Monday, February 19, 2018
THE DAILY ILLINI Housing Guide
Monday, February 19, 2018
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Monday, February 19, 2018
Inseparable: A roommate turned best friend BY ASHLEY RAYAN STAFF WRITER
I met my roommate the way I imagine many people in the 21st century meet their significant others: the internet. I spruced up my social media, aware that this would be everyone’s first impression of me. I crafted a message for the University’s Class of 2021 Facebook group that contained the same cliches as every other post: “I’m pretty clean,” “I’m super chill” and “I’m here to study, but I’m pretty social too!” I picked five pictures to showcase how ‘fun’ and ‘social’ and ‘normal’ I was, and after hours of careful proofreading from my best friends, I posted it. For the next three days I would check the post almost obsessively, looking to see if anyone had commented or liked my post. After the first few hours, the comments and messages began to trickle in. “Hey, you seem chill! I think we should room together” and “Message me!” were two common phrases I found littering my notifications. Two days after I posted, I got the fateful message: “Hey! I’m Dayna, I’m not committed to UIUC yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m going there. Are you still looking for a roommate?” Over the next two weeks, Dayna and I bonded over our families, Lollapalooza tickets and indecision over whether we would commit to the University. We messaged each other constantly, talked about prom and exchanged numbers and Snapchat usernames. Two weeks after we had messaged each other, we agreed to meet for dinner at our favorite place, Noodles & Company, located conveniently between our two hometowns. Before I left to meet her, my friends and I poured through her social media. I was giddy with excitement about meeting my possible future roommate, yet simultaneously incredibly nervous. What if we were totally incompatible? What if she thought I was weird? What if I thought she was weird? That day, we spent almost three hours discussing everything roommate-related over our bowls of mac and cheese. For the entire dinner, there was a strange tension. We talked about sleep schedules, majors and whether we were OK with sharing clothes. But both of us were too nervous to actually ask if we wanted to room with the other. Finally, nearing three hours of us laughing over our similarities, I blurted out, “So we’re rooming together, right?” “Yes! I was too scared to ask you that,” she said. After dinner, we made plans to meet up again soon and went our separate ways. On
my way home, I called my parents to give them the good news. “I loved her!” A few weeks later, we picked our room and were disappointed to discover that we were living in one of the last places on our list: Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall. Although I had never visited, Dayna reassured me that it was a decent place to live and said her four best friends would be living in the same building. Over the following summer, Dayna and I met up just a handful of times. Every time, I felt as though we were compatible. We texted constantly: Who was bringing the microwave? Do we need a TV? How are we going to survive without air conditioning? Should we get matching comforters or is that weird? I’d always considered myself a fairly easy-going person, and I knew Dayna and I would get along perfectly. I had a prior engagement scheduled for move-in weekend, so after dropping off all my stuff at the University, my family and I attended my cousin’s wedding. Dayna moved in shortly after me and texted me all the important moments. She live-texted me a floor meeting and added me to all our floor group chats. Although I was sad about missing out on one of the most integral moments of freshman year, Dayna made sure I wasn’t actually left out. She picked up something for me at every booth at Quad Day, and when I returned to campus the Sunday before the first day of classes, she had laid them all out on my bed with a special note. I felt as though we had known each other our whole lives. Throughout the first few days, Dayna was my only friend. We were attached at the hip, eating every meal together, hanging out between classes, watching movies together on the weekends. She introduced me to her high school friends living in our building, who I would have never met had it not been for her. To this day, they remain my closest friends. I had in no way been prepared for what it’s like to live with a roommate. Although I had shared a room with my sister for a few years, we had more than a few feet to roam around. In our tiny LAR dorm room, I could touch Dayna’s bed while sitting on my own. When I got sick, Dayna would fill up my water bottle late at night and check on me between classes. When we spend long nights out with our sorority sisters or at the library, neither of us can sleep until we know the other is home and safe. A trip to the grocery store SEE BFF | 4
PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY RAYAN
Ashley Rayan and Dayna Rebecca first met over the summer on the “University of Illinois Class of 2021” Facebook group. Rayan and Rebecca live together in Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall.
Monday, February 19, 2018
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BFF
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I firmly believe that your roommate is one of the defining factors in whether you enjoy your freshman year. If you pick a good one, he or she can become your confidant and make campus feel like an extension of home. If you don’t, your own bedroom feels like a battleground. I can genuinely say that without Dayna as my roommate, my freshman year would not be half as amazing as it has been. I could not have asked for a better supporter, person or friend to share a room with.
was never complete without us texting, “Hey, do you need anything?” Although I considered myself an early riser before college, I eventually adopted her sleep schedule, becoming a night owl. One night during finals week, I was checking out at the credit store when, on a whim, I picked up a cookie for Dayna. On the way home, I texted her, “I’m bringing you a cookie from the credit store!” She responded, “No way! I went there today and I bought Ashley is a freshman in Business. you a cookie too.” amrayan2@dailyillini.com
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Staff writer Ashley Rayan with her roommate Dayna Rebecca. Rayan says she and Rebecca must rely on each other to get through the difficulties of freshman year.
