV Shelf
If you have a TV, it's easiest to put it on top of the refrigerator or bookshelf.
Flashlight
Another item that mothers think you need, but I can't imagine why. It's college, not camp.
Posters
You'll need some, but unless you want your room to look like everyone else's, stay away from the one from "Pulp Fiction," the one with John Belushi in the "College" sweatshirt, the one from "Abbey Road," and Van Gogh's "Starry Night." You'll thank me when three people on your floor have the same ones.
Forget Throw Pillows, Bring the Toolbox
After you max out at Linens 'n Things, it's time to hit the real dorm saver: your neighborhood hardware store.
I spent my four years in college in a house, as we call dorms at Smith College, a school where some residence halls were constructed before World War II. Loved: hardwood floors, bay windows, walk-in closets. Hated: lack of shelving; awkwardly located cable, Internet and electrical outlets; bad lighting.
So what do you really need to bring to college? A hammer and duct tape. Armed with these basic tools, you can adapt any dorm room to your needs.
You'll need a hammer to hang those picture frames, Christmas lights and tapestries (check to see whether college rules allow nails in the walls). And no, those bookshelves from Ikea don't just snap together. Don't be put off by visions of rusty, unwieldy tools. Some tools are even designed for women -- lightweight, easy-to-use, and even cute, gadgets that the fashionistas among us would be proud to wield.
Duct tape will come in handy for strapping down cords across your room so that you and your roommate aren't living in a daily obstacle course. It's also strong enough to hold up posters and reinforce dorm-room furniture that was probably there when your parents were in college.
You'll need plenty of lighting to brighten up your space, particularly in those long winter months. At the hardware store, you can pick up inexpensive desk lamps and clip-on lights that can brighten up a closet or a corner. You'll also want to grab a few extension cords. Also, take advantage of wall space with over-the-door and stick-on hooks. They're easy to install and even easier to remove at the end of the year.
Don't forget: If you're flying to college, check or ship your tools (or wait to buy them when you arrive). If you attempt to board a plane with them, chances are they won't make it to campus.
How to Make Your Room the Place to Be
For party animals, budding socialites or just plain friendly people heading off to college, here are some tips to turn your dorm into a destination room.
· A serious sound system is a must for the perfect party room. Don't waste money (and space) on bulky components. Mini-speakers connecting to your laptop or iPod will do the trick.
· A television and DVD player.
· Have ample seating. For a common area, a couch or futon. If space is really tight, fold-up camping chairs or floor pillows. No need to be a big spender. Strike a balance between Salvation Army and Urban Outfitters.
· A rug and a pad underneath makes a hard (and often cold) floor more inviting.
· Get a coffee table and subscribe to a few magazines, such as Maxim or Rolling Stone.
· Install a mini basketball hoop or dart board, and add a poker set or a card game that's fun for a crowd, such as Apples to Apples.
· Buy or rent a refrigerator to store drinks, and have plenty of plastic cups.
· Overhead lighting can kill a party mood, so shut off the fluorescent lights and hang strings of Christmas or party lights.
· Everybody can buy generic posters, but the best walls are decorated with vintage posters, flags and unusual tapestries.
College Beckons, and So Do the Stores. Here's What You Really Need.
The come-ons start early. Even before high school diplomas have been printed, retailers begin their annual sales push, telling college kids what they need for life in the dorm.
Judging by the recommendations from Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, the Container Store and so, so many others, entering freshmen need to buy, buy, buy. Every mini fridge, lava lamp, shower caddy and beanbag chair is touted as a survival requirement.
We took a reality check, consulting four Washington Post summer interns who finished college just a few months ago. Forget what the stores say. Forget what your mom says. Heed the wisdom of people who somehow graduated without matching sheets and comforter or a cordless blender.
We've got advice for those hoping to create their dorm's social gathering spot, and for separating the necessary from the needless on back-to-school shopping lists. We discover that the hardware store might be the place to find the most useful stuff, and even suggest that -- shocker -- you wait to buy things until after you arrive on campus and see your room.
In other words, we'll tell you what you really need. And don't.
Think Ahead, Pack Light, Then Pack Even Lighter
It was too far to drive back and forth from home to school, so I was confined to two checked bags, a carry-on suitcase and whatever I bought after I arrived. My advice is twofold: Live with less stuff, and organize what you already have so you don't buy anything unnecessary. After packing, moving, unpacking and repacking, I learned to scale back.
