Campus Housing and Meals

 

Living at Home/Commuting

Living Away from Home-On Campus

Resident Halls/Dormitories

University Apartments

Getting Ready for the Move

What to Bring to the Dorm

Moving Day Tips

Roommates

College Greek Life

Off Campus Housing

Meal/Dining Plans

Nutrition Tips for College Students

Living at Home and Commuting

Community and Technical Colleges and Independent, Private and Specialty Schools (those who do not grant 4 year baccalaureate degrees) do not have living on campus requirements for their students.  About half of the ZHS graduates choose to attend a local community college and most of those choose Yakima Valley Community College.  They live at home or they get a group of friends together, rent an apartment, duplex or home and commute to college.  By living at home, the family can reduce the total out of pocket cost to attend college, for at least the first two years. 

Students who attend Community Colleges out of the Yakima Valley will have to look at the issue of living expenses (housing, food, transportation, etc.)  Some students who attending school outside of the Yakima Valley make arrangements to with family or friend to help reduce college costs.  Others just find rental properties and seek roommates.

Living Away from Home-On Campus

Most 4 year colleges/universities require that if you are living away from home, you must live in a college approved housing group on campus for at least the first year.  An exception may be granted if you have a close adult relative living in the community (such as a grandparent, uncle/aunt, adult brother/sister) and you reside with them. College approved on campus housing includes resident halls/dormitories, college apartments and if available the "Greek Housing" of fraternities and sororities

Resident Halls/Dormitories

Resident Halls or Dormitories (Dorms) are housing units owned and operated by the college. Dorms can be co-ed having both men and women housed in the same building or segregated by gender having only men or women housed in the building. Many colleges now have formed special themed dorms such as music dorm, international dorm, science dorm, over 21 dorm, honors dorm, quiet dorm, etc.

On your campus visit you should investigate the various housing options and try to select a dorm that meets your needs. Take note of size of rooms and what furniture is included.  Observe what extra items college kids have brought in to enhance their living space.  Talk to current residents about living in the dorms and what advice they would share with you.  One thing to tell an incoming Freshman is  "don’t over pack" (although most new students do.)  There is limited storage in your room and little extra secure storage on the floor

Find out how far your dorm is from the campus buildings where your classes will be. The sad fact is that freshmen normally get the least lovable dorms. Students who have been there longer have already grabbed the best spaces and the incoming freshman get what's left over. Long walks to class or the cafeteria are common. Ask about on campus transportation. Can you bring your own car or does everyone ride a moped or bicycle? Try getting in touch with some people who've been at the school for a while and can give you some information on the layout of the campus and what other students do to get around.

Bring quarters. Vending machines and coin laundries need quarters and there are never enough to go around.

University Apartments

I will briefly mention university apartments and duplexes.  Many larger colleges have built and maintained apartments and duplexes for their students.  Rarely are these open to Freshman or even Sophomore level students.  Many are reserved for married and/or graduate students or upper classmen.  To inquire about availability of university apartments contact the college housing office.

Getting Ready for the Move

Before you go out and buy furnishings or load the U-Haul, find out what furniture is provided by the college.  Then either measure the dorm room or look on line for information on size so you'll know how much space you have to work with.

To save money check with family, friends, and neighbors about extra furnishings that they no longer need.  If you need to purchase items, checking online sources as well as stores for closeouts and overstocks. Thrift, second-hand stores, and garage sales may have bargains on items to furnish your dorm.

Check the size of the bed provided so that you'll know what size bedding material needed.

In some dorms you can maximize storage with under-bed boxes or drawers. Sometimes you can "lift" your bed with concrete blocks to create more storage space.

Some student exchange the dorm chair for an adjustable office chair for more comfortable when they study.

Many students like to cover the floor with a large throw rug, or a remnant off a roll of wall-to-wall carpeting, which often can be bought at a discount. Choose a neutral color for versatility, perhaps with fleck's or patterns in it to disguise stains and soil.