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Seize the rainy day: fun activities to do indoors BY JULIE KANG STAFF WRITER
With the spring season come rainy days. You may not be able to go outdoors much, so you have to find other ways to entertain yourself — and maybe your friends — indoors. Here are several fun activities you can do inside when it is raining.
Go to your favorite cafe
Use the dry days to explore different spots on campus. You may discover your new favorite study space or find your new favorite place to get coffee. There are many popular cafes on campus including Starbucks, Espresso Royale, Caffe Paradiso, BrewLab and Caffe Bene. There’s also Bevier Cafe, a student-operated restaurant and cafe on Goodwin Avenue. It sells breakfast, lunch foods and afternoon snacks for student-friendly prices. Buy your favorite drink and settle in for a cozy time.
Grab a book, do your homework or study
Snuggle under your covers with a book you’ve been wanting to read or find one that matches your interests using Goodreads. College life can get busy, so take this time to immerse yourself in a book or even a magazine. If you are loaded with homework or have an upcoming exam, motivate yourself to finish your work. Make your day productive by finishing whatever work you need to get done, and then feel free to relax.
Cook or bake
Ditch the takeout or dining hall and make your own food, whether it be a fancy meal or just ramen. If you’re feeling something sweet, bake a batch of cookies. The satisfaction that goes into eating food you made yourself will be worth the time put into it. You might even discover a new hidden talent.
Spend your day at the Illini Union
The Illini Union has many indoor activities you can participate in to pass the time. There is a recreation room in the basement with bowling alleys, billiards and arcade games, and it’s a perfect place to hang out with your friends. If you get tired and hungry, there are plenty of places in the building to eat, including Qdoba, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Sbarro, Auntie Anne’s and Wendy’s. The Illini Union also has films on the weekend, which gives students the opportunity to watch the latest movies for free. Check the Union’s event calendar for oth-
BRIAN NGUYEN THE DAILY ILLINI
er events such as author signings and jam sessions.
several places where you can rent games if you don’t have any, such as the Undergraduate Library or the SDRP.
One way to stay indoors and still be productive is to do some spring cleaning. Do your laundry, vacuum the floors, wash your sheets and fix up whatever else needs tidying. Even organizing your desk can make a difference in the overall cleanliness of your room. A nice cleaning session will leave you feeling happy and refreshed, and it will make your roommate happy to live in a more clean environment.
Catch up on sleep
Clean your room
Go on a date with your laptop
Have a movie marathon or binge-watch all episodes of your favorite TV show. Do some online shopping to fulfill your guilty pleasures. Play trending games or your childhood favorites. Turn on some music and have your own private jam session. Go through all your social media or watch YouTube videos. Write a poem or short story. There is a lot you can do on your laptop without having to get out of bed.
Play games with your friends
Put down the electronics and pass the time with games like Uno and Monopoly. Upgrade the game by placing bets and making punishments for the loser, which will make the game more intense. There are
If your sleep schedule has been a mess, use the weather as an excuse to sleep in or to take a long, restful nap. It will get you feeling fresh and ready to take on the rest of the week. Some people say the sound of rain soothes them and helps them fall asleep, so you might find you sleep better in this weather. Enjoy the feeling of being cozy and warm indoors while it is raining outside.
Hit the gym
Rainy weather can sometimes make you feel more dreary and less inclined to be active. Fight the urge to lay in your bed all day, put on workout clothes and go to the ARC or CRCE. You can swim laps, run on the treadmill or even sit in the sauna. There are often intramural sports or sports activities going on in the gyms that you can join or sign up for, so get active. It might just help you lose the freshman 15.
Go ice skating
als and snacks from the Ice Café. Dress warmly and bring gloves for a good time; you don’t have to be a good skater to enjoy being on the ice! Kill two birds with one stone: Get your workout in and have fun at the same time.
Meal prep
If you live in an apartment, you probably know the struggle of finding the time to make three meals per day. To avoid this, take this time to make a couple extra servings for later in the week. If you store away the helpings in your fridge, it will only take a couple minutes to heat them up in between classes, saving you a ton of time to relax or to catch up on homework for your next class.
