What you’ll actually need in the dorms

Posted on May 1, 2023

I can still vividly remember this time last year when I was scouring Tiktok for things that I would need to buy for a dorm room. If you are in those shoes right now, you’ve come to the right place because I am going to tell you exactly what you need.

1. 1. Laundry basket on wheels. This is the most important piece of information that I am going to give you. YOU NEED A LAUNDRY BASKET ON WHEELS. Not a bag. You will need wheels. Don’t get a laundry bag because you can’t just throw your clothes in there and it doesn’t store easily in a dorm room. With an actual basket, you can just roll it down to the laundry machines and it will be so simple. Plus, when you go home you can just take your laundry basket home instead of 14 bags. If you’re anything like me I already know what you’re thinking: but I want a
      cute laundry basket and none of them have wheels. Okay, that’s valid, but I found the perfect one on Amazon that is cute AND functional.

      

 

1. Rotating desk caddy organizer. If you’re a girl, this works wonders for your make-up storage. It was nice to just be able to see everything when I was getting ready and it was easy to keep everything organized.
2. Drawer organizers. You’ll for sure want something to keep your desk drawers organized. I always ended up just throwing every random thing in my desk drawers so it really helped to have something to help me keep it somewhat neat.
3. Magnetic key holder. I just bought a 5-dollar magnetic key holder from Target and it has probably been the reason that I’ve never lost my keys. The first thing I do every single time I walk into my room is hang my keys up so that I know exactly where to find them the next time I leave.
4. Screwdriver. Just trust me on this one. I can’t even tell you how many times the screwdriver I brought with me has come in clutch.

These are only my top 5 dorm must-haves. If you would like to see everything else I purchased and really loved having in my dorm room you can check out my Amazon Storefront.

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Things no one tells you

Posted on April 24, 2023

After almost a whole school year here at Iowa, I’ve had to figure some things out by myself because no one really told me. Or maybe they did tell me and I just took it with a grain of salt haha. Anyways, I’m here to tell you the things that no one told me about life on campus.

1. The campus doesn’t seem that big. Okay yes, they did tell me this one but I was like “What do you mean, this place is literally huge”. But actually, it doesn’t seem very big. I am a business major and the way the “education path” is set up at Tippie, makes it so that you’re taking a lot of the same classes as the other freshman business students. This makes it so you really get to know the faces of your peers. Also being a business major living on the east side, I barely ever go to the west side of campus, making campus feel even smaller. Most of my classes take place in a building on the Pentacrest or Anne Cleary Walkway so I can normally get anywhere I need to go in under ten minutes and I’ll always see familiar faces along the way. 
2. You’re going to want to walk to class in sneakers. You might think you can walk quickly in your Birkenstocks to class, but you can’t. It’s just a fact. Trust me it took me a while to accept this one. Getting blisters just isn’t worth it because then for the next week, you’re going to be miserable trying to walk to class.
3. Take advantage of the free group fitness classes at the rec. I’m not really sure if no one told me about this or if I just didn’t think the classes would be worth my time. Anyways, going to these classes is totally worth it. I pick a few that fit into my weekly schedule and then it becomes a habit for me to attend every week for the rest of the semester. This semester a few of my favorites have been Mat Pilates, Bodypump, and Gentle Yoga. It keeps me active and I always look forward to it.
4. Don’t overwhelm yourself by signing up for a bunch of clubs right away. When I first got to campus there was so much pressure to join all these clubs and groups. Some of them have really strict rules and guidelines that you have to meet that are sometimes overwhelming, especially for a first-semester freshman. So take it from me, when everyone is telling you to join this group or join that group, you CAN say no. Don’t feel like your failing or not getting the best college experience if you just simply don’t want to join a club. It’s totally okay.
5. The River Room Cafe is so good. Thankfully someone did tell me this at the beginning of the year, but I feel like so many people don’t know about it. The River Room is located next to the hotel in the IMU on the first floor. They serve pasta, stir fry, burritos, and lots of other good food. It’s such a hidden gem, and the best part is that they accept flex swipes.

