How to Enhance Your College Experience

Before starting your first semester at college, it is important to pack well so you are sufficiently prepared. This helps you start college smoothly, settle in, and manage stress levels effectively. If you have read any articles detailing basic college necessities, then essentials such as school supplies, clothing, and bedding will likely make it into your suitcase. However, some key items tend to be forgotten during the packing process. Discovering some unexpected essentials that you might not have on your packing list yet can help to make your men's housing experience at BYU-Idaho all the more enjoyable. Organizers A well-organized space makes life smoother on multiple fronts. Not only does it make it easier to keep your new home clean and tidy, but it can also support your studying. Multiple studies demonstrate a link between cluttered spaces and decreased mental performance. Investing in a few space-optimized organizing products will allow you to maintain a tidy space that promotes healthy study habits. There’s no shortage of products on the market that can help you maximize your space. Space-saving clothing hangers , drawer organizers, and under-the-bed storage solutions are all effective ways to keep your room from looking and feeling overly “busy,” without having to be too selective about what makes it into your suitcase and what gets left at home. Outlet Options College housing and outlets are a bit like cars and cup holders; there’s never quite as many as you’d like there to be, and in some cases, the ones that are there are located in awkward positions. Yet as a modern college student, you’ll depend on outlets to maintain your academic and social lives, not to mention keeping your sanity in check. Having to decide between charging your laptop and phone is an inconvenience you should not have to endure. You can’t change how many outlets your room has, but you can get creative with how you manage the ones it does have by packing an extension cord and a power strip . The extension cord opens up additional flexibility, allowing you to choose your furniture placement without being confined to outlet location, while a power strip can significantly multiply the number of outlets. Large power strips can power up to twelve devices from a single outlet. Just make sure the outlet has a surge protector, which can help keep your devices safe in the event of a sudden spike in electrical voltage. Rain Protection You might arrive at BYU-Idaho at the tail end of summer, but those warm days will soon give way to fall and winter conditions. Packing with October-March in mind will make your early months at BYU-I all the more enjoyable. Remember: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. You’ll likely have earmarked space in your luggage for warm clothing, but many newly-arriving students forget that having rain-ready clothes can be just as important for navigating Rexburg’s climate. Make sure to bring a rain jacket, and save it for a rainy day (literally). The weather is famously difficult to predict, but you can prepare for stormy days by investing in an umbrella and keeping it by the door so you do not forget to grab it on your way out to brave the elements. First Aid Supplies Packing first aid supplies is not likely to be at the top of your priorities list, but it can go a long way towards ensuring you can roll with the punches. Dealing with illnesses, allergies, and minor cuts and scrapes becomes much more manageable when you have a few key first aid essentials in your room: Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relief medicine, such as ibuprofen, offers a quick and convenient way to deal with minor aches and pains. If you ever get hit with a headache during your college experience, you’ll be thankful you made space for it in your suitcase. Allergy medicine: Rexburg can be delightful during the spring and fall months, but keep in mind that allergies can begin to flare around this period. Packing some antihistamines will allow you to enjoy all that the season has to offer to the fullest. Bandages and dressings: Accidents happen. A few bandages and dressings will allow you to treat minor cuts and scrapes at home, without having to visit the doctor. Cold and flu medicine: Spending so much time with your fellow students can be fun, but it always increases your chances of catching a cold. Packing some cold and flu medicine will be a lifesaver when you wake up with a sore throat and a runny nose. Transportable Storage Options College students are constantly coming and going. Just as you’ve gotten comfortable, you’ll be heading home for the holidays and or going on a trip for spring break. You’ll find the process of visiting home and other fun spots infinitely less stressful by investing in easily transportable storage that allows you to effortlessly move your belongings from one place to another (and then back again). Some smart solutions include:  Plastic storage bins: They’re strong, stackable, and easy to carry. Portable storage carts: Getting picked up? Storage carts have wheels, allowing you to simply roll your belongings to the car. Duffel bags: For lighter loads, duffel bags offer a convenient and flexible method of transporting your items. Enhance Your BYU-I Men’s Housing Experience At Northpoint, our luxury apartments provide the perfect place to live during your time at BYU-Idaho, providing the space you need to fit all your college necessities and enjoy life to the fullest. Contact us today to learn more about our men's housing availability or to schedule a tour.

