Living on campus? Here are 15 tips to make the most of your residence hall experience all year long.
Acclimating to your new home
Don’t drop your old connections. Continue talking with your high school buddies while you're in the process of making new friends.- Leave your door open. To meet other people in your residence hall, consider leaving your room door open.
- Take time for yourself. It's okay to spend some quality time alone; the first few weeks are crazy!
- Know that it's okay to eat lunch alone—you'll notice plenty of other people do it, too.
- Get to know people in your classes by forming study groups or inviting a classmate to get coffee after class.
- Step out of your comfort zone. Go to events, regardless of how cheesy or ridiculous they sound! You may be surprised to find interest in a club or program you wouldn't necessarily have considered on your own.
Living with roommates
Start with an icebreaker. If you can, find your new roommate(s) on Facebook and message them prior to moving in to help ease any awkwardness. On move-in day, focus on unpacking and setting up your room together. Ask questions to learn about each other and discover shared interests.- Establish some ground rules—get the not so fun part out of the way.
- Explore campus together. Check out a campus event or sign up for a club that interests you both.
- Venture off campus. Grab lunch on The Hill or find your go-to off-campus coffee shop.
- Be patient. Working things out with someone new takes time.
Programs and resources
Meet your RA and hall director—they can help you get involved.- Become aware of your resources (you have a lot!) A good place to start is the CU Boulder student tab. There is also free academic support through the Academic Success and Achievement Program.
- Participate in hall programming. Join your hallmates for community-building activities and events right in your own hall.
- Get involved in your on-campus community by joining hall council (part of the Residence Hall Association), the Golden Buffalo Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary or a year-long Residential Academic Program (RAP).