Go shopping
There’s nothing like a rainy day to get a few chores out of the way. If you’ve been running low on toothpaste for a while, this is your chance to stock up. The same goes for toilet paper, paper towels or any other supplies you might need. Do you have any formal events coming up? Treat yourself by buying a new outfit. Buying yourself something new is the perfect way to make your gloomy day a little brighter.
Visit the Ice Arena next to the Armory with a group of friends. University students get free admission if you bring your i-card, Julie is a freshman in Media. so bring $2 and a little extra for skate rent- sekang2@dailyillini.com
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Dorm vs. apartment: What’s best for you? BY MOLLY ZUPAN STAFF WRITER
Finding a new living space, on or off campus, in a dorm or in an apartment, can be a hassle. If you find yourself stuck, here are some pros and cons of dorm and apartment life, from the perspective of someone who has lived in both.
Dorm life
Utilities included
Unlike apartments, internet, cable, water and electricity are not an additional charge in dorms. They are included in room and board fees, so students don’t need to deal with the hassle of extra bills. Apartments typically charge monthly for these services.
Meal plan
All residence halls require students to sign up for a meal plan, so you are provided with a variety of food at particular times throughout the day. Students in apartments can also sign up for a meal plan, but this is an extra cost that many students choose to avoid. SEE DORM/APARTMENT | 9
COLLEEN ROMANO THE DAILY ILLINI
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Monday, February 19, 2018
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FROM 8
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can offer good advice when you’re stuck on a difficult decision.
the freedom to cook up whatever you’d like, or cook nothing at all. It’s up to you.
Less to take care of
Extra amenities
Lower cost
Compared with apartments, dorms require less cleaning simply because there is less space. Common areas and public bathrooms are cleaned by maintenance, so you’ll only be responsible for things like making your bed or throwing away food. If you’re a fan of simplicity and less responsibility, a dorm may be better for you because there will be less to worry about.
Social life
In residence halls, students are surrounded by one another and have the opportunity to connect and make friends. Hall coordinators plan events and socials regularly for students to engage with one another and become comfortable in their new environment. If you are the type that is looking to make new friends, then check out dorms because they may be best for you to build up that network that you need.
Resident advisor (RA)
RA’s are available to all students in all dorms, and they are there for a reason. Reach out to them for moral support, comfort, study tips and advice. Some RA’s like to give out sweet treats, like goody bags or words of encouragement. RA’s are usually older and
Most residence halls on campus also come equipped with other spaces for your pleasure and use. Study rooms, pianos, pool tables, Ping-Pong tables and more can be found throughout halls on campus. These spaces are available to all residents and are great places to go if your roommate is napping or if you want to study with a friend.
On-campus
If you frequently sleep through your alarm, or like to wake up minutes before class, a dorm may be best for you. All residence halls are located on-campus and are likely much closer to your classes. Dorms may also bring you closer to important places on campus such as the Undergraduate Library or the Main Quad.
Apartment living
More space
An obvious advantage of living in an apartment is more space. Standard apartments include a kitchen, bathroom and living space, as well as individual bedrooms. Some units even come with individual laundry units, so you can get your laundry done when you need to. A kitchen also gives you
Room and board fees can be expensive for some students, so apartment life may be the better option. Keep in mind, firstyear students are required to live on-campus, but after that, apartments become an option. There are a wide variety of apartments available in the Urbana-Champaign area, with varying prices, which are based on size, location and quality, among other things. Choose the price that is best for you, considering all of the amenities that come with it.
Privacy
In residence halls and dorms, this is hard to come by. In apartments, however, privacy is a lot more available. Even if you choose a shared apartment arrangement, which are abundant in Urbana-Champaign, you will typically have a private bedroom. In an apartment, you will be able to nap, change your clothes, practice for a presentation or just watch TV, all in complete solitude.
Food freedom
Students in apartments are not required to buy a meal plan, so you can spend your money on food that you want specifically. This method is typically cheaper than the
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Keep in mind, first-year students are required to live in dorms, but after that, apartments become an option. University's meal plans and can save you money for other needs such as cleaning supplies or textbooks. Breaking out the cooking ware can teach you good life skills and relieve stress from your long day at class.
Less regulation
In dorms, students may have strictly enforced codes of conduct. Apartments give you much more independence and freedom and allow you to come and go as you please. There tend to be fewer restrictions on what you can do with your own space. For example, candles and toasters are prohibited in the dorms for safety reasons. Those who prefer independence should consider signing an apartment lease. Molly is a sophomore in FAA. mollyz2@illinimedia.com
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How to beat the inevitable dining hall blues BY MELISSA NIEMIEC STAFF WRITER
I remember the days as a blissful freshman, boasting to my siblings about how my dining hall food was actually pretty good and getting excited about eating the interesting cultural dishes that my mother would never cook at home. Then, I discovered dining hall meals are on a rotation. At first you’re in denial saying, “I can just go to the specialty restaurants,” and, “I really like this butterfly shrimp, so I don’t mind eating it every single Sunday.” But, now it’s spring semester and I bet you’re stopping at Bangkok Thai, guilty that you’re wasting money on a meal, but not able to choke down the same chicken you’ve been eating all fall semester. Luckily with a little creativity, you can make your stomach and your wallet happy.
