for our future u of a sweethearts

After already getting some questions from high school seniors about the tiny but important details of this thing called college at this place called the University of Arkansas, I figured I’d lay it all out on the table as best I could.  I know second semester of senior year can lead to a whole lot of dorm room daydreaming! Here are a few ladies who dug deep to give you a good word of advice.  We hope this helps!

 Megan Rapp, Chi Omega, Lee Summit, MO – “A white comforter is a bad idea.  I got a stain on it.”

Anna Standridge, Chi Omega, Conway, AR- “It may be a hassle to bring your dress up trunk but a broke college girl plus sorority functions equals bad news bears.”

Megan Black, Pi Beta Phi, Houston, TX– “Attach something colorful to your keys or you will lose it in a bedspread. And maybe a cute hook for it by your door would be good, too.”

Ali Hastings, Chi Omega, Little Rock, AR– “Spend your flex dollars wisely. They go quick.”

Caroline Webb, Zeta Tau Alpha, Springfield, MO- “Once you start taking the Yellow Route bus, you’ll never stop. ”

Jaclyn Burnett, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Jonesboro, AR– “If you can find a smart friend in honors, room with them and you won’t regret it because you’re gonna get an end room. Swag.”

Sara Belmer, Chi Omega, Dallax, TX– “Don’t take a 7:30. Ever. Under any circumstances.”

Emma McNeil, Chi Omega, Jonesboro, AR- “Not bringing a TV to college was the best decision I’ve ever made.  And go out and be social from the get go. It helps.”

Paige Gentry, Pi Beta Phi, Searcy, AR- "Enjoy your parents while you can. Stay classy. Enjoy the easy homework."

Michaela Held, Chi Omega, Little Rock, AR- “Be prepared to get plenty of monogrammed towels for graduation, or at least make it a priority to obtain a towel wrap! It’s like a robe and a towel all in one, a must have for dorm life.”

Anna Kay Hilburn, Chi Omega, Kennett, MO- “Every boy needs a good game day accessory so make sure to grab a roll of those sorority stickers when you’re at the house.”

Morgan Peterson, Alpha Omicron Pi, Jonesboro, AR- “No need for wall decorations pre-rush.  You’ll get plenty on bid day.”

Laura Carpenter, Chi Omega, Marion, AR – “Get a good roommate. It means everything.”

Lindsey Sweetin, Chi Omega, Little Rock, AR – “Don’t let your room become the hangout room because you won’t go to sleep until 3am.”

Autumn Hulbert, Pi Beta Phi, Waco, TX- “Nobody else knows what they’re doing either.”

Kimber Changose, Chi Omega, Little Rock, AR- “If you land a resident reserved parking spot, be prepared to be the driver.”

Blakely Glass, Chi Omega, Memphis, TN- “Emergen-C. Look into it.”

Cat Bostwick, Kappa Delta, Little Rock, AR- “Remember that teacher reviews are anonymous.  So don’t try to apologize for the terrible review you gave her on the last page of your final exam.” …girl, oops.

Caroline Gibbons, Chi Omega, Marvell, AR- “When it comes to your grades, meetings with your professors are better than meetings with your friends. Trust me.”

Machen Beard, Chi Omega, Searcy, AR- “Investing in Netflix is a must.”

            

Hannah Hill, Alpha Omicron Pi, Heber Springs, AR- “A random roommate is not the worst thing that could happen.  They may end up being your best friend.”

Madeline Wagnon, Chi Omega, Shreveport, LA-"If you don't know who to room with, use Roommate profiler on the Arkansas Housing website.  It's like eHarmony for roommates. Trust me."

I also want to throw in a few things that I personally feel can make your year extra sweet:

-If you’re contemplating sorority recruitment, do it.  I mean it when I say I can’t imagine doing college without my sisters.  I thought it was cliché but I have met so many people, made my best friends, and grown so much as a woman just because of my first semester in a sorority.

