Design Your Dorm

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Say hi

It sounds simple, and it is. Introduce yourself to: people during the first week of classes, people in your hall, people in the cafeteria. It might seem weird at first, but you have to realize that everybody else there is just as lost as you are and they want to meet people as well. Give it a try.

Study groups

Joining study groups has two advantages. First of all you get to meet people, and second of all you can knock out some much needed studying at the same time. If you are adventurous and would like to set yourself up as a leader then you can always start your own study group.

Fraternity/Sorority

Look at the dates for Fraternity/Sorority rush. Even if you don’t think you’re interested in joining the Greek system you still might want to rush. This way you can see for yourself if it is something that might be fore you.

Student Groups

If you join a student group that interests you then you will obviously find people with similar interests. Some Student Groups host social outings and events. You can also start your own group.

Intramural Sports

Aside from being immensely fun, intramural sports teams allow you to meet tons of people. Most schools also have a lot of unconventional sports for intramurals, so if you are feeling adventurous you can always play innertube water-polo or broomball.

Leave your door open

Simple, easy, and very effective. Leave your door open and during the first week you will notice that a lot of people pass by, and some will stick their head in your room and say hello. This is a really good way to get to know the people who live in your hall.

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1. Plastic wrap on the toilet
   This one is a classic. If you have a communal bathroom then you can wrap plastic wrap between the seat and the toilet bowl. The next morning before the 8am classes, at least one tired and unsuspecting student will be in for a very unpleasant surprise.
2. Rotting food trick
   This should only be reserved for your most hated nemesis. Get a few of those disposable Tupperware containers and poke a few holes in the top lid. Then locate something that perishes quickly; raw fish works well. Then place the container under your target’s bed or in his closet. Wait a few days, and watch as his room is overrun by a horrid smell.
3. Hidden alarm clock
   Get a cheap, battery powered alarm clock and set it for a later hour in the middle of the night. Then place it somewhere in your target’s room where he will be able to hear it, but not see it; under the bed works as long as it is a loud alarm. In the middle of the night he will be startled, and likely very upset.
4. Dismantled bed
   This one is truly awesome, but you will probably have to get your target’s roommate to lend you his room key. Wait until a Friday or Saturday night when your target plans on going out for the night and stay for an extra 15 minutes. Sneak into his room and dismantle his bed. When he arrives at 2am he will be disgruntled and exhausted and he will probably be forced to sleep on the floor. For an added twist, you can reassemble his bed in the hallway in front of his room.
5. Stealing towel/robe
   This is simple yet effective if you have communal bathrooms. Wait for your target to walk into the bathroom to shower. Then once they are mid shower steal their towel and or bathrobe and put it someplace where they will have to walk exposed for a short distance. This one never gets old.

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1. Drink a caffeinated beverage before you sit down – caffeine improves your mood, which is always helpful when it comes to hitting the books.
2. Make a list of what you have to accomplish and cross things off as you finish them. Achievement always feels nice.
3. Focus anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour and then take a five-minute break. This will help you clear your head and go back to studying with a fresh mindset.
4. If you’re going to listen to music, make it Mozart (I prefer Debussy’s Claire de Lune).
5. Steal quick glances at your loud neighbors – everyone speaks the universal of “you’re annoying me”.
6. If you don’t need your computer – don’t open it. It’s way too tempting.
7. Concentrate on one course at a time and don’t even think about looking at another class until you’ve finished.
8. Recopy lecture notes – its quick and easy. You’ll be surprised how much information you’ll retain just by doing this.
9. Turn your cell phone on silent, it just adds to the bevy of distractions. Plus, it makes you appear mysterious when you don’t text back right away.
10. Keep your headphones in even if you aren’t listening to music, this way people won’t feel the need to stop and chat.

Seriously though, just get up and move. Loud = lazy and you need to do well on your exams.