Turn a sad salad into a super one
The protein at most dining hall salad bars is usually shabby at best, but who says you have to only make a salad at the salad bar? Spice up that unappe-
tizing pile of veggies with some cut up chicken or pork swiped from other sections of the dining space. Also, since salad bars tend to only offer cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce and other basic toppings, you can also borrow some seasoned veggies, like broccoli or cabbage, from the other side of the dining hall to add a little flavor.
it’s from the vegan section, or possibly it’s ethnically different from what you usually eat. Maybe you ate your mother’s ravioli once and 5-year-old you decided thou shalt never eat ravioli again. If you’re bored of your routine, branch out and try something new. You might just find your favorite meal.
Make everything a sandwich
Take a cooking class at the ARC
This is an especially good move for breakfast when eggs, some kind of meat and potatoes are the items served every day. The sandwich fixings are out at all times of day in most dining halls, so it’s very easy to create new flavors by stacking them up in a delicious ‘wich. You can bring unlikely flavors together by adding a sauce, sticking them between two buns and digging in. Don’t be afraid to get a little wacky!
Try new things
This one is simple, but students are often hesitant to do it. There is always that one item served at the dining hall you’ve never eaten because you’re convinced it’s too weird or that you wouldn’t like it at all. Maybe
The ARC’s instructional kitchen has cooking classes for $10 almost every Wednesday from 5:30-7 p.m. Though this isn’t free, it teaches you a skill and is generally a fun thing you can do with your friends. It is a demonstration, so in the class you’re only having samples, but you are encouraged to bring containers to take food home with you. If you’re interested in a class, call the ARC at least three days in advance to let them know you’re coming. Instead of going out with your friends for dinner and a movie, take a cooking class together so you can eat and learn a new skill at the same time. Melissa is a sophomore in LAS. mn3@dailyillini.com
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If you’re sick of eating the same food each week that is provided by the University dining halls, make a change. There are many simple ways to spice up your meals without breaking the bank.
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How to bring good feng shui to your room ed and keep your skin from drying out. A diffuser used with scents like lavender, sage For thousands of years, people all over or eucalyptus will make your room more the world have been using feng shui to har- soothing, and they are also healthier than monize their living environments and to traditional air fresheners. improve their lives. Feng shui is more a lifestyle change and Step 3: Get a plant less a set of rules which must be strictly Whether it’s a set of succulents or a big followed. This makes the practice perfect spider plant, plants are pretty much essenfor college students because it is budget- tial in feng shui. friendly, flexible and open to individual The color green represents harmony and interpretation. can liven up any room. Also, many plants have air purifying qualities. If you’re worStep 1: Declutter your life ried about killing your plant, pick one that The driving force of feng shui is “chi,” requires as little care as possible. positive energy that flows through space. A bonsai tree is a great option because Things like clutter, bad smells, dirty clothes each tree is unique and adds character to and an unmade bed all disrupt the flow your room. of chi. Though they can be expensive, finding You will immediately feel a difference in a reasonably priced tree is not hard at all. the chi in your room after you have com- Check out local flower shops to find your pleted this step. perfect plant and be sure to get advice on Start off with making a pile of items you how to properly take care of it. no longer need or want, and toss them. Next, categorize everything you own and Step 4: Accessorize your room plan a designated space for them. A patterned rug or tapestry can bring There should be no junk drawer, your the room together. If you get a rug, place clothes should be folded neatly in your clos- it in the middle of the room to balance all et and there should be no loose items like sides. If you are in a dorm, consider lofting pens or papers on your desk. You should be your bed and putting your rug underneath mindful of the presence and placement of to create a cozy nook. every item in your room. When putting up pictures, be mindful of the spacing. Don’t just randomly tape Step 2: Purify the air in your room stuff up. Open your windows and your door to Make sure there is a pattern and that allow air to move through your room. Open everything looks uniform. Remember, wall all the blinds and let in natural light. decorations should enhance the room withThis will freshen up your space and make out disrupting the flow of chi. you feel more connected to the world. Try Use colors to enhance the energy of your to air out your room a few times a week. You room. Every color adds something new. A will notice that the air you breathe is much yellow seat cushion, a purple flower pot or more pleasant and satisfying. a red throw pillow can be exactly what you Also, consider investing in a humidifier need to balance out your space. and an oil diffuser. The air in dorm rooms and apartments can become very dry. A Meral is a sophomore in LAS. humidifier can help you feel less dehydrat- aycicek2@dailyillini.com BY MERAL AYCICEK