-If you don’t think you want to live in Reid Hall because it’s too far away from the center of campus, think again.  I truly believe that it is the picture of the freshman experience.  I never once have to wait for a shower, I always have what I need, and no, no one steals all my clothes from my closet.  It’s the best way to meet girls that are not in your sorority and that is a huge blessing.

-Those being said, live as high up in the building as you can.  The ONLY day I regretted it was move-in day.  Every single other day, I am thanking God for the sunrise, I am staring right into the razorback football stadium, and I can see the mountains for miles and miles and miles.  Best decision ever. (The room numbers on the stadium side are 09-22)

-In my opinion, you don’t need a microwave.  There is one downstairs in the kitchen and I’ve only ever used mine to make popcorn.  Now a fridge on the other hand…go for it.

-You need a laundry hamper on rollers…I know they may not be as cute but please just trust me.

-Don’t get in a big fight with your parents on move-in day over things in your room.  I promise they are only temporary and you can always rearrange.

-The cuteness of your favorite shaggy rug is not worth the excess discovery of hairballs.

-Do not fret over the window side or the door side. I promise there are pros and cons to both.

-Bring hang up bags and duffle bags for the weekends that you have to go back home.  You don’t want to be the girl carrying all of her things home in trash bags.

-Write your name on all. your. clothes. They can get lost in the laundry room.

-Spend time decorating your room before you come.  I know it may seem overrated but coming home to my bright yellow room with a real headboard, a real bed skirt, and a curtain over the closet makes it feel way more homey than I could have ever hoped for.  It’s as cozy as can be. 

-Before you move in, discuss with your roommate whether or not you want to lock your doors every day.  My roommate and I both decided to lock the doors every time we left the room and it has kept us from having any problems.

-When buying appliances, TV, printer, or other things you will keep beyond freshman year, DON’T split the bill.  That prevents problems when you’re moving out.  You share all year and then when it’s time to go you know what’s yours and what’s theirs and it works out perfectly.
-It doesn’t matter whether you loft your bed or not…don’t over think it.

-And for all of the believers reading this, find a good bible study about identity and start it right when you get here.  It has easily been the most transitional year of my life thus far but at the end of the day I stayed sane because I knew who I was in Christ.

Now, for graduation you should ask for:

*Fleece lined leggings

*Towel Wraps

*A Wireless Router because Ethernet cords are no fun.

*A Keurig for you coffee drinkers

*House Shoes or Slippers

*Comfy Tennis Shoes

*Resident Reserved Parking

*Sonic, Starbucks, Walmart, and Chick-Fil-A gift cards (and don’t use them before you get here)

*Rain Boots and a heavy-duty raincoat

*A heavy coat for the next snowpocalypse

*An organizational planner…without it I wouldn’t survive.  Even your own hole punch and stapler are a big help.

*Cute shorts/skirts to wear with t-shirts during recruitment (If you’re unsure what size t-shirt to get when you sign up for rush, go with something more fitted.  It’s incredibly difficult to tuck an XL t-shirt into a pair of cute printed shorts; that doesn’t mean you’ll get a small on bid day.)

Finally, the sacred and SO hard to find Reid Hall Dorm Measurements:

*From the top of your shelf on your desk, to the ceiling is 39 inches.

*From the top of your bed board to the ceiling is 25 inches

*From the counter of your vanity to the top of your vanity is 23 inches tall and from the top of your vanity to the ceiling (AKA where most would put T.V. or storage bins) is 15 inches tall

*The ledge on the window side is 13 inches

*The closet is a total of 71 inches tall; 21 inches above the shelf in the closet, and 50 below.

*Bed skirts are different measurements based one where you loft your bed.  I’d recommend just making some and then basing your bed height off of something that works with it when you get here.

^^I’m not sure if these apply to an end room, rooms 08 and 23, but I know they apply to the regular and corner rooms!

Good luck and have fun! It's been the most fun semester of. my. life.  

Love, 

     Maggie B.