Even if you are close enough to drive to school, limiting what you pack will ease the hectic freshman move-in days. Plus, the cute upperclassman who (with luck) helps you carry your boxes up four flights of stairs will thank you for packing light.
In my case, the bulk of what I packed was clothes, which have a way of taking over the room because closet space is nonexistent in dorms. To keep the mess at a minimum, I rotated the clothes I had at school by season. When I went home for Thanksgiving, I'd bring back my coats before winter began. During spring break, I'd bring sweaters home and return with summer clothes.
Before you clear out Target's inventory of portable shelving, wait until you actually see your room. Dorm rooms are notoriously tiny, and you'll probably have to share that space. During the summer, talk with your future roommate about who will bring more expensive things, such as a mini fridge or a television, so you won't end up with two of everything. It's probably best not to split the cost of these things, because that will raise the issue of who gets to keep them at the end of the year.
While it's impossible to predict what new technology will be invented in the next four years, try to be forward-thinking in your purchases. I got a stereo, and then realized that my laptop served as both word processor and music player. I also insisted on getting a computer with a drive for floppy disks (remember those?), which obviously became useless rather quickly.
There are lots of other items you can hold off on buying until you get to campus. This is America. There's a CVS on every corner. You can buy shampoo when you need it.
Remember that everything in your room has to be stored (either on campus or elsewhere) or shipped home for the summer, which can get expensive. Also keep in mind that you have to repack everything at the end of the year, so as important as it is to decorate your room, too many accessories make moving out more difficult.
College is great practice for your first few years in the real world, when you might have to move quickly, and frequently, for internships or jobs. I just moved two months ago, and managed to fit everything into my small studio apartment in Logan Circle.
The Must-Haves and the You-Must-Be-Kiddings
Sheet Sets
Check first, but most dorms use extra-long twin sheets.
Mattress Pad
This can help soften what will undoubtedly be a cheap and uncomfortable mattress. Mine had a plastic cover on it, but an eggshell pad really helped.
Complete Bed Ensemble
Skip the package deal. You definitely don't need the extra throw pillows, and the cutesy matching patterns will sicken your roommate.
Down Comforter
It's more expensive than a plain comforter, but worth the investment for the extra comfort factor.
Blanket
Probably overkill for your bed if you have a down comforter, but I kept one around for guests.
Bed Pillows
I got cheap ones and had to replace them within a year. The extra money to buy decent ones will be well spent.
Pillow Protectors
Completely unnecessary.
Backrest
Some people found these helpful for reading, but I always thought they were stiff and uncomfortable.
Alarm Clock/Clock Radio
This is obvious. Spending extra money to get one that played CDs made me much cheerier in the morning than the mechanical beep would have.
Accent/Area Rugs
They'll be cheap and readily available around campus, so wait until you know whether your room is carpeted or has cold tile like mine did.
Toss Pillows
The more extras like this you have in your room, the more cluttered it will feel.
Bed Elevators
These can be fantastic if you need extra storage space, but not all dorm beds will work with them.
Fan
If your dorm isn't air-conditioned, this is a must.
Shower Tote
You'll definitely need one of these. Open baskets work better than the ones with all the different compartments.
Electric Toothbrush
Nine out of 10 dentists like them, but you can't leave them sitting in a communal bathroom.
First-Aid Kit
Great idea. I was always the one knocking on doors looking for a Band-Aid.
Flip-Flops
Don't ever step in a shower at college without them. I'm serious.
Hamper
Don't get fancy; the cheap ones that stand up but fold flat are best.
Iron
My mother made me get one, and I used it once in four years.
Ironing Board
It'll take up way too much room. Part of college is learning to be resourceful, so if you must iron, use your desk or the floor.
Drying Rack
The back of a desk chair can work wonders.
Electric Razor
Every guy I knew said this was a huge help. Several of my friends kept them in their backpacks and shaved while walking to class.
Mugs
Get a couple of nice ceramic ones for late-night study sessions and the insulated travel variety for that 9 a.m. class.
Coffee Maker
Typically, anything with an open heating coil isn't allowed in your room. Hope the dining hall coffee isn't too terrible.
Blender
You definitely won't have the room or the time to use major appliances. Wait until you have your first apartment.
Can Opener
Buy one that has a bottle opener attached -- to use after your 21st birthday, of course.