Look for ready-to-assemble furnishings, which are great for dorm rooms because they're inexpensive and easy to haul upstairs in a compact box. 

What to Bring to the Dorm

Moving Day Tips

Roommates

Speaking about the next chapter of your life, we need to talk about dorm roommates.  Most Freshman who live in the dorms have at least one roommate. Most colleges recommend that you send in your college application for admission early as their housing assignments to by the admissions application date.  Those who apply for admission first will get first choice at housing assignments.  If you and a friend or relative will be going to the same college and wish to room together, contact your college housing department in November about the process.  Often they will have you both fill out paperwork indicating your choice for the roommate and even recommend that you ship both of your forms in one envelop at the same time.

At other times you may not have a roommate lined up that you know so you will be assigned a roommate.  Colleges have you fill out a survey to find out what kind of personal habits, traits, and interests you have and to match you up with someone compatible. So if you like to get up early and go to the gym, you will be matched with someone who also likes to be an early riser, not with a night owl.  If you are a business major you might be paired up with another business major.

Colleges will notify you about move-in day and give you contact information about your roommate.  Dorm rooms are small so you and your roommate should decide who brings what.

For many college students dorm life is a first step toward living away from home. Mom and dad are not there to supply meals, clean laundry, supervision or mediate disagreements with the people sharing the same living space. It's a welcome challenge for most new college students, but it isn't always an easy transition.

Find out who your roommates will be and get in touch before you start school. Many new students try to get to know their roommates early enough to coordinate who will bring the TV and the room 'fridge. Getting to know the person, or people, who will be sharing your living space makes moving in together a bit easier. Find out what kind of music they like and what they do for fun. If the match is perfect thank your lucky stars. If it seems that you've been paired with someone who you'll find it impossible to live with you have time to contact the college and explain why you need to find another roommate.

Define responsibilities. Many dorms are in an apartment setting and that means you'll have a shared bathroom or kitchenette. Unless who does what gets set up in the beginning it can lead to a very rough semester of arguing about the mess and who's not doing their fair share of cleaning. Even if you just share a room together, dirty laundry piled on every flat surface may be something you or your roommate find unacceptable.

Draw boundaries. The college may have put you with someone from a family where everyone wears everyone else's clothes. If you don't want to share your favorite sweater, make that clear from the beginning.

Learn 10 Easy Ways to Have a Good Roommate Experience

You may have grown up living with lots of siblings, or this may be your first time sharing your living space with someone else. While having a roommate inevitably has its challenges, it can also be a great part of your college experience. Follow these ten tips to make sure you and your roommate keep things pleasant.

1. Be clear from the beginning.  Let your roommate know as soon as you can about your preferences. It's not fair to expect him or her to pick up on them right away, and communicating what you need is one of the best ways to eliminate problems before they become problems.

2.  Address things when they're little. Addressing things that bug you while they're still little can help your roommate be aware of something she may not otherwise know. Addressing little things is much easier than addressing them after they've become big.

3. Respect your roommate's stuff. This may seem simple, but it's probably one of the biggest reasons why roommates experience conflict. Don't borrow, use, or take anything without getting permission first.

4. Be careful of who you bring into your room -- and how often. You may love having your study group into your room. But your roommate may not. Be mindful of how often you bring people over. If your roommate studies best in the quiet, and you study best in a group, can you alternate who hits the library and who gets the room?

5. Lock the door and windows. This may seem like it has nothing to do with roommate relationships, but how would you feel if your roommate's laptop got stolen during the ten seconds it took you to run down the hall? Or vice versa? Locking your door and windows is a critical part of keeping safe on campus.

6. Be friendly, without expecting to be best friends. Don't go into your roommate relationship thinking that you are going to be best friends for the time you're at school. It may happen, but expecting it sets both of you up for trouble. You should be friendly with your roommate but also make sure you have your own social circles.

7. Be open to new things. Your roommate may be from someplace you've never heard of. They may have a religion or lifestyle that is completely different from your own. Be open to new ideas and experiences, especially as it to relates to what your roommate brings into your life.