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Top places to stop while you’re visiting campus

Posted on April 3, 2023

Iowa City is home to so many unique, small businesses that are a must-try on your campus visit to the University of Iowa. I have been exploring the city for almost an entire school year now and have found some of my favorite places. I have picked my favorite place in each of the following categories to tell you about; breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and treats.

First up is breakfast, my favorite breakfast spot in Iowa City would have to be the Bluebird Diner. Bluebird is situated pretty close to campus so it would be convenient to visit on your visit. I like Bluebird because the pancakes are SO good. Aside from the pancakes, there are so many other options, they have any breakfast food you could ever think of.

The lunch category was probably the toughest to only choose one restaurant because there are so many great options. That being said, the place I’m about to tell you about had a lot of competition but is coming out on top in my opinion; Heirloom. Heirloom is right downtown which is basically campus in my opinion. This is a soup, salad, and sandwich joint. It’s so tough to decide what to order off of the menu because everything looks so good. All the ingredients are so fresh which makes everything so delicious. 

Pullman Bar and Diner is at the top of my dinner list. The food is really good but I also love the feel of the place. You might think at first glance this is just a regular American restaurant, but take it from me, the food is to die for.

If you’ve read any of my other blogs you know I am very experienced in the next category. I am not exaggerating, if the coffee shop is within walking distance from the East side dorms, I have been there. That being said, the lattes at Tru Coffee are THE BEST in Iowa City. On my recent visit, I ordered the iced chocolate-dipped strawberry latte, and it was the best-tasting latte I’ve ever had. Not only does Tru have great-tasting coffee, but the vibes in the shop are IMMACULATE and perfect for a fun little coffee or study date.

Lastly, the treat category. This was also a pretty tough category as I have such a sweet tooth and Iowa City has so many Ice cream/ frozen yogurt/ cupcake/ bakery shops. As you’ve probably heard, Molly’s Cupcakes is GREAT, but that’s obvious, and I am here to tell you maybe the not-so-obvious. That being said, you have to try out the frozen yogurt at Aspen Leaf which is in the ped mall. I don’t even know what sets this fro yo apart from everywhere else, but take it from me it’s just better!

So, on your next visit to campus make sure to try out my favorite places and maybe you’ll find your new favorite place!

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An updated list of study spots

Posted on March 27, 2023

In the fall I created a list of my favorite study spots on and around campus. Now that it’s spring, I have been able to explore a little bit more and I have found a few more study spots that I really enjoy and want to share with you.

As we all know, springtime in Iowa can bring rain, the occasional snow, and sometimes the sun. My favorite rainy day study spot is a coffee shop (I know, surprisingly, Kyla is at a coffee shop agaiiinnnn) in the Graduate Hotel, called Poindexter. I really enjoy this spot on a rainy day because it’s such a cozy environment. The lights are a little dark, and there are only a few windows. It’s normally pretty quiet and lowkey in there which makes it a great spot to get a ton of work done. One thing I find really cool about this place is that the walls are lined with wooden pencils and there is also a ton of seating. 

Another new place I have discovered is on the second floor of the IMU in the Student Organization Office suite. You know those giant windows on the front of the IMU overlooking the street? Yeah, that’s where this is. I enjoy studying here because of all the natural light. It’s so bright and airy and just makes me want to get things done. I’m not really sure if this area is meant for random kids to study in (hence the name Student Organization Office Suite) but I had no issues and there were other students in there also. This would be the perfect area to work on group projects in too!

The third and final spot I have discovered since my last study spot list is the top floor of the Papa John Business Building. The top floor is a designated quiet space so you are almost guaranteed to get a ton of work done while you are up there. I like going up there between classes to power out an assignment before my next class. Sometimes it’s tricky to find a spot to sit in the Biz Hub during the busier parts of the day but I never have a problem finding seating on the top floor!

I encourage you to try out a few of my new favorite study spots and hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

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Spring cleaning in the dorms

Posted on March 27, 2023

There is nothing better than having a clean and refreshed living space. Just because you live in a dorm does not mean you have to refrain from your annual spring cleaning. But what steps are crucial parts of spring cleaning a dorm room?