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Finding an apartment is not an easy process ELANI KAUFMAN ASSISTANT BUZZ EDITOR
After two years in the dorms, I knew it would be time to get out. I idealized what apartment life would be like, dreaming of a room of my own and a kitchen that didn’t subscribe to dining hall hours. But when it came time to figure out my living situation, my dream-world bubble was popped. I had no idea what I was getting into. When I called my dad, a University alum, for apartment-hunting advice, I received no help — my dad had lived in a fraternity all four years and knew nothing about living outside the fraternity house. I was given one piece of advice: get renter’s insurance. With that thoughtful but rather useless sentiment, I began the search for an apartment, along with my current roommates. I had many considerations when scrolling through the leasing agencies of ChampaignUrbana: location, price, location, utilities. I wanted to find a place that made sense location-wise, close enough to the Main Quad that I wouldn’t have to lose too much precious sleep, but far enough that the rent wasn’t astronomical. Then, of course, there was transit: Could I hop on a bus and get to my job in Urbana, or would I have to walk in the icy, frigid Midwest winter in the mornings? An aspect of apartment-hunting that isn’t at first apparent is utilities. The price of rent is meaningless unless you know what utilities are included in it. An apartment might look like a steal until you add the utilities in. Internet, electricity and water are all things that cost money and if it isn’t included in the rent, it’s additional bills to take care of at the end of each month. My naive former self was duped a few times by this, only to be heartbroken by the actual price of rent. Visiting potential apartments was a beast of its own. Trying to coordinate a tour through an apartment with three other people in different majors on different schedules that
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make it near impossible for times to align is like an Olympic sport. After touring multiple buildings came the arguing. The apartment had to be realistic for each person and given how spread out my roommates and I were across campus, sacrifices had to be made. No one was going to get everything she wanted, and the sooner we accepted that the easier it was to make decisions. If anything, the apartment-hunting process
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taught me it’s the prime opportunity to learn if you’ll get along with your roommates and to get a good idea if you can honestly live together. People’s true colors come out when they are arguing. A few friends of mine got so fed up during the hunting process that they ended up finding new roommates because of this. Luckily, my future roommates and I agreed on certain things, but price ended up preventing us from choosing our favorite place. We ended up going with our second choice,
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which somehow miraculously worked out for everyone. In the end, I am happy with the result. I can hop on a bus when I have a morning shift at work, and I can cook whenever I please. But most importantly, I can get a few extra minutes of shut-eye in the morning, and really, is there anything more valuable than that?
Elani is a junior in LAS. ekaufmn2@dailyillini.com
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Bridging the cultural divide: living with an international student
her hometown was in China. My first feeling, after receiving my roommate Coming to college, I had no idea what assignment, was worry. I was worried I to expect from my random roommate would do something to diminish her colassignment. All summer, I wondered lege experience if I said the wrong thing what this girl would be like. Maybe she’d or behaved in the wrong way. I had never be from Naperville, Illinois, with long interacted with someone my age from blond hair, looking to join the perfect China before, and I was worried about sorority and an capella group. Or maynot only being a bad roommate, but a bad be she’d be from Southern Illinois, with person. Now, I wonder if she felt the same a slight country accent and flare jeans. way. Or, maybe she’d be from New York with a However, I let all that worry go as pixie haircut, like mine at the time. The quickly as I could. I emailed her that options were endless. same day, introducing myself and askI remember the day I found out who my ing her about herself. We exchanged a few roommate would be. I was on my way to emails about when we would arrive to work at an outlet mall in the Chicago sub- campus and coordinating who would buy urbs. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and a microwave and a refrigerator. I recognized the email notification vibraShe got to school first. When I arrived, tion pattern. My stomach jumped when I we went to the dining hall together. We saw something like “University of Illinois got lost on the bus to Target together. We Housing” in the subject line, and I imme- visited the Dump & Run by the YMCA to diately scrolled through the email, barely get a mini-fridge together. When we were reading its contents at first. signing our roommate agreement, we sat I came across her name at the bottom of the email. It didn’t roll off my SEE INTERNATIONAL| 15 tongue too easily at first. I noticed that BY ANDREA FLORES
ASSISTANT DAYTIME EDITOR/LONGFORM EDITOR
THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO
Andrea Flores talks about her experience living with an international student her freshman year in Pennsylvania Avenue Residence. Flores found it a rewarding experience she is glad to have had.
