Campus Life 101: Dorm Life, College Culture, and Campus Events
Campus Life understands that adolescence can be the finest and worst of times, and it is always a watershed moment in a young person’s life. Learn how campus life impacts schools, families, and students nationwide. In this blog, we’ll answer some of your most urgent issues regarding campus life and provide recommendations for navigating it.
What Is Campus Life?
Campus is a lively community where you can connect with others through classes, groups or events that match your interests. Campus life isn’t just about academics; it’s about a holistic experience where you can grow personally and belong to something bigger.
Managing Academics
You will be adjusting to a lot of new things during your first year of college, including new classes, new teachers, new activities, and new friends. Even though many of these novel experiences are thrilling, they may make it difficult for you to adjust academically and manage your time well. In college, you alone are in charge of determining what your schedule will consist of and allocating your time appropriately, even if you managed a full academic load and extracurricular activities in high school. Establish some structure in your life by designating particular study times, making time management goals, and adhering to them. Try your hardest to eat healthily and get enough sleep as well.
What is Campus Life like?
Campus Life is a welcoming environment where students can hang out with friends, discuss important topics, and get heard without passing judgment. Students are pushed to make wise choices and take on leadership roles in their school in this setting. Apart from the weekly club meetings, CL provides events, travels, and small groups.
What is the price of it?
It costs nothing to participate in Campus Life; membership is free. There could occasionally be a price for outings, gatherings, and other activities.
In what way may I assist?
We strongly advise you to get in touch with the Campus Life director in your area to discuss ways to become engaged, donate, or assist in promoting Campus Life in your neighborhood.
Is it secure?
Campus Life is a secure setting. Every employee and volunteer has undergone a rigorous screening procedure that includes professional background checks, in-person interviews, and reference checks.
Living in a Dorm
Living in a dorm is an exciting new experience that will help you make new friends and get a handle on college life. Along the way, there should be a ton of enjoyment, but there should also be lessons in personal responsibility and group living.
What Kind of Stuff Should I Bring?
There’s a chance you’ll want to bring everything you possess to college. However, because dorm rooms are small, you’ll have to set priorities. After you move in, there will be chances to pick up supplies, so don’t worry if you forget something.
What Kind of Life Can I Expect in a Dorm?
You’re not the only one who finds living in a dorm unsettling! Living in a dorm is often the first time that a new college student has lived with someone other than their family.
Residing together
If you can’t choose a single room at your university, you’ll probably have a roommate. Most institutions will send you a questionnaire with lifestyle questions to pair you up with someone you have a decent chance of getting along with if you don’t choose your roommate in advance.
The spaces in dorm rooms are cramped. This restricted area also presents chances to hone critical abilities in compromising, showing respect, and showing consideration.
Be kind to your roommate who is still asleep if you have early classes. On the other hand, when you return home after spending late hours in the library, please show consideration. Maintain your portion of the space tidy, and always request to borrow your roommate’s possessions in advance.
Public restrooms
There are shared restrooms in many university residence halls, and some students may not tidy up after themselves. Remember to keep your personal space tidy and show consideration for others.
Additionally, you’ll need a shower caddy to transport all of your supplies back and forth because anything left in a shared bathroom is probably going to be utilized by several users or thrown away. After showering, bring a bathrobe or some other form of cover-up for the walk back to your room. Finally, remember to take a shower.
Rules for Dorms
To ensure that occupants are secure, content, and productive, dorm buildings have access regulations. These may include guidelines about what appliances are permitted in rooms, quiet hours, and visitor policies. Usually, the rules are posted on the website of your institution.
After everyone moves in, resident advisors will probably give a briefing to all residents on the policies and procedures.
Fresh companions
By living together, you’ll be surrounded by individuals your age and perhaps make new acquaintances as well. Mealtimes, study groups, and social events are just a few of the many chances to socialize. Venture outside your comfort zone and discover all that living in a dorm has to offer!
If your home is small, you might want to consider leaving your door open while you’re inside. This is a friendly invitation for anyone to drop by!
Feeling homesick
Feeling homesick is a common emotion, especially at the beginning. However, this will probably pass, especially if you start participating in the dorm’s social scene. You can keep in touch with your friends and family and use mementos of home to decorate your space.
Your parents won’t be there to help with issues when they come up, but there will be a resident adviser, or RA, to provide support and direction as well as help keep the campus safe.
Dorm living is a great way to have fun and make friends for life, even though it could take some getting used to.
How to Communicate Well With Your Roommate
Having a good relationship with your roommate is essential to living in the dorm, regardless of whether you choose to room with a friend or your college assigned you a roommate.
Although they could become your best friends, roommates don’t always have to be that way! Having a positive relationship with the person you share your home with is the aim.
Put communication and respect first, even when you are with someone you know well. Before moving day, try to have a conversation to find out about each other’s hobbies, boundaries, habits, and preferences.
Interaction
Living in a small apartment with a new partner might cause miscommunications and small talk. It’s important to discuss issues with a roommate as soon as they come up. Don’t allow animosity to linger if someone is disrespecting someone else’s study habits or is being overly messy; instead, be forthright and courteous in your communication.
Tidiness
While it would be ideal for roommates to split up cleaning duties evenly, it is more typical for one of them to be more organized than the other. Together, decide how you will split up the work and create a schedule that you can both stick to.
