Dorm Survival Tips

by: Madi Marion

**What to Actually Pack**

Pack like you’re moving into a shoebox, because… you are.
Clothes? Bring your faves. The rest will live in a pile you never touch.
A surge protector extension cord - outlets are weirdly placed in your dorms, so having something with extra plugs is essential, and regular extension cords are prohibited.
Cleaning supplies, unless you plan on living in dust and sweat.
Liquid laundry detergent - Tide pods struggle to be broken up in the dorm washers and can leave your clothes stained blue
Hobby items. College is hard enough; bring something that brings you joy to do to take a break from coursework. Whether it’s physical activities (hiking, rockclimbing, running, working out, etc.), creative arts (drawing, painting, diamond art, crochet/knitting, origami, etc.), collections (magnets, crystals, rocks, wearables, shells, plushies, etc.), or something else (reading, gaming, watching tv/movies, etc.) find something that brings you joy and can allow you to escape a little when college starts beating you down.

Things Everyone Forgets

Command strips. You will run out. You will beg your floor for extras. Also, the velcro-y ones are goated; you can use them for literally everything and reuse them for years.
A tiny medicine stash so you’re not raw‑dogging a cold during midterms.
A bowl. A cup. A fork. You will not want to eat cereal with a paper plate at 11 pm.
Extra chargers because they vanish like socks in the dryer or break as the year goes on.
A mesh laundry bag for socks; it's how they avoid getting eaten by the dryers.
An umbrella to keep in your bag - you don’t wanna be caught walking back from class carrying your school bag in a trash bag to protect your laptop; I promise it's not fun.
Scotch tape and duct tape - you’ll need them more than you think
A screwdriver, if you plan on building anything after you move in. About 10 people asked me to borrow mine freshman year.
A hot glue gun if you plan on taking a class that has projects.
If you want to loft your bed, a pool noodle. It protects you when you forget there’s a bed over you. Also a rubber mallet is nice so you don’t have to wait for the dorm one

Best Study Spots

Dorm lounges when it’s magically empty.
Your room when your roommate isn’t there; just don’t study in your bed. You will start associating your bed with studying and struggle getting to sleep.
The libraries, Rose or Carrier when it opens. The Union also has some decent spots for studying.
Random empty classrooms or the lobbies of academic buildings - if you're okay with background noise
Outside tables or the quad when the weather isn’t trying to kill you.
Your org's building if they have one; the BCM has great spaces where you can study.

Dining Hall Hacks

Build your own meals like you’re on Chopped: College Edition.
The Market will be your friend
If you want CFA but not the line, go at weird hours
Half portions so you can try everything without entering a food coma.
Avoid peak hours unless you enjoy lines that test your patience and your will to live.
Plan out at least half an hour if you plan to eat at the D-Hall buffet

Where to Find Free Food

Club interest meetings - they’re basically free dinner with a side of “join us pls.”
RA programs (yes, we bribe you. Yes, it works).
Academic events with cookies that taste like disappointment but are still free.
Student org tabling - if they have a budget, they have pizza.

RA‑Specific

Have the “Real” Roommate Conversation

Not the cute “what time do you wake up” one. The actual one:

Noise
Guests
Cleanliness
Alone time
Boundaries
Pet peeves. It’s awkward for 10 minutes and saves you from plotting murder by October.

Take Your Roommate Agreement Seriously - Please

It’s not homework. It’s a survival contract. Fill it out honestly. Revisit it. Use it when things get spicy. And answer the questions seriously; your RA has to read them, and if they’re not answered seriously, it's awkward for all when we have to ask you to redo it.

Download the Apps We Tell You To

They’re not really optional. They’re how you:

Check laundry
Get hall updates
Text your RA when you get locked out at 3 am
Find events
Get into the building or get food when you forget your JACard

Your RA Is There to Help - Stop Being Scared of Us

We’re not cops. We’re not your parents. We’re basically older siblings who get paid with emotional damage and connections. We’re trained to help you with:

Roommate drama
Mental health resources
Substance use, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or other things
Academic challenges
Campus connections
“I don’t know who to ask” problems. Come talk to us. We actually care. And if we don’t have an answer right away, we will find out for you.
Yes, we do room checks; no, we aren’t looking to get you in trouble. Most of us, actually, warn you about them before they occur so you can hide anything you don't want us to see.

JMU DORM SURVIVAL TIPS: ADVICE FROM AN RA