How do you survive on your own in college? What skills do you need to thrive in your first year of college? Welcome to the College Survival Guide series! As you embark on this new chapter of your life, this series is designed to help you navigate the uncharted waters of your first year of college and beyond.
There are a lot of differences between your high school life and your college life. Today, let’s bridge the gap with some tips and advice for living on your own and thriving in this new college experience. The transition from high school to college can be hard, but with these tips, you’ll be feeling capable and independent in no time at all.
UNH students hanging out in residence hall room
Make your residence hall your home
Your residence hall and your residence hall room will be your new home. At UNH, all residence halls have communal lounges and kitchens, so there will always be somewhere to hang out outside of your room or cook a favorite meal.
Our top tips for making your residence hall feel like home:
- Pick out some fun new décor for your residence hall room while also adding some familiar items and pictures of family and friends for a homey feel.
- Reach out to your hall director and resident assistant (RA) for help and guidance with any questions or issues you may have.
- Take advantage of joining in the fun social activities for your residence hall community and keep your door open to meet new friends on your hall.
UNH student doing laundry in residence hall
Learn to do laundry
In college, you’ll be responsible for doing your own laundry. At UNH, all our on-campus residence halls and apartment complexes have a laundry room with washers and dryers. You won’t need quarters since you can add money to your student ID card and swipe it for each load.
Our top laundry tips:
- Check all of your pockets before putting clothes in the washer.
- Check the washer and dryer before adding your own clothes to make sure no one left anything inside, and double-check them after you take your clothes out so you don’t lose anything!
- Pick a time during the week when you don’t have class to do laundry and beat the weekend rush.
learn more about doing laundry on campus
UNH students eating in Holloway Commons dining hall
Fuel yourself
As a college student, you’ll be responsible for fueling your body with nourishing food. At UNH, you’ll have access to a wide variety of delicious options in our two main dining halls, including options for allergies and dietary restrictions. In our college town, downtown Durham, you’ll find a supermarket and lots of yummy options, from falafel to pizza.
Our top dining tips:
- Make time to eat meals. Even as your schedule gets hectic or you’re spending long hours studying, be sure to fuel your body. UNH offers lots of grab-and-go options from our retail dining locations.
- Find your favorite meals on campus to help you feel more at home. Our many dining options make it easy to find what you enjoy.
learn more about dining at UNH
related posts:
Your Guide to Living on Campus at UNH
Are you wondering about UNH’s housing options? Where do first-year students live on campus? Read on for answers to some commonly-asked questions about UNH’s housing options. read more about living on campus