8. Be open to change. You should expect to learn and grown and change during your time at school. And the same should happen to your roommate, if all goes well. As the semester progresses, realize things will change for both of you. Be comfortable addressing things that unexpectedly come up, setting new rules, and being flexible to your changing environment.

9. Address things when they're big. You may not have been totally honest with tip #2. Or you may suddenly find yourself with a roommate who goes wild after being shy and quiet the first two months. Either way, if something gets to be a big problem quickly, deal with it as soon as you can.

10. If nothing else, follow the Golden Rule. Treat your roommate like you'd like to be treated. No matter what your relationship is at the end of the year, you can take comfort knowing you acted like an adult and treated your roommate with respect.

Each dorm floor has an RA or DA (Resident Assistant/Dorm Assistant) which is an older student who works as a floor advisor/administrator.  They help with day to day problems and try to assist the floor in keeping some sort of civilized order to their society.

You could have a roommate assigned and it just does not work out.  Sometimes best friends or close cousins go off to college and find they can’t stand each other as roommates.  If this happens to you, work with the housing officials to help transfer rooms.

College Greek Life

Greek life is a term used to describe all Greek letter organizations at a college or university. Typically Greek life is made up of fraternities and sororities.  Not all colleges have this system but the larger colleges and universities will. These are "club-like" grouips with Greek letters as their name. Sororities are for women; fraternities are for men. These organizations are made up of students that share a common goal or goals and tend to socialize together. Many fraternities and sororities are very active in their community and at school.  Any college student looking to become more active in the community and meeting lots of other college students looking to do the same should find out what Greek letter organizations exist on their campus. Greek housing is an option in the sorority and fraternity system.

 

College students should find out what the fraternity and sorority dues are, and what they include so they can budget money for the semester. Yes it costs money, and no you are not buying friends.  The good thing is, once you pay dues you are typically covered for all parties and events for most of the year.  Housing and meals may be included in this fee.  Some fraternities and sororities own their own houses and have live in chefs. This is great on big campuses where you can go down stairs and get a meal instead of walking across campus to the dining hall.

Names Each fraternity and sorority uses two or three Greek letters, such as Phi Kappa Tau or Kappa Epsilon. Often these are shortened to nicknames. For example, Delta Delta Delta is often called Tri-Delt or Sigma Epsilon is often called Sig Ep.

Structure There is only one national organization with a particular name, but that organization has chapters at various campuses. For instance, there's only one Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority but Kappa Kappa Gamma has chapters at 134 campuses throughout the United States and Canada.

Members  If you wish to join a fraternity or sorority, it's by invitation only and you may join only one (although if you quit one, you're free to join another). Joining is called “going Greek” and you will occasionally be known as a Greek. People who don't join are often called “independents.”

Greek life By far, the most popular reason for students join a fraternity or sorority is the social life. The emphasis each Greek organization puts on service and scholarship varies.

Houses Some fraternities and sororities have a residential house on campus or close by, usually displaying their name in big Greek letters on the front of the house. Some members live in the house, which usually includes a dining facility, but not all members may live in the house.

Rush/Recruitment Fraternities and sororities are typically allowed to approach and convince younger students to join their organization.  Joining a fraternity or sorority commonly begins with “rushing,” the term used for visiting various Greek houses and headquarters to meet members. College students can choose what organizations they would like to join, and only attend those rush meetings.  Rush usually happens sometime during the first half of the school year, within a certain time frame sometimes called Rush Week. Students who participate in rush are known as “rushees,” and for the most part, are first-year students. Some campuses or Greek organizations have a more informal rush period.

Pledging After rush, the Greek organization sends invitations to join, known as “bids.” A rushee may get none, or one or more bids. If the rushee chooses to join, he or she is “accepting the bid” and then becomes “a pledge” of the fraternity or sorority. During the pledge period, pledges learn even more about the organization and decide if it's right for them. It is very important for students to read between the lines at these rush meetings, see what group of people you would like to hang out with on the weekends. Only join the fraternity or sorority that seems to be the best fit for your likes and personality.