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Sharing student housing with others comes with its challenges. It might be the first time you share a room with others. Having roommates can be an advantage, making getting to know others and having a vibrant social life more effortless. However, you may find it difficult to get alone time. Finding the right balance between privacy and your social life is important. You don't want to be so involved with your roommates that you never get time alone, but at the same time, you don't want to shut yourself away. If you're smart about how you use your time, you can achieve this balance. Setting boundaries, creating your own space, and setting up a schedule with roommates can all help. Why Privacy and Social Interactions Are Important Everyone needs privacy. At college, it helps you maintain your well-being and can be essential for achieving academic success, too. You need space to study in peace and time to examine your thoughts and feelings or just to unwind. But a vibrant social life is just as important, and college gives you the chance to really develop one. Spending time with others is good for your mental health . It helps you avoid loneliness, sharpens your mind, and boosts your mood. It could even help you live longer . Socializing enables you to build connections during college that could last a lifetime. How to Set Boundaries with Roommates Setting boundaries with your roommates is one of the best ways to create personal space for yourself. When you communicate with each other about your needs, you can all devise a solution that works for everyone. If you want to respect each other's boundaries, it's best to be upfront instead of waiting for tensions to rise. Try to have a polite discussion where everyone has their say. Set clear expectations and rules when you move in. These agreements might include dedicated hours for quiet studying or solo time in a shared bedroom. You could also talk about things like keeping the apartment clean and tidy and making sure you each know your responsibilities. It’s wise to draft a quick roommate agreement so you can refer to it later. Sometimes, conflicts and misunderstandings can arise. When this happens, there's no need for drama. If you can approach each other with kindness and understanding, you can get on the same page without fighting or falling out. If you feel compelled to address an issue, avoid being accusatory. Similarly, if your roommates want to discuss something with you, try not to be too defensive and remain open to resolving the concern. If you need help, consider bringing in a neutral third party to help mediate. To prevent problems from building and boiling over, it's a good idea to have regular check-ins. During these brief meetings, you'll have the opportunity to discuss how things are going and how you can collectively improve them for everyone. Creating Personal Space It can be tough to have your own space when you share an apartment and a room with others. But there are ways to do it so you and your roommates can have the personal time and space you need. Some of the steps you could take include: Using room dividers to separate rooms into smaller spaces Making use of noise-canceling headphones to block out noise from others, as well as keep your preferred audio to yourself Setting up a schedule to ensure everyone gets their alone time at some point during the day/week One of the most beneficial things you can have in shared student housing is a space you can retreat to. Even if it's just a corner or a space on your bed, it gives you somewhere to decompress, think, and relax without the pressure of having other people around. Managing Social Activities Your solo time matters, but it's also crucial that you don't retreat too far into your own world. College offers many opportunities to make new friends and create a fantastic social life. At the same time, you need to find a balance and make sure you're not spending too much time socializing instead of studying or recharging your batteries. You might want to get out there and start making friends, but it can be overwhelming. There's so much to do and so many people to meet, and you might feel like you can't miss out on anything. If you want a rich social life without getting overwhelmed, it's important to allow yourself to take a break. Set limits on your social time to ensure you have plenty of personal downtime. Respecting your roommates’ schedules and preferences is essential when planning social events at your apartment. If one of your roommates needs to study, it's not fair for you and your friends to disturb them–especially without warning. Respecting Each Other's Schedule and Space Everyone likes to organize their schedules for study, sleep, and other activities. Respecting each other's schedules helps to create harmony in your apartment. To be respectful of each other's space, try some of these strategies: Set quiet hours and use signals for when you want alone time. Set rules and schedules for using common areas. Schedule usage times and keep these spaces tidy. Be respectful of each other's belongings and personal space within common areas. Private and Shared BYU-Idaho Student Housing Sharing your home with others can be challenging, but you can make it work if you're respectful of each other. Start by aiming to communicate well and show each other respect and understanding. When you can respect each other, you can share your space in a way that works for everyone. Are you looking for the best student housing in Rexburg? Contact NorthPoint to learn about our private and shared student housing options .