As a dorm resident, there are a number of things I find CSUN students presupposing about the residence halls. Before you decide to either stay at the dorms or leave, make sure you don’t believe one or more of these misconceptions. The Resident Advisors are out to get you RAs are obligated to enforce some rules to the best of their abilities. No smoking within 30 feet of a building, no underage drinking, and no disturbances after quiet hours are… Read more

The snoring roommate scenario is  well-known within all dorm room communities. These roommates can cause severe irritation for the other party. Many students need eight hours of sleep in order to function well in class. A problem like this can come between two perfectly good roommates, so in an effort to help the situation, it’s important to talk to your roommate, and explain how this problem affects you. Helping your roommate to figure out why he/she snores is the first… Read more

Not all students can go home this Thanksgiving break, so rather than panicking or sinking into a pie-less depression right before finals, here are some tips that make a semi-homemade Thanksgiving accessible right here on campus. Gather a Crowd The more the merrier. You won’t be the only person on campus during the holiday, create a Facebook event page and invite your friends to find out who else will be around.  Make it a potluck, that way one person is… Read more

Your college years are often considered the beginning stages of complete independence and adulthood. For many college students, moving into a dorm is the first taste of life without a safety net. You can come and go as you please, eat what you like and, of course, there’s no curfew. However, with freedom and independence comes intense responsibility that can often take its toll on young adults. This newfound freedom can cost you much more than you think. Dorm life… Read more

Living in the residential halls without a car is not the end of your life as you know it. It is still possible to be independent and have an active social life living car-free. And in this large metropolitan city there are so many other ways to get around that will not only get you where you need to go to but also save you plenty of money. These money-saving options range from riding the bus and walking to rollerblading… Read more

Your dorm houses two, but your living situation looks like it holds a party of- well, more than two. Heck, with a dirty roommate your dorm room probably looks like you just threw a party. You probably don’t even remember what color the carpet is or what your dorm initially looked like because of the clothes on the floor, the smell of old sweaty sneakers permeating the air and the scraps of paper from late night study sessions, printer jams… Read more

My advice first and foremost would be, not to hook up with fellow dorm mates. I’ve made such a mistake and have ended up in a an awkward situation. That being said, I know we’re all human and sometimes desire comes between self-control and will power. So, if you had an intimate encounter with someone in your dorm and now you’re either: (A) attached beyond reasonable doubt or (B) desperately hoping to dodge the dude or damsel.  You better hope… Read more

Leaving home to go to school, regardless of how far away it is, can leave one feeling homesick. When the time comes to finally leave the nest and spread your wings, you will definitely go through a roller coaster of emotions, from anxiety and excitement to nervousness and sadness. Making a smooth transition into a new home is very important in helping to manage and to ease those homesick feelings. Homesickness is a natural feeling that almost everyone goes through,… Read more