Initiation The initiation is the formal ceremony when new members join the Greek organization. Most organizations don't haze, and typically colleges and universities have strict rules against hazing.

When you are living away from home you will need to find a place to each as most dorms do not have kitchen facilities.  Those living in Residence Halls/Dorms can purchase Meal/Dining Plans.  Meal plans are available based on how many meals per week you would like to purchase.  Many colleges have the traditional cafeteria style dinning halls. Some now have added more ala-carte, fast food, and theme food outlets on campus that qualify for meals you can consumer under your college meal plan.  Since each college is different you are going to have to investigate the options when you do your campus tour. 

At most schools, first-year students are required to have a meal plan. This requirement might be waved if you are commuting from home. Mandatory meal plans have a variety of purposes. Schools often want first-year students to become engaged in the campus community, and on-campus meals play an important part in that process. It’s also possible the requirement is coming from a contract with the food service provider, not the college itself

Essentially, a meal plan is pre-paid account for your on-campus meals. At the start of the term, you pay for all the meals you’ll eat in the dining halls. You’ll then swipe your student ID or a meal debit card every time you enter a dining area. The value of your meal will be deducted from your account. Some plans allow you to add extra money to your meal debit account should you run out of value prior to the end of the term.  Other plans are on a per meal basis regardless of when you eat them or how much you eat. Some colleges offer many different meal plans options for 21, 19, 14, or 7 meals a week.

I recommend you try eating on campus.  They do take cash if you don’t have a meal card (some colleges will even give you a free meal card for the day on the visit so you can try out the dining services).  This will help you to get an idea of what meal time is like at college.  Talk to students on your tour, particularly with those in the dorm and ask them about what food plans they like, where the eat, and what they recommend.

Think about your eating habits. Before purchasing a plan, ask yourself some questions. Are you likely to get up in time for breakfast? Are you likely to go out to the local pizza joint for dinner? If you are always up late, don't approach your meal plan thinking that you are suddenly going to wake up early every day and eat a healthy breakfast. Also, realize that things are going to change when you're at school. You might be up late with friends and want to order pizza at 3:00 a.m. You may have an 8:00 a.m. lab class, making breakfasts nearly impossible. By knowing your eating habits, you can adjust how you approach your meal plan as you adjust to life on campus.  

Knowing the start and end dates of your plan is important. For example, if you are given $2000 for the entire semester, using that for 12 weeks or 16 weeks makes a big difference as to how you budget. Additionally, you can check throughout the semester to see if you're on track.

At least be aware of your options for changing your plan mid-semester. Most schools won't give you your unused money back, but they will let you add more money (or meal credits) later in the semester. If this is the case at your school, you may want to err on the smaller side if you're trying to decide between plans. Some schools will let you carry over unused funds or meal credits, too, which means that you won't lose any money if you don't use everything by the end of the semester. Know what your options are and try to plan accordingly. In some colleges unused meals on your account becomes money lost. Depending on the plan, the credit for unused meals may disappear at the end of the week or the end of the semester. You’ll want to check your balance frequently.  Some schools have small grocery stores/mini mart type operations where you can spend the money from debit card for meals you will not use as the semester winds down.

Most schools are also reasonably accommodating if you have eating restrictions, such as being lactose-intolerant or having religious restrictions. Learn as much as you can before you arrive on campus, but also relax and know that a lot of the smaller details will work themselves out when you arrive. Understanding the basics, though, will give you one less thing to worry about when you start classes.

Nearly all college campuses offer all-you-can-eat dining, so the same meal plan can accommodate you whether you eat like a mouse or a horse. Just watch out for that freshman 15 -- all-you-can-eat can be bad for your waistline.