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INTERNATIONAL on my bed for hours, just talking about life. I learned about where she grew up, what her family was like and how it felt for her to be so far away from home. Our friendliness diminished over time, like many other roommate situations I have heard of. Eventually, we weren’t talking as much and we operated on our own schedules. Like normal roommates, we’d (nicely) kick each other out if we wanted to have friends or a boy over. We made snarky remarks about our cleanliness or whose turn it was to buy more paper bowls and plastic forks. I realize now, two years later, that my worry came from my own lack of understanding of the situation. Even though she was from a different place, we were both just college students, handling things day by day, and I didn’t need to worry about possibly offending her as much as I thought. Interacting with someone new and from a different place than myself was rewarding for that reason. Andrea is a junior in Media. aflore14@dailyillini.com TONI PANTONE THE DAILY ILLINI
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Five ways to be a good neighbor in college BY TYLER PANLILIO ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR
Neighbors might not be one of the biggest parts about college — until it’s 1 a.m. on a Friday morning and your neighbor is blasting music. Rude neighbors are a handful to deal with, but it all could be avoided if there’s some communication. Here are five ways to be a good neighbor.
Don’t stomp
This is the most straightforward thing to avoid, yet most students who do it have never thought otherwise. If you live above someone, you might be unaware that your footsteps sound like falling cinder blocks to the person below. Just don’t stomp. This is especially important when it’s late at night and you need to venture out of your room, or when it’s early in the morning and you’re getting ready.
Stay on the same page
Make an effort to communicate with neighbors if something noisy is happening at your apartment. There’s nothing wrong with throwing a banger the weekend after midterms, but some people prefer to relax instead. Letting your neighbors know it’s probably going to get loud
is basic common courtesy, and inviting them is even better. And it’s not just for parties; the same should be done for anything else that might be of concern.
Be friendly
It’s always nice to have friendly faces, especially when it comes down to whoever lives next door. Of course, this isn’t to say everyone should be best friends with their neighbors. But being friendly and welcoming, even if it’s as simple as a polite smile and a wave, can go a long way. Everyone likes to be treated nicely, so why not include your neighbors?
ighbor...
Dear ne
Respect their parking spot
If one of your neighbors has a parking spot, don’t assume you can use it, even if you’re both on good terms. And if they’re not using it at the moment, try to avoid having your parents, friends or even yourself park in their spot. If it comes down to it, definitely ask them beforehand. If they aren’t responding, let them know you absolutely needed it in a pinch. No one likes to be left in the dark when it comes to someone else using what’s theirs.
COLLEEN ROMANO THE DAILY ILLINI
Keep it clean
It’s easy to forget cleaning up after yourself also applies outside of your apartment. For those who have rec rooms or computer labs, remember other people might need to use these facilities too. Making sure to clean up after yourself when leaving is a
good thing to keep in mind. And for those who throw ragers, remember it can get wild. After the party, make sure to check if there’s any trash below your balcony or outside the front door. Tyler is a sophomore in Media. tylerjp2@dailyillini.com
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The battle between person and suitcase the most of the space you have, which means deciding what is worth having there. When packing a suitcase, this probably means reassessing what you really need to take with you because space is the limiting factor. It becomes especially important to prioritize what you really need to take with you when you have an accurate idea of how much space you have to work with.
BY YOAV MARGALIT STAFF WRITER
Packing quickly and efficiently for travels is not an easy task for most. You don’t have room, but you do have stuff — a lot of stuff — so you are forced to roll up your sleeves and pack your suitcase with organized direction instead of haphazard action. When faced with this unfortunate situation, here are a few tips to ease the situation.
Learn some new tricks
Place items efficiently
When packing a suitcase, it’s important to keep in mind that you aren’t packing a two-dimensional object. You can assume that if that suitcase is going anywhere then it will be rotated at least twice, and probably more. That means putting things at the bottom of a suitcase that might respond poorly to a lot of pressure (such as some toiletries) is a bad idea. It might not seem like too much pressure when you’re packing, but once that suitcase is righted and rolling, the stuff at the bottom might be under more pressure than you expected.
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A suitcase packed with textbooks and other essentials for a weekend back home. Staff writer Yoav Margalit recommends packing items efficiently in order to make the most of your space.
