Dorm Life

One of the defining aspects of college life is the residence hall. The anxiety associated with moving away from home, doing your own laundry and living with a complete stranger can keep many seniors awake at night. Indeed, dorm life is one of the one of the biggest adjustments to college. The questions that fly through high school seniors' minds are often anxiety-ridden: What if I don't get along with my roommate? Do I want the top bunk or the bottom bunk? Why if my roommate is messier than me? Will I be homesick?

To help with the transition to life away from home, Fort Lewis has developed some innovative programming for our residence halls. We offer five Living Learning Communities (LLC) -- exciting options for residential students. By joining an LLC, you live with other students with common interests and who are similarly invested in having fun and learning together. LLCs combine a common interest or theme with the social aspects of a campus housing community. The result is an experience that will last a lifetime.

In addition, Fort Lewis is excited to offer a new residence hall this fall. Animas Hall is the College’s new $12 million residence hall. The facility will offer 148 students suite-style living accommodations with the most modern conveniences, such as flat panel TVs and wireless Internet access. The hall will also include faculty/staff apartments and classroom space. Construction on the project has already begun and it is anticipated that students will begin moving in for the fall 2009 semester. Check out some of the photos below.

While dorm life can be overwhelming at first, conversations and time in my residence hall include some of my fondest college experiences. Its OK to be nervous, but remember your rooommate is as well. You're not alone in your feelings. Here are some quick tips on adjusting to your home away from home.

1. Talk to friends or older siblings who have lived in a college dorm. Get an understanding from them about the fun as well as the challenging aspects. If possible, try to spend the night with a colelge friend in his or her dorm room.

2. Prior to arriving on campus, call or e-mail your roommate. Get to know them as individual. Many a friendships are formed between college roommates. I still stay in touch with my freshmen roommate.

3. Once on campus, be social. Take the time to get to know your roommate and others on your hall. These are friendships that will last a lifetime.

4. Use Skype or other video/phone systems to communicate with your family. You're not as far away from home as you might first imagine.

Again, enjoy the transition to college. It's a lot of change, but it's exciting and a great time in your life.

Move-in Day

Move-in Day was last week. It was great to see our freshmen students settling into their new homes. As part of Move-in Day, Fort Lewis faculty and staff are there to lend a hand. Our involvement shows families that we care about their students and want to make Fort Lewis feel like a home away from home. After a long day of moving boxes and furniture, I was tired.

But I also had developed a Top 10 list for moving into dorms:

10. Measure your room first. I saw a good number of disappointed students who couldn't fit their extra-long couch into their room.

9. Hang a dry erase board on the exterior of your door so that friends can leave you messages.

8. Call your roommate prior to Move-In Day so that you can divide up items to bring such as TV, stereo, Wii, etc.

7. Bring posters. Add some of your personality to your walls.

6. Bring flip-flops or shower shoes for trips to the bathroom.

5. Don't use nails or screws when hanging up items. You'll pay for these marks on Move-Out Day.

4. Ask your parents to send care-packages to you. There's nothing like a care-package from home in the middle of the semester. An instant pick-me up.

3. Bring food and snacks. It might be a while before you make it to the grocery store. Stock up in advance.

2. Bring a hand-truck with wheels especially if you live on the 2nd floor. This will greatly ease your move-in process.

1. Enjoy the day, and get to know your hallmates. You'll spend a lot of time in your dorm. Be social and have fun!