Courtesy
Respect and compassion foster relationships. Even though your cultural backgrounds may differ, it can still be beneficial to be open to learning about and discussing food, music, hobbies, and personal experiences.
A big problem for some pupils is noise. When watching TikToks, playing games, or listening to music, wear headphones. Don’t set the snooze alarm ten times if your roommate sleeps late and you have an early class. In addition, if they snore, get a sound machine or take out the earplugs from your toiletry box.
Always knock first if the door is closed. Your roommate may be sleeping, studying, or hosting a visitor.
Finally, simply be kind and don’t utilize your roommate’s possessions without permission.
Taking Care of Roommate Issues
Even with best efforts to work things out and get along, issues can occasionally come up among housemates. A roommate may be untidy, careless, noisy, take items that aren’t theirs, or frequently host visitors who stay longer than expected.
Your initial reaction as a first-year college student might be to “avoid drama” by keeping your worries to yourself. However, learning conflict resolution techniques is crucial to getting ready for life after college, and now is a great time to do it. Your resident dean or RA can help to alleviate the situation, offer support, and offer assistance if you are having trouble talking to someone about your issues.
Deal with problems when they come up.
Instead of allowing your frustration to fester inside of you, tell your roommate what’s on your mind. Be direct, courteous, and unambiguous; nevertheless, refrain from making personal jabs. Instead of concentrating on the disagreement, try to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Acquiring Life Skills
In college, there are other places to study outside the classroom; living in the dorms is a whole learning experience. Simply by sharing a residence with numerous others, you will discover:
Self-sufficiency and autonomy
You’ll discover how to properly manage your time, budget your money, take care of yourself, do laundry, and take care of your expenses.
Communication and Conflict Resolution
Living with roommates will teach you how to communicate yourself and your needs, listen to others’ concerns, and respond with understanding and respect.
Community development and social skills
You’ll be surrounded by individuals your age in person; this is an opportunity to form a community and improve your interpersonal skills while making lifelong friends.
Adaptability and Flexibility
You will meet a wide range of students with varied personalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds, and you will learn to accept diversity in all of its manifestations.
You are about to start on an amazing trip! Dorm life offers an unforgettable social experience. Living with other students affords several opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve as a person.
You will face challenges, but you will also create memories that will last a lifetime. This experience will enrich your college experience and provide you with skills you will take far into adulthood.
A college summer camp or academic program will give you a short-term taste of dorm life before you commit to attending college full-time. Learn more about the Harvard Summer School’s college programs for high school students.
Our favorite college event ideas.
Organize local visits to familiarize pupils with their surroundings.
Walking tours, bus tours, and even bike tours are exciting ways for students, particularly freshmen and other campus newcomers, to meet new people and learn about their surroundings. Highlight notable attractions, restaurants, recreational spaces, and local landmarks. Invite parents to participate in orientation or visitor weekends, and include senior students on the tour staff. This will allow current students to make extra money while also sharing personal experiences about the location and trustworthy suggestions from a student’s perspective.
Take students on a nature tour.
Students who prefer the outdoors, botany, or conservation will benefit from horticulture tours that highlight their college town’s distinct biology. Tour the area gardens, identify hiking trails, and point out the local flora and wildlife. Connect with the agricultural department to educate tour guests about endangered animals in the area, as well as local environmental conservation organizations where they can volunteer.
Connect students with local charities and volunteer opportunities.
Host a community service fair to connect students with local non-profits, activist groups, and charities. Teach pupils the value of public service and civic obligation, and encourage them to play an active role in their community. Increase fundraising through charity events and encourage students to start their campus services.
Book popular speakers or organize TED Talks.
Invite philosophers, activists, lecturers, writers, entrepreneurs, and other inspiring speakers to visit campus and give their life wisdom. To connect with students and learn what matters most to them, do a survey.
Regularly host TED Talks on campus, and promote audience participation at events. Use social media to promote events. Give potential attendees a biography of the speaker, including their accomplishments and the unique perspective they bring to the table.
Host an event to launch a mentoring program.
Many students find college to be an emotionally tough period. Many students are away from home for the first time and may want an icebreaker to connect. Create a mentoring program to link students with those who have endured and conquered comparable obstacles or experiences.
Encourage mentorship links for new students, LGBTQ+ students, those dealing with addiction or grief, and so on. Assist students who find themselves outside of their social, political, or economic comfort zones. Promote diversity, inclusivity, and intersectionality.
Offer life lessons or “adulting” classes.
Unfortunately, many high schools do not provide pupils with important life skills such as budgeting, cooking, basic house repairs, or tax filing. College students are aiming to mature into full-fledged adults, so organize engaging seminars that teach them useful skills. Teach them time management techniques, budgeting best practices, and how to prepare for future loan expenses. Learning basic auto repair and home maintenance skills will help students become more self-sufficient.
Organise enjoyable, imaginative, and distinctive college sporting activities.
Most universities feature typical sports teams, such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and football. Not all students are sports fanatics, but the majority of them enjoy having fun and seeking out new and exciting experiences.
Host quidditch matches in the park or announces a campus-wide LARPing (live-action role play) competition. Who doesn’t like to watch a group of adults in medieval costumes fight with rubber swords? Local businesses might set up tables to market themed products.
Conclusion
Whether it appears so or not, every college or institution has students looking for active ways to contribute to both university life and the community. It can be difficult for corporations, groups, and even university event planners to come up with innovative college event ideas that work.