Think about space
Dealing with space means realizing which things take up the most space and then tak-
ing the worst offenders someplace else. The point isn’t to conserve space since the space will end up being used by the end of the packing process. The point of packing is to make
Folding clothes can go a long way toward lowering the space they take up and the wrinkles they accumulate. A tip for folding clothes is to arrange them in such a way that you take them out of the drawer or suitcase where they’re folded over, or else they might unfold while you’re taking them out. If the clothes are folded similarly enough, they can stack up very consistently. This is a good opportunity to snugly fit in other things between the piles. Cushioning more fragile items with stacks of folded clothing is a good way to save space while ensuring your novelty teacup set remains whole. Yoav is a junior in LAS. yoavm2@dailyillini.com
Monday, February 19, 2018
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Monday, February 19, 2018
How to be prepared in case of an emergency BY YOAV MARGALIT STAFF WRITER
You’ve got a schedule. There’s a routine. There are things you have to get done so you can live your life, but at some point, a problem will come up. It’s when that problem arrives that being prepared pays off, so instead of being stuck with irritation, you feel vindicated. Here are a few categories where preparedness makes the difference.
Hygiene
Having only one of everything you use daily means being out of luck when something gets lost or broken. The solution? Pack a spare. Doubling up on toothbrushes, razor blades, soap and other necessities can help. It might seem obvious, but the only thing more exasperating than systematic foresight is annoyed hindsight. It isn’t really a question of whether you can replace this stuff (57 North at Ikenberry Commons or Penn Station at PAR has replacements for a higher price), but it is a question of convenience. You can find out that you’re missing something at the most inconvenient time possible, which makes getting a replacement frustrating.
Electronics
On a technological campus like this one, there is no way to avoid all the things we need computers for. Being able to deal with digital speed bumps should be high up the list of priorities. Backing up everything now leads to avoiding a lot of heartache later on. This can look a couple different ways, but as far as supplies are concerned, it usually involves a backup hard disk. It only takes a few minutes on a bi-weekly basis to back up your content and it can save the day when you’re the one facing the soulcrushing glow of a blue screen. While a bit outside the topic of prepping for an emergency, other ways to back up include emailing files to yourself, taking pictures of written notes or work and keeping printed copies. Additionally, having a second set of chargers for all your devices can make all the difference, considering the smartest phone in the world is about as dumb as a brick without power. The same can be said for a spare set of headphones, computer mouse and whatever cables you might end up needing.
Medicine
There is a wide spectrum of what is actually warranted where medicine is
ELISABETH NEELY THE DAILY ILLINI
An organized drawer in a student’s dorm. Keeping everything in a certain place makes it easier to look for something when short on time.
concerned. Depending on your situation at the University, some options might be more or less practical. However, a good rule of thumb for figuring out what is reasonable to keep on hand is the following question: If I’m feeling sick enough that I can’t do what I need to do, what reasonable measures can I take to fix that? This question has different answers for different people. Some people might answer it by having instant coffee and a kettle close at hand and powering through their sleep-deprived day in a caffeinated blitz. Other people just need to make sure they have a bottle of water or two near where they sleep. For situations where you need to stay vertical long enough to make it to a doctor’s office, sit through a midterm or oth-
erwise get through a non-negotiable part of your day, it can help to have a bottle of acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) on hand. It’s important to follow the directions on the bottle, but acetaminophen can let you get up to face the world through headaches, fevers and general soreness. Just be sure to keep it to extraordinary circumstances. Other medical supplies that have nothing to do with being sick include bandages of all sizes (ranging from covering paper cuts to larger scrapes), disinfectant spray and an elastic bandage or two. If the amenities in your housing include a freezer, then ice packs can be helpful too, especially for when your wake-up call includes banging your elbow on the wall at the start of your day.
Finding an unpleasant surprise where you were expecting business as usual is not fun. Not having the means to conveniently deal with this unpleasant surprise is worse. If you want to avoid this, it’s helpful to prepare beforehand. When thinking about what kinds of things to supply yourself with at home, only a step behind ‘basic necessity’ on the list of priorities should be ‘how to keep basic necessities in case of emergency.’ It doesn’t take much work to set up well. If you don’t need it, fine. If you do? That’s the part where those who prepare smile and those who don’t groan.
Yoav is a junior in LAS. yoavm2@dailyillini.com
Monday, February 19, 2018
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Spring cleaning: Making your room livable BY ZACK FISHMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The pains of a small room are wellknown: cramped closets, cluttered desks and junk scattered across the floor. The demands of last winter’s finals may have left your room neglected, but it’s not too late to clean up. With spring on its way, here are a few tips to create a clean and enjoyable living space.
Store, donate, trash
From unworn clothing to Quad Day junk, unnecessary items can accumulate to take over every spare drawer and counter in sight. To begin the decluttering process, gather together everything that doesn’t deserve space in your room and split it into two piles: “keep,” which is no longer useful but worth holding onto, and “discard,” which is stuff your life would be better without. Store the “keep” pile in the back of your closet, out of sight. To clear out even more space, take it home over spring break. For the “discard” items you deem worthy of a new owner, either donate them to the KENYON EDMOND THE DAILY ILLINI
SEE SPRING CLEANING | 21 A room in Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Hall. Contributing writer Zack Fishman gives recommendations for keeping a clean room.
