Survival gear for students

By PHIL NOVAK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
"Wear flip-flops in the shower ... I have warts all over my feet." -- Trip McNeeley's college advice in the movie "Can't Hardly Wait."
Are you ready for dorm life: 30 people fighting over five showers, a roommate who refuses to clean his or her half of the room and loud music blaring down the hall when you need to study?
Yeah, you're ready for more freedom than you've ever had in your life.
But with that freedom comes responsibility, and the first step to independence is making sure you're prepared for life without mom and dad.
Students at Youngstown State University provided some insight into what you need, what you don't and what freshman life is really like.
Your first absolute necessity is flip-flops for the shower.
"From what I hear, the floors in the showers can be the most dirty substance in the world," said Joseph Long, student body president and a senior at YSU. "I wouldn't go walking down to the showers without them."
Senior Lenaia Burbank emphatically agreed.
"Flip-flops are very, very, very important," she said. "And always remember to bring your towel in with you, 'cause you don't want to be running down the hallway."
Shower items: Other important shower items include a caddy to carry your soap, shampoo and conditioner, a separate container to carry your soap and a container to carry your toothbrush.
"Make sure the basket has holes in it, because if not, the water stays in the basket, and the room will start stinking," Long said.
Senior Matt Vansuch said the most important thing about the showers is making sure you know when to use them.
"You have to know when everyone has their classes. Then you can get the hot water," he said.
0Burbank offered a little more advice:
"If you drop your soap, don't pick it up," she said. "And there's a bench in the shower. Don't sit on it."
Don't ask why. Just trust her.
Necessities: Besides adjusting to sharing a shower, adjusting to living in a dorm room can be a hassle. But what you bring -- and what you don't -- can make a difference in how much you enjoy the experience.
"When I first came, the suite had a microwave, but in the room, bring a television and VCR if you have it," said senior Gretchen Foley. "I liked having my own computer; you definitely need a stereo system, and a little refrigerator's a good idea. If you don't have one of those, you're hurting.
"Just make sure you have everything for your bedded area, bring extra pillows and stuff to put on your walls."
If you bring a computer, Foley suggests bringing a surge protector in case of a power outage, and maybe some extension chords.
Also, don't forget to bring items for headaches and stomachaches. You don't want to try hunting for things when you already feel sick.
Other items: Most of the items these students mentioned are listed on a letter sent to students planning to live in the YSU dorms, but Burbank thought of a few more items you might need.
"Phone cards are very handy," she said. "And bring some food."
Students cannot bring candles or incense, so Long suggested a room deodorizer.
"Get a plug-in, because dorm rooms tend to get stinky," he said. "Not for girls, but for guys that's more of a necessity. Girls' rooms always seem to smell better than the guys'."
Long also said his futon couch came in handy.
"You'd be surprised how many visitors and overnighters you get, expected and unexpected," he said. "I wouldn't say it's a necessity, but it definitely helps to have it."
But be sure not to take more items than you need. When you're moving away from home, you might find yourself wanting to bring everything.
"Don't bring as many clothes as I brought. You can always bring too many clothes," Vansuch said.
Different world: And remember that college life is completely different from the security of high school and life at home.
"I wish I could go to high schools and tell people that the financial aid people don't help you ever," said freshman Nicole Merolillo. "Find somebody who goes to college who can help you.
"And you'll sit in class your first day, and teachers will just start talking. They forget that you've never been in college before, and you don't know what's going on."
New students often get excited that classes usually don't have attendance requirements, but sophomore Gary Bowers said that you absolutely must go to class.
"I skipped one class all through both semesters -- one class -- and it literally screwed me all through the rest of the semester," he said. "I missed some important stuff, and the people in the class aren't going to be able to catch you up."
So do you feel prepared? Probably not, so buckle up because it's going to be a bumpy ride. Oh, and don't forget the most important thing:
"Bring your sanity," Burbank said. "Yes, bring your sanity, definitely."
pnovak@vindy.com