• Fresh fruit. Cafeterias are full of processed foods, and a piece of fresh fruit is a close to nature as you're going to find. Try to eat a piece of fruit every day. It's also a good idea to incorporate fresh fruit into other dining hall options-- like by cutting a banana into a bowl of cereal, or by eating fresh strawberries with yogurt.
• The salad bar. Load up on healthy, fresh veggies as often as you can. Proceed with caution, however. Eat fatty salad toppings like cheese and croutons in moderation, and avoid full-fat salad dressing.
• Whole grains. Whenever possible, eat whole grain bread, cereal, pasta, and tortillas. These are immensely more nutritious than products made with processed white flour. However, you may have to ask to find out if products are actually whole grain. Lots of brown breads and such are made with processed wheat flour, which is not nearly as nutritious.
• Water. Water provides an abundance of health benefits and may help fill you up. Get into the habit of drinking at least a small glass of water with every meal.
• Healthy hot or cold cereal. No, don't eat Corn Pops every day, but eat your fill of Cheerios, shredded wheat, oatmeal, and anything else that's relatively healthy. Even if there's some sugar in your selection, this is a much healthier breakfast habit than bacon, pancakes, and other fatty choices.
• Ketchup, mustard, and other low-fat condiments. No, ketchup isn't the best food available, it's full of high fructose corn syrup, but a tablespoon of ketchup is a much healthier alternative than a tablespoon of fatty mayonnaise. Other good condiment choices include salsa and vinegar.
• Low-fat or fat-free frozen yogurt. Of course, this is a food to eat in moderation. However, it's a much healthier alternative to ice cream or other fatty desserts, so if your cafeteria offers a frozen yogurt machine, enjoy it.

Not-So-Healthy Dining Hall Choices

• Juice. Juice is not nearly as healthy as fruit, especially "juice cocktails," which are loaded with high-fructose corn syrup. But even 100% juice lacks the fiber of a piece of fruit and has lots more calories. Go ahead and drink juice in moderation, like a glass with breakfast, but don't substitute juice for more healthy fruit choices.
• Soda. Having a soda machine in the cafeteria is a little like eating at McDonald's every day, and it can be tempting to load up on soda at lunch and dinner. Obviously, this is a quick way to add empty calories. Don't make the mistake of loading up on diet soda either, as this is filled with chemicals and can actually make your body crave sugar.
• Full-fat salad dressing. Most salad dressings are almost 100% fat, and can up the fat content of a healthy salad many times over. Always choice low-fat salad dressings, and use sparingly. If oil and vinegar are available, these are better choices-- light on the oil, heavier on the vinegar.
• Fatty breakfasts. For many students, the eggs and pancakes and bacon and other traditional breakfast favorites are quite a temptation. However, these should be enjoyed in moderation, or perhaps eaten as a treat after a grueling early morning exam. If the cafeteria offers dishes made with egg substitutes or egg whites, choose these, as they are much lower in fat.
• French fries and other fried foods. These are a quick way to load up on calories. If you're going to eat fries, try eating a very small serving.
• Mayonnaise, butter, and other fatty condiments. On a sandwich, try using ketchup and mustard instead of mayo. If low-fat mayo is available, go for that, in moderation. Butter, of course, is something to keep to a minimum.

Investigate options in campus housing with appliances. Many dorms have a kitchen and washroom for each floor or pod.  Some allow in room appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves, others do not. Some rent appliances for a nominal fee.

Nutrition Tips for College Students

College is the perfect time to start or continue a  focus on nutrition.  If you're on a campus dining services plan or out buying your groceries you, not your parents, are in control of what you eat. Take that power to choose your food and use it for the good of your body.

You need to keep your nutrition balanced to be healthy and to do well in your studies.  Don’t skip meals in college.  Even if you are not into breakfast, having something after you get up and before you head to class will be a healthier option than skipping that first meal. As we mentioned cereal is a common food kept in the dorm and eaten as one prepares for classes in the morning. 

