Hints From Heloise

Details for the Dorm

Dear Heloise: Here are some hints I learned about MOVING INTO A COLLEGE DORM that I would like to share with your readers:

- When decorating your dorm room, remember that this is going to be your home for an entire year, and you want to make it feel as much like home as possible. I suggest bringing plenty of pictures of friends, family and pets from home.

- When I moved my freshman year, my roommate and I didn't coordinate what we were bringing, and we ended up with two TVs. Make sure you know what your roommate is bringing so you don't have duplicates of things.

- My room had all of the furniture attached to the walls, so we went to a carpet store and bought a piece of remnant carpet to put in the room. It was nicer than a rug, and cheaper!

- If you are bringing nice jewelry or other nice things, you should get a little safe that you can put in one of your drawers. This way, you won't have to worry about the jewelry getting stolen.

- It's also a good idea to get a lock and chain for your laptop.

- Bring cleaning supplies and a small vacuum cleaner. The dorm rooms can get really dirty, and the best way to keep from getting sick is to clean often. Because of the shared ventilation system, it gets very dusty. I cleaned my room once a week (which I never do at home).

- Bring only the clothes you need for the weather right now. Your parents can mail you a jacket, but there's no way you are going to be able to fit all of your summer and winter clothes into a tiny dorm closet.

-- Heather F. in Texas

Thanks for these super college hints. I'd love to hear more from students. -- Heloise

NICKELED AND DIMED

Dear Heloise: Quite a few charitable solicitations my wife and I receive contain a real coin to prompt us into giving. I consider it bad form to spend these on ourselves. I save them up, and the next time I'm out, I drop the money into a jar benefiting a society or other charity that leaves a can on local merchants' counters. -- Gregg in New York

HANDY COMMUTER CUP

Dear Heloise: After my husband's surgery, it was difficult for him to hold a glass or cup. Sometimes he couldn't sit up, and straws did not help. A commuter cup was perfect. If he dropped it, it wouldn't spill as much liquid as a glass would. The beverage stays cold or hot longer than in a standard cup. -- Lillian from California

COMFY COOKIE CARRIER

Dear Heloise: When I send cookies in the mail, I pack them in cookie tins and pour miniature marshmallows in between to protect against breakage and help keep them fresh. I use packing tape to seal the tin. -- Regina in Fort Worth, Texas

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

(c)2010 by King Features Syndicate Inc.