To contact Jennifer Barber with Cut the Chaos, call 502.500.8980, email jrbarb@cutthechaos.com, or go to www.cutthechaos.com.
Jennifer's tips for dorm/campus life:
Sharing space – a small space – that is something not everyone is used to and you want to get good at fast.
A small space seems bigger when everyone is getting along – and much, much smaller when you are not. Talk to your roommate when you first get together over a meal and find out:
Night owl/ Early bird
Light sleeper/ like a log
Very social/ likes quiet
Can study anywhere/ needs quite
What might work to share? Laundry detergent, shampoo, consumables, computer printer, microwave, coffeemaker, etc.
Can we color coordinate to make the space look bigger?
Set some goals so that you have your priorities clearly defined for yourself:
- Learn
- Gain experience for life
- Routine: studying, exercising, work, social, spiritual
Only bring what is essential for those goals and don’t feel like you have to bring everything on move-in day.
Simplify and pair down – spent a year abroad in college with nothing more than a large suitcase – it really can be done.
Don’t bring your best stuff – don’t want to have to worry about things being stolen, ruined or borrowed
Don’t over commit – you’ll be excited about all the great opportunities to try new things – keep your priorities and only say yes if it’s in line with those
Keep your schedule as similar as possible to what has worked for you in high school – calendar when you are going to study, wake up, exercise, go to church, do extracurricular activities. If it doesn’t fit on your calendar, it won’t get done.
Space Savers:
Technology: use your phone as your alarm clock, put your calendar, reminders, to do lists on your laptop. Sometimes you have to invest to save space – putting all your music on an iPod, buying small speakers or a speaker bar, laptop, flat screen monitor, iPad/kindle. Also keep contact information on your computer for hours of operation and contact information for labs, library, campus security, etc. to keep it neat and organized.
Use functional things to decorate (area rug, bedspread) – avoid things that are only for decoration.
Oversized ziplock bags and storage cubes/ Space bags
Toiletry caddie
Bulletin and magnetic boards
Boxes that turn into book shelves
Square/Rectangular nesting bins
Microfiber towel
Under the bed (use bed stands to raise the bed frame)
Collapsible laundry basket
Walls – decorate the walls not any surfaces, use for hooks and hangers
Magnetic strip
Use thin hangers and skirt and pant hangers that hold multiple items
High closet shelves – for items you don’t need everyday like laundry detergent, extra sweater
Magazine file/Brown folder holder
Notebook with page protectors
Buy your books used and sell them back at the end of the semester – buying them used you won’t feel as if you invested as much and have to keep them
Essentials:
Important documents like driver’s license, Social Security card and health insurance card and medical information.
First aid kit with band aids and thermometer
Shower shoes
Computer back up plan – thumb drive, cloud, email home to Mom & Dad
Small safe box for wallet and personal belongs
Fan
Power strip/extension cord
Headphones
Reading light & battery light
Flashlight
Mini-tool kit
Water bottle and water filter
Zip lock bags of various sizes
Cleaning supplies
Reusable bag
Compact umbrella
Chip clips, cups, dish soap and rag, paper towels
Clothing:
Less is more (except for underwear)
Think Vogue – everything mixes and matches and you need less
Only have this season’s with you – you’ll be home to get what you need for next semester.
Spend the next few days thinking about all the things you don’t normally give much thought to – what toiletry supplies are important to you. Medicine you might need. Emergency contact information.
