| Your college acceptance letter has long since arrived, | | | | you can address in your next call. |
| you've written your thank you cards for your high | | | | Got Stuff? |
| school graduation gifts, and now you are relaxing | | | | Now is a good time to evaluate what you really need |
| before preparations for college life. Being organized will | | | | to take to college. If you have visited your college, you'll |
| help you from becoming overwhelmed and it just | | | | be that far ahead of the game. If not, check with your |
| takes a few 'To-Do Lists' to be ready to move into | | | | college on dorm restrictions. Many will not allow |
| your dorm come August. | | | | microwaves and fridges. However, some do. If so, the |
| First do not panic. Worry will not help you. You need a | | | | costs for these high-ticket items requires discussion |
| plan and a college life tips to-do list will give you just | | | | with your roommate-add it to your next |
| that. Start with the essentials and build from there. If | | | | roommate-phone-call list. |
| you are heading for a dorm, start at the beginning. | | | | You will need clothes, study items, your computer, a |
| Got Roommate? | | | | phone, bedding, storage items, toiletries, personal items, |
| Perhaps you have experienced sharing your bathroom | | | | entertainment, work-out gear, some basic utensils to |
| with siblings, or maybe this is the first time you have | | | | sustain yourself, and some personal extras [depending |
| shared a living space with someone. Roommates can | | | | upon space available in your dorm]. |
| be one of the biggest challenges of college experience | | | | Then, weed through your stuff. No I mean really weed |
| and it can be one of the most rewarding. | | | | through your stuff. Do you really need to hang-on to |
| Start by getting your roommate's contact information. | | | | your first-grade macaroni art piece? Or can you take |
| Check with your college if they haven't already | | | | digital images of your masterpieces and get rid of the |
| provided this information. Then, begin with Facebook or | | | | originals? Talk to your parents and determine what |
| My space. See what basic information you can derive | | | | you will take, what you will leave behind, and how you |
| from these sources. Next step, pick up your cell and | | | | will get all your stuff to college. |
| give them a call. Remember: have empathy. Put | | | | Got Transport? |
| yourself in their shoes. You are both nervous and | | | | You aren't going to beam yourself to college so, it's |
| excited. Use these common feelings to connect. Ask | | | | going to be: plane, train or automobile. How you get to |
| questions. You know what type of living style you are | | | | college will factor in how you prepare for the move. |
| comfortable with. Ask your roommate what their vision | | | | Some items might be better purchased when you get |
| for your dorm room is? How much time do they | | | | to college. Share your packing list with your roommate |
| expect to spend keeping it looking like that? Ask | | | | so you don't double-up and still have all bases covered. |
| questions which will lead your roommate into revealing | | | | Then, think realistically how you will get all the |
| expectations. You are looking for as much balance as | | | | college-bound-stuff there. If you are diving, how much |
| each of you can find. College life can be stressful. You | | | | space do you really have? If you are shipping your |
| might want to find out if your roommate finds partying | | | | stuff, how will you do this? What company will you |
| an outlet for stress. You might be an early bird and | | | | use? What timeframe are you following, so your stuff |
| your roommate a night owl. Knowing these personality | | | | will arrive when you do? |
| traits prior to sharing your space will help each of you | | | | Got Panic Again? |
| to build strategies to better live with one another. Take | | | | Do not worry. Getting all these preparations in order is |
| notes, you probably won't solve all these issues in a | | | | easy when you check out college life tips and use the |
| single phone call, so check-in and schedule more calls. | | | | free check-off list for easy college life organization. |
| You will certainly come up with more questions, which | | | | |