Belén Yudess ’25
Copy Editor
Greetings Class of 2028! And congratulations on making it through the most trying and tumultuous time of your college career thus far: move-in day! You have successfully located your room, accepted your fate as a top bunker, and bested the Froutt stairs. Part one of your residential journey is complete; Revelle in that accomplishment. Now that you’re all moved in, here are a few dorm life do’s and don’ts (from an RC) to support you in finding success as a first-time Scripps resident!
Don’t: Leave the dorms messier than you found them.
Do: Be respectful of your room and shared spaces.
As Sabrina Carpenter said, “please, please, please,” be cognizant of how you treat your room and shared spaces. Everybody’s definition of clean differs. Personally, I categorize my room as clean when my clothes, books, and stuffed animals are stacked semi-organized in their assigned places rather than spread out across the floor. Everyone has their own style and way of living and that’s alright! But, it’s important to keep in mind, especially for those of you in doubles and triples, that communal living requires compromise.
Make sure to have conversations with your roommates about what maintaining your space looks like for both of you! Does it mean living dust free since ‘93? Washing dishes immediately? Or simply agreeing to keep your mess to your side of the room? Talk about these things because although it may not seem that dire now, understanding how to respect your room is also learning how to respect your roommate; and respecting your dorm is also respecting facilities staff. Every dorm comes equipped with housekeeping supplies such as a vacuum, surface cleaner, towels, etc. Take note of where those are in your building and don’t be afraid to ask your peers if you need help finding them!
Each dorm contains absolutely gorgeous communal spaces: a living room, rec room, browsing room, laundry room, and kitchen. They are there for your use and enjoyment; to make the dorms feel more like home. (I can’t count the number of times I have fallen asleep on a living room couch over the last three years.) And just as you would want others to respect your home and personal space, you are responsible for respecting this one as well.
Additionally, if you notice someone leaving a slight mess, it is okay to kindly remind them to clean up after themselves. We are all adults and it’s alright to hold others accountable. But, if you feel uncomfortable doing this or notice that this type of behavior is habitual, don’t be afraid to talk to your residential coordinator (RC) so they can address the issue.
The facilities staff are nothing short of angels on earth, and they are the glue that holds the dorms together. They work hard to ensure that everything is kept in the best shape so it is vital that we do our part as well!
Don’t: Take dorm decorations for your own room
Do: Develop your own sense of style and decorate your room accordingly
Those cute character cutouts on the walls and nifty name plates on your door are labors of absolute love (and 11:00 p.m. delirium). Your RCs and CCs spend many a night drawing, painting, gluing, and cutting endless sheets of butcher paper to add an extra dash of whimsy to your residential experience. Decorating a Res hall with a team of 1-4 students is no casual feat, so please respect your Campus Life team by appreciating the decor on the halls and not on your bedroom walls.
With that being said, college is meant to empower you to explore new avenues of creative expression! As you choose your bedding and acquire your poster collection, don’t be afraid to try out that flashy, neon pillow case or proudly display your La La Land tapestry! This is your time to find out what colors, themes, interests and designs bring you joy! And if you want handcrafted decor, there is always a plethora of crafty OSE or dorm events offered at the beginning of the year to cultivate your artistic persona and room aesthetic!
Don’t: Damage or disrespect someone’s personal items
Do: Be mindful of other people’s property
Don’t be the reason somebody’s day goes from hero to zero by dumping their clean clothes onto the floor or taking their Cuisinart pan from the kitchen. For a lot of your peers, this is their first time away from home and that can be a huge adjustment! Make sure to allow people periods of grace. This can entail not immediately taking someone’s clothes out of the laundry machines the second their cycle is done. If you are waiting to use a machine and you notice somebody’s clothes have been in there for a while, send a gentle reminder in your dorm group chat. If more than 15 minutes go by, feel free to kindly place their clothes on a nearby surface. Just remember to treat others, and their clothes, the way you want to be treated.
Also, if somebody’s washed dining ware is left in the kitchen, please leave it there or ask for permission before using it! Most kitchens come equipped with communal cooking and baking supplies (labelled with ‘SAS’) to awaken your inner Remy the rat!
Before we tap out, just want to throw out a few additional do’s and don’ts! If you decide to bake a sweet treat that also results in a sweet amount of dirty dishes, please make sure to wash those as soon as you’re done. After a late night study session accompanied by handfuls of Trader Joe’s snacks, make sure to clean up your trash before you head to bed. Communicate with your roommates about lights out time and noise rules for your room. And most importantly, if you live in a dorm with communal bathrooms, double check that the toilet flushes and that you remove all hair from the shower drains. There is nothing scarier than mistaking a clumped pile of hair for a mouse during your Monday morning rinse.
These are just a handful of tips and the rest you’ll learn along the way! If you ever need additional support, please feel free to reach out to an older student or your RCs and CCs; we are here to help you excel!
Photo Courtesy of Juliette Des Rosiers ’26
