From living in a residence hall to studying on campus, we’re covering it all. The Edge staff has you covered. After all, we’ve been in your shoes!

Moving into a residence hall – whether suite-style or dorm-style – takes some adjusting. Don’t worry, we’ve lived there and have some tips for a smooth transition.

Wash your hands frequently. Community living is great – there’s always someone around to hang out with – but with a lot of people come a lot of germs. When the kids in the room at the end of the hall get a cold, it’s only a matter of time until the entire wing has the sniffles. If you’re proactive, though, you can stay healthy. Wash your hands several times throughout the day, and get in the habit of disinfecting items such as your computer and cell phone.

Stay organized. Moving from your parents’ home to college is an adjustment for everybody. Instead of having an entire house where all your belongings can live, you’re going to have a room (that you’re most likely sharing). There’s enough space for everything you’ll need at college, but the more organized you are, the more you can bring with you. And, you’ll be able to find it quicker, too. Need a way to organize those random items lying around – shoes, lotion, laundry soap, etc.? Try an over-the-door organizer. Think about totes or baskets for under your bed, too. Just knowing where everything belongs can relieve a lot of stress.

Leave your room. It’s easy to get sucked in to seasons of “Dexter” on Netflix. It’s even easier to fall asleep during one of those episodes and nap an afternoon away. You certainly deserve some down time by yourself every now and then, but make sure you venture from your room on occasion. Grab “Just Dance” or a movie and head down to the lounge with your floor mates.

Talk to your roommate. You’ll probably hear this one a lot, but there’s a reason why it’s repeated so frequently. Most people get along just fine with their roommate, but some small issues are to be expected. If there’s something that’s bothering you, just address it nicely. Don’t let it bug you for too long, because then it will seem like a bigger problem than it is. And if you and your roommate can’t work through conflicts on your own, don’t hesitate to talk to your resident assistant – that’s what they’re there for. Take your roommate agreement form seriously when you move in, and you should be set for the year.

Have questions for the Edge staff? Email us at edge@gannon.edu and we’ll get you the answers you need!