There is a little secret about getting in shape: despite the multi-billion dollar diet industry, staying fit and healthy doesn’t cost that much money, nor does it require a lot of space.

If there is one thing students have experience in, it is lack of space and money, so if you’re looking to get into shape in school or reduce stress, look no further than the four walls of your dorm room and the 5,000-year old Indian tradition of yoga.

What you’ll need:

• Yoga mat
• Yoga DVD
• Laptop or television with a DVD player
• Peace and quiet is preferred, but probably not realistic Read the rest of this entry »

Just the idea of bed bugs makes my skin crawl. Typically, I think of getting bed bugs by staying in a hotel that is somewhat shady, but you can get bed bugs anywhere, including your own bed.

Bed bugs in dorms and student apartment complexes are a big problem. It can be difficult to know when you have bed bugs because they are small and typically nocturnal, so you probably won’t see one or two just lounging on your bed. They often hide in dark crevices and place their eggs in fabric seams, and only come out at night to snack on your blood while you are sleeping. Creepy, huh?

If the thought of sharing your bed with a colony of bugs doesn’t really bother you – well, I don’t know how it could not completely disgust you – then think about the annoying bites you are likely to receive. Bed bug bites cause cimicosis, a skin condition that varies from person to person. According to The Mayo Clinic, allergic reactions to bed bug bites result in red bumps or welts, typically formed in a cluster or line, and are very itchy. These bites are similar in appearance to mosquito bites. Unfortunately, bed bug bites can last much longer and be much itchier. However, almost 50 percent of bed bug victims do not react to bed bug bites; at least there’s one positive. Read the rest of this entry »

Trying to stretch that dollar in the dorms? Living on your own isn’t easy or cheap, but here are some helpful tips that will lessen the strain on your checking account:

Food: You can only force down those ramen noodles for so long, and let’s face it, they’re not the most nutritious thing you can eat. Check out the local farmer’s market to find great deals on fruits and veggies. At the grocery store, buy the generic brands and be sure to clip those coupons.

Coffee: Limit your Starbucks runs to once a week. Start brewing your own pot of coffee or bum a complimentary cup of joe from one of the campus offices.

Entertainment: Going out every night will drain your budget quickly. Instead of hitting up the club, opt for something cheaper. Host a pizza-and-movie night at your dorm or see what your college student activity center has planned for the weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

“I’m bored” should never be a phrase uttered by a college student, especially one living on campus. Between classes and studying, dorm activities, intramural sports, Greek activities and the endless of other social and academic events taking place, every student can and will find a place to keep them occupied.

Here are some sure-fire places to find fellow coeds killing time and not being bored.

• Start in the dorm. Whether with your roommate or the girls across the hall, watch a movie, go shopping or just grab a snack and chat.
• Go clubbin’. And we don’t mean at the bar. Most larger colleges and universities have hundreds of clubs and organizations that suit nearly every possible interest and college major. Join one, or two. Read the rest of this entry »

This guest post comes from John Spiropoulos, B.A., a 3 time Emmy award winning TV news reporter whose website — www.collegefreshmansurvival.com — is devoted to the success of college freshmen.

Right now parents and students are focused on what to take to college. Now is also the time to think about what you want to keep in college, because without taking proper precautions, your valuables may be stolen. Here’s what to do:

Lock Your Room Doors in the Residence Hall

Break-ins are rare. Usually, items are stolen because doors are left open or unlocked. Unless your roommate is in the room, ALWAYS lock the door when you leave, even if it’s just going down the hall to the bathroom. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you a college freshman headed to campus this fall? The most important thing to know is to not feel overwhelmed. While there is a lot to take care of, it will all come together in time to move to the dorms if you prepare during the summer.

Here we’ve compiled a list of things you won’t want to overlook:

• Get your computer in order – make sure it has the right software, meets campus IT guidelines, and has been cleaned-up, backed-up and upgraded if necessary. Read the rest of this entry »

Being a college roommate is not easy. If housing services “matches” you with someone you’re far from compatible with, you’re going to have to make the most of it. While you’ll likely find ways to be amicable and keep the peace while you’re in the room, conflicts are sure to arise.

You’re not at home and you can’t run to tell your parents. They can’t fix it. This is one of those times you’ll have to resolve the problem on your own. And hopefully your roommate is responsive to your polite and friendly suggestions for living peacefully under one concrete ceiling.

Here we take a look at a few common points of tension, and the best ways to fix them.

Neat Freak vs. Pack Rat

Everyone’s definition of clean will vary. You need to work together early in the relationship to define what that will look like in your room. Read the rest of this entry »

As you start packing, shopping and preparing to move to the dorms in the next few weeks, remember the size of your room.

The average dorm room is about 12′ x 9′ for a total of 108 square feet. This is shared with a roommate, desks, beds, and likely a counter top or chest of drawers. Split in half, you can call 54 square feet of that space your very own home sweet home. For reference, the average jail cell is about 96 square feet.

Living in the dorms, in what feels like cramped space, for 75 percent of a year can give you a chance to stretch your creative decorating and organizational muscles. And regardless of how much space you do or don’t have, it’s an experience worth having. Read the rest of this entry »

I was lucky enough to always live off-campus, so I never had the true “dorm cafeteria experience,” nor did I have to balance a microwave, laptop, and television on my small desk that barely fit in my room. I had a kitchen, but that didn’t necessarily mean I ate balanced, healthy, home-cooked meals all the time. College budgets are small, so for me, there was a lot of pizza and Kraft Mac and Cheese. For a long time after I graduated, I couldn’t even look at a PB&J, as it had been a staple of my college diet.

For most students living in the dorms, dinner meant soup in a hotpot or getting pizza delivered. The most interesting thing about the campus dining hall was often the salad bar – and how interesting can a salad bar really be? Read the rest of this entry »

There are many lists telling you what to bring to college: towels, extra pencils, a soft blanket, pictures of family, etc. So what if you follow those guidelines perfectly, but you also add in a little of your own “creative flair” and show up to the dorms with some items you probably should have left at home? Never fear! Here’s my *Official* Things to NOT Bring to College Guide, compiled from the advice of leading experts in the field (You know, students who have lived in dorms!).

1. Yearbooks/Diaries/Keepsakes

“College, like the mid-90s for Madonna, is a time for reinvention. For most people, it means a completely clean slate: no high school drama, none of the old cliques or problems, and the chance to be the person you always knew you could be,” says DormDelicious.com. Don’t bring high school with you if you want to stand any chance of fully embracing the college experience. Read the rest of this entry »