Introduction
My Dorm Room—The Ocho
I’ve had quite a bit of experience living in dorm rooms. Starting with LSMSA, I spent two years in a dorm in high school. Now, I’m into my third at LSU. I’ve seen trends in the additions I’ve made to both dorm rooms. They make the spaces much more homely and whole lot more liveable. Aside from the normal things you’d bring to a dorm room—wardrobe, sheets, trash can, fridge—these are the things I’ve added, and I believe you’ll find them useful as well.
Technology
- Computer No brainer. MacBook Pro for me. You can read about my favorite software here.
- Wireless mouse/keyboard with computer stand I feel this makes me more functional. Also, I can lay in bed and still work—for those really lazy days. I have the Apple wireless keyboard—pre-aluminum white one—and Mighty Mouse. I also have a Targus laptop stand. It’s simple and doubles as a platform for using your computer on your lap and preventing burns to your legs and killing your future kids.
- Wireless router and ethernet cable I only have a sole ethernet jack in my room. Not only do I want my 360 plugged in, but I also want to be wireless. Also, I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve wasted doing impromptu Halo LANs. Definitely worth it. In high school, our net was cut off at midnight. A few of my conniving friends and I hid a wireless router in the system to give us access after midnight. They never caught us.
- External hard drive For totally legitimate reasons. . .
- Power strip There are exactly two outlets in my room; one for me, the other for my roommate. I guess this comes from living in a building built before my grandparents remember (also, it’s solid concrete), but you should probably still bring one for newer dorms. I’ve got electronics everywhere in my room so I have a few daisy chained—I’m gonna blow the city’s power grid, I swear. I recommend the PowerSquid.
Work Desk
Entertainment
Wolf Blitzer is my hero
- Television and cable I’ve got a Samsung 32″ HDTV—best 32″ TV on the market—with piping hot HD content from Cox. I can’t get enough of Heroes, House, The Office, Law and Order (all flavors), et al. Jack McCoy is even more bamf in HD, promise. Also, a DVR is really helpful for my busy schedule. I also have a Kensington Security Cable to secure the TV.
- Xbox 360 Enough said. Keep CoD:4 or Halo 3 around for good times. You can game with me at gamertag “ustopablefury.”
- Stereo, DVD Player and other necessities DVD player is unnecessary if you have a computer or 360. Still, having something that plays a DVD is convenient. Also, I have a stereo to amplify my computer, TV and 360.
- Books/DVDs When I have time, I read as much as I can. But I recommend having good books around at all times, regardless if you’re reading. It’ll add to your spiritus mundi. But, if for nothing else, it’ll make you look smart to girls. Keep some Tolstoy and Plato around for major bonus points with the ladies. You can see more about what I read, and get recommendations for great books, here. Now reading: The Creative Habit by Twyla Harp. Look for a review eventually.
- Rubik’s Cube Rubik’s, ftw. One of my friends is an über-cuber. Watch his insane cubing records here.
Book Shelf. Notice the classics on the left.
Living additions
- Rug Tiled floors are hard, cold, and totally not homely. Getting a nice accent rug for your dorm will provide a nice floor covering for the unsightly tile. Not only is it more comfortable, but it is warming—both on the feet and on the soul. I got a nice, comfortable one for $25 at Walmart. There’s two in my room, covering the whole floor. I’d also recommend a simple mechanical vacuum and some Febreeze to help keep the rug clean and in good shape.
- Ample lighting I count four additional lights I’ve added to my room. I find overhead fluorescent lights to be oppressive, so I don’t like to have them on when avoidable. Even if you don’t feel this way, a pole lamp will help increase lighting. It’s also a softer light which helps the ambiance of the room. A desk lamp is also helpful to improve visibility when working and also for when your roommate is asleep and you’re still studying. I also have a strand of LSU Christmas lights—you know, school spirit. This is one of my top recommendations.
- Coffee pot I have a 7:30am Ethics class—enough said. Mine is a simple two-cup machine from Starbucks. It brews right into the tumbler in less than two minutes. Plus, there’s a metal filter for easy cleanup.
- Water Filter Not everyone is as blessed as we are in Baton Rouge. For those in more rural areas or with bad tasting water, consider picking up a water filter. Even though my water is good tasting, I like it to be cleaner than the faucet provides. I got a Pur pitcher for $15 from Target. It helps with the coffee, too.
- Things from home Pictures and other memorabilia from home helps if you’re far away and won’t see them for a long time. I keep pictures of friends around as well. Whose house doesn’t have pictures in it? This definitely brings your room to a closer resemblance to home.
Lights Behind the TV Create a Nice Effect
Conclusion
I hope these tips help make your dorm room more livable—they certainly have for me. Do you use the same methods, or are your living additions wildly different or in contrast? Let me know in the comments.
Excellent Article! Full of insight and helpful to the dorm noob. However, (links to) larger photos would be a nice addition to future blogs in this format.
How did you guys avoid detection in Prudhomme?
That’s a great idea. The thumbnails now link to a larger image in full-res glory. Or mostly full-res. Close enough.
It wasn’t very hard. We just plugged it into the RA’s router–since his net never goes off–and set it to grab DHCP automatically. It was basically a daisy chain. Unless you physically get on the computer, there’s no way of knowing. So needless to say, the “brilliant” IT guys never found it. We added an ultra high-gain antenna and got great coverage. Plus, we hid it really, really well.
Who was your RA?
Michael Sundell.
several issues you need to address.
A, your hero is blitzer? B, “I realized something: Despite all appearances, this room isn’t that bad. I mean, it’s certainly liveable” if most other people said that seriously I would punch them in the face. you are in the top half percent of people in the world who have such a luxurious room, be thankful not only is it livable, but you have electricity. C, I know its nice to have a clean room, but seriously did you need to take all those picture and name the damn thing?
A. He’s one of my heroes. I mean, seriously. Here’s my reasons: Exhibit A) He’s an excellent journalist; one of the best in the world. B) He’s got an awesome name. C) He’s got an awesome beard. D) He’s the man.
B. Yeah, of course. I know that. But for Americans, this still holds up.
C. Yes. A good domicile is always named. See: Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, Citizen Kane, et al.