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SPRING CLEANING Dump & Run bins that will be around in April or find a buyer on the “Free & For Sale at UIUC” Facebook group. Both ensure the item has another chance to live on. With all else taken care of, throw out the junk. All of it, even that ID holder you swear you’ll actually use one day. The bare minimum of utility the junk provides is not worth the mental or physical space it takes up in your life, and your organization will improve from the omission.
Roll up clothing
It may undo the little you know about laundry, but folding clothes in their traditional squared form is far from the most effective fashion storage. Instead, try rolling your clothes into neat cylinders of fabric; it saves substantial dresser space and discourages wrinkles and fold lines. To roll shirts, fold in the sleeves and roll it like a yoga mat from the bottom up; for pants, fold one leg over the other before rolling from the cuffs to the waistline.
Store sweaty clothing separately Post-workout clothes smell, and they can stink up your room if not handled appropriately. Instead of apologizing to your roommate while cracking a window, prevent the problem at the source by storing the sweaty clothes in separate, closed containers. You can use a small hamper with a lid, a garbage bag with drawstrings
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or even a series of tied-shut plastic bags. Not only will it make your room breathable, but separating out athletic wear will allow for a more aggressive wash to properly clean them for the next workout.
Raise your bed
For dorm dwellers, high-lofting the bed is a great way to obtain more valuable floor space. A simple maintenance request creates a new area under the mattress that allows for lounge chairs, a TV setup or simply additional storage. The space also looks great with decoration like string lights and posters to give a personalized sense of comfort. This comfortable space can provide a place outside of your bed to unwind and to forget the stresses of your day.
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Isolate food
Keeping food strewn about is the best way to make a room feel messy, creating a bad look and worse smells. To fight this edible chaos, start by storing food in a single spot: Keep an organized refrigerator and restrict all other food items to a single box or drawer. To maintain this order, throw out the scraps and clean the plates immediately after eating. For food that easily rots — banana peels and old pizza come to mind — only dispose in tied-up bags or closed trash bins to enjoy a room free of fruit flies.
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The best secret study spots on campus BY BROOKE EBERLE SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
With the constant realization that your dorm room is a shared space, you’re probably dying to find your go-to place to study for a couple of hours. But how can you find a place to study when all of the popular spots are taken? The answer is to look for the spots on campus that people are least likely to visit. Here are a few local spots that will allow you to have a productive study session.
The Main Library
With the Undergraduate Library packed nearly every day, a lot of people forget that the Main Library next door to it is also available and usually more vacant. The Main Library is located in between the Main Quad and the South Quad, so this is a great place to stop by after class. If you’re looking for a place to disappear for a few hours, this is the place to go, as there are plenty of spots to find a desk and bury your nose in your textbook.
The Music Library
Across the street from the Busey-Evans dorms, the Music Library is not a widely
known spot for students to get some work done. It is usually pretty empty and a great place to visit if you live in the Urbana area. With Espresso Royale only a block away, you can always grab a quick coffee before heading south to get work done. You’ll be wide awake and ready to knock your midterm out of the park.
Funk (ACES) Library
This is another spot for anyone who needs to study near the PAR, FAR, LAR or Allen Hall. This library is usually very quiet and has five floors. Each of the study desks has a working set of outlets, so feel free to bring chargers for your laptop and phone to further your stay. If you need to pull a late-nighter, the library is open until 3 a.m.
Your local coffee spot
If you’re feeling tired and looking for a caffeine fix, head to a coffee shop. You can go to the more widely known shops like Starbucks or Espresso Royale, or you can head to some less-known coffee shops like BrewLab, Caffe Bene or Etc. Coffeehouse. These spots will give you the chill vibe you need to prepare for your next midterm.
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An employee checks the register at BrewLab. This coffee shop is one of many secluded places that can prove to be a great study spot.
Plus, you can get some caffeine whenever you feel like those key terms are putting you to sleep.
The Illini Union
Though this one is widely known, it is a study spot that never fails. Located at the north end of the Main Quad, this building is the perfect place to stop in between classes. At the Illini Union, there are several places to get work done, including
the Courtyard Café, the Pine Lounge, the Colonial Room and the basement. If you’re feeling a little hungry, the Illini Union has plenty of options to grab a quick snack. This may not be a spot to park for several hours, but it surely comes in handy when you need to finish the homework due for your next class. Brooke is a junior in Media. beberle2@dailyillini.com
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