Skipping out on lunch is also not an option. Plan ahead for those busy days when your classes go back to back, by throwing some simple protein /carbohydrate combinations into your book bag. A handful of nuts with an apple, or a string cheese stick with several healthy crackers (made without hydrogenated fats) can fill in for lunch until you have a break.  When you do have time for lunch, steer clear of the cheeseburger and fries and opt instead for a lean protein source and veggies, such as a tuna wrap with spinach and tomatoes, or a chicken sub with all the veggies. Bean burritos with a side salad are another good option.

Become a “mindful” eater. Take at least 20 minutes to eat your meals. In this way, you will allow sufficient time for your brain to register you had food. You will be able to better identify the point of comfortable fullness and will be able to stop eating at that point, instead of overeating.  Also, pay attention to when your body is trying to signal that it needs food.  Don't ignore your hunger!

Find ways to get in at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. One serving is considered ½ cup of cooked or raw vegetables or fruit, a medium piece of fruit or one cup for raw leafy vegetables such as spinach or lettuce.  Better yet, enjoy a generous portion of fresh fruit as an alternative to heavy desserts.

One thing that helps college students in an all your can eat dinning hall is to have portion control or simply opt for single servings. You'll consume fewer calories but still quench your food craving.

Beware of caffeine. Your average "energy-boosting" cup of coffee has no benefits. While you may believe coffee and soda are effective study aids, they're anything but that! Caffeine causes restlessness and irritability, which make sitting still to read for your Greek civilization class almost impossible. You may be stressed out about passing your physics exam, but gulping a liter or two of Coke will only aggravate your stress since caffeine also causes anxiety. Caffeine, which is a drug, indeed compromises your emotional and mental states. And because it is often accompanied by sugar and/or cream in a hot beverage and massive amounts of sugar in the form of cola, your physique will be compromised as well. Just say no to caffeine.

Stock your dorm room with such healthy items as fruit (fresh, dried and canned without added sugar), vegetables (fresh, frozen and canned), nuts, seeds and peanut butter, canned tuna, high fiber cereals, yogurt, hummus, crackers made without hydrogenated fats and green tea.

Finally, take a nutrition class. Not only will you learn more about food, but nutritious noshing will be on your mind as well. Hopefully, this will inspire you in the dining hall to pass on the less health choices. Tips for Avoiding the Freshman 15

• Eat Fruits.

• Add fruit to your cereal.

• Drink orange juice for vitamin C.

• Eat vegetables.

• Munch on baby carrots and celery sticks between classes.

• Eat protein.

• Limit red meat

• Use egg whites or Egg Beaters for your breakfast omelet.

• Have a handful of nuts.

• Eat whole grains.

• When consuming carbohydrates, opt for dark (unrefined) instead of light (refined). Eat wheat bread instead of white bread, brown rice instead of white rice, and sweet potatoes rather than white potatoes

• Take a multivitamin daily.

• When eating junk food, limit your portions.

• Select single servings.

• Never choose the jumbo- or king-sized portions or super size your fast-food.

• Limit caffeine intake. To stay alert while studying, try the following techniques:

  • Pace as you read.

  • Read aloud.

  • Study in a group.

  • Eat green apples. The tart taste and crunchiness keep your senses on their toes.

  • Drink plenty of water

Quick and Easy Ways to Eat Healthy During Your First Year at School

The "Freshman 15" is one of the things incoming students hear about the most. Legend has it that the average student gains fifteen pounds during their first year in college. Urban myth or not, keep these fifteen tips in mind to ensure you eat and stay healthy as you adjust to eating on campus.

1. Walk whenever and wherever you can on campus

2. Join an intramural sports team

3. Use the campus gym and recreation facilities

4. Get a workout/exercise partner

5. Choose diet soda instead of regular

6. Eat a salad (or a piece of fruit, or a healthy side veggie) with whatever else you grab for dinner

7. Eat a healthy breakfast

8. Keep healthy snacks in your room

9. Don't get dessert every time you eat

10. If you're going to order food late at night, make smart choices

11. Do something physical every weekend

12. Walk when you go off campus

13. Let yourself splurge every once in a while

14. Drink water throughout the day

15. Don't go long periods without eating

College Orientation