Water Bottle
Everybody on campus will have a Nalgene-style bottle, and it's definitely cheaper than buying bottled water. To fit in completely, put a bumper sticker on yours advocating your favorite cause.
Computer Chair
The smartest decision I made freshman year was buying a padded desk chair for about $50.
Lap Desk
It will only tempt you to study in bed -- always a bad idea.
Backpack/Messenger Bag
Consider investing in a smaller one than you used in high school, since you'll no longer have to carry all your books at once.
Desk Lamp
Test several before you buy one to make sure the light isn't too harsh.
Floor Lamp
Garish fluorescent lighting is standard in dorm rooms, so definitely buy one of these. But keep in mind that most dorms outlaw halogen because it's a fire hazard.
Surge Protector
You'll definitely need one by the time you plug in your computer, printer, speakers, alarm clock, lamps, etc.
Lounging Chair
My best discovery was a "butterfly chair" for $10 or so. It folded up in the corner when I wasn't using it.
Foot Locker
They're heavy and hard to store. Opt for a rolling suitcase instead.
CD/DVD Storage
Don't try to display your CD collection on a shelf or rack. Keep them all stored in a binder instead or just burn your music onto your computer.
Computer/TV Shelf
If you have a TV, it's easiest to put it on top of the refrigerator or bookshelf.
Flashlight
Another item that mothers think you need, but I can't imagine why. It's college, not camp.
Posters
You'll need some, but unless you want your room to look like everyone else's, stay away from the one from "Pulp Fiction," the one with John Belushi in the "College" sweatshirt, the one from "Abbey Road," and Van Gogh's "Starry Night." You'll thank me when three people on your floor have the same ones.
Forget Throw Pillows, Bring the Toolbox
After you max out at Linens 'n Things, it's time to hit the real dorm saver: your neighborhood hardware store.
I spent my four years in college in a house, as we call dorms at Smith College, a school where some residence halls were constructed before World War II. Loved: hardwood floors, bay windows, walk-in closets. Hated: lack of shelving; awkwardly located cable, Internet and electrical outlets; bad lighting.
So what do you really need to bring to college? A hammer and duct tape. Armed with these basic tools, you can adapt any dorm room to your needs.
You'll need a hammer to hang those picture frames, Christmas lights and tapestries (check to see whether college rules allow nails in the walls). And no, those bookshelves from Ikea don't just snap together. Don't be put off by visions of rusty, unwieldy tools. Some tools are even designed for women -- lightweight, easy-to-use, and even cute, gadgets that the fashionistas among us would be proud to wield.
Duct tape will come in handy for strapping down cords across your room so that you and your roommate aren't living in a daily obstacle course. It's also strong enough to hold up posters and reinforce dorm-room furniture that was probably there when your parents were in college.
You'll need plenty of lighting to brighten up your space, particularly in those long winter months. At the hardware store, you can pick up inexpensive desk lamps and clip-on lights that can brighten up a closet or a corner. You'll also want to grab a few extension cords. Also, take advantage of wall space with over-the-door and stick-on hooks. They're easy to install and even easier to remove at the end of the year.
Don't forget: If you're flying to college, check or ship your tools (or wait to buy them when you arrive). If you attempt to board a plane with them, chances are they won't make it to campus.
How to Make Your Room the Place to Be
For party animals, budding socialites or just plain friendly people heading off to college, here are some tips to turn your dorm into a destination room.
· A serious sound system is a must for the perfect party room. Don't waste money (and space) on bulky components. Mini-speakers connecting to your laptop or iPod will do the trick.
· A television and DVD player.
· Have ample seating. For a common area, a couch or futon. If space is really tight, fold-up camping chairs or floor pillows. No need to be a big spender. Strike a balance between Salvation Army and Urban Outfitters.
· A rug and a pad underneath makes a hard (and often cold) floor more inviting.
· Get a coffee table and subscribe to a few magazines, such as Maxim or Rolling Stone.
· Install a mini basketball hoop or dart board, and add a poker set or a card game that's fun for a crowd, such as Apples to Apples.
· Buy or rent a refrigerator to store drinks, and have plenty of plastic cups.
· Overhead lighting can kill a party mood, so shut off the fluorescent lights and hang strings of Christmas or party lights.
· Everybody can buy generic posters, but the best walls are decorated with vintage posters, flags and unusual tapestries.