This past weekend I spent half of Sunday morning getting my dorm room in Burge refreshed for spring. I began by taking everything off my desk and dusting it. If your dorm is anything like mine, dust accumulates in about 0.002 seconds, so dusting is crucial. Once everything was off my desk, I used a Clorox wipe to wipe down every side and surface of it. This includes moving it out from the wall to clean that side too!

The next task was wiping down the sink area. I wiped down the top surface, and just like the desk, all the other sides of the sink too. I also wiped down our toothbrush holder and soap dispenser.

Cleaning all of the mirrors in my room is quite the task, as both my roommate and I have a small standing make-up mirror on our desk, a mirror in front of the sink, and a full-length mirror on the wall. I just used Windex and a paper towel to scrub all the spots away.

The following task, in my opinion, is the most important part of spring cleaning; decluttering. My roommate and I like to keep snacks in our room so we have an entire bin full of snacks, but a few items in the bin had been in there for a while and were not getting eaten. I went through everything and threw out things I knew we were not going to eat. We also have a fridge in our room so I went through everything in there and threw out what was old or wouldn’t get eaten. Then I restocked the fridge with water and our favorite drink of choice; Bubbl’r. As you could have guessed, I also wiped down every single side of the fridge and microwave. The inside of our microwave was gross so I used an old toothbrush, dawn dish soap, and hot water to scrub away all the grime.

Getting the floors clean is definitely one of the more tricky parts of spring cleaning in a dorm room. Sand from the sidewalks during the winter season always seemed to make its way into our room so our floors were quite grime-y. I began by taking a Clorox wipe to the baseboards all around the room. Then I used a paper towel along the edges of the wall to try and gather all of the dust bunnies that had accumulated in the low-traffic areas. Finally, it was time to vacuum absolutely everywhere.

All of this only took me about an hour and a half and my room felt so much better after! So what are you waiting for, it’s time to get that spring cleaning done in your room too

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Celebrating Holidays in the Dorms

Posted on February 28, 2023

One of my favorite things is decorating for each holiday and season. Although we are passed the busy holiday season, February is the month of Valentine’s day, so I decided I should tell you about holidays on campus.

As I mentioned before, I love to decorate, so as you can imagine my dorm room is fully decorated, even for the holidays. The target dollar section is where I find cheap holiday decor, perfect for a dorm. I always grab one of the five-dollar holiday pillows and a few other small items, just to get in the spirit of the holiday. I find that decorating makes it feel more like home.

Not only is my dorm decorated for holidays, but the dining halls here on campus are almost always decorated for a holiday or event. The most recent decorations have been for the Chinese New Year. In addition, I can recall the dining halls being decorated for the Fall season, homecoming, and Christmas. In the dining halls, they always find a reason to decorate and celebrate which is fun. I think it creates a welcoming environment for the students!

If you think you’ll have to give up the spirit of the holidays after moving into the dorms, think again, it’s always festive!

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Why you should live in Burge

Posted on January 30, 2023

As many high school seniors, soon-to-be Hawkeyes, begin deciding what dorm they would like to live in, I am going to convince you why you should live in Burge! I might be biased, okay I’m very biased, but I have some valid points.
In the months leading up to picking a dorm room, I was convinced I wanted to live in Catlett and there was nowhere else I would even think about living. However, my roommate swayed me into living in Burge. Now being here for a whole semester, I couldn’t imagine not living in Burge! So here are five reasons why Burge is the best dorm.

1. The rooms are huge. I live in a double, so our beds are at the high captain, and we still have enough room for two desks, a giant futon, and a refrigerator. Everything I could ever need in here can definitely fit, no doubt. There’s so much space and storage for everything. The rooms are even nicely renovated
2. There is a sink in every room. This may seem like no big deal, but trust me, you do not want to leave your room to brush your teeth. It’s also convenient for washing the few dishes I do have.
3. The bus stops are right out the front door. In the winter, you’re not going to want to walk anywhere so having convenient access to the bus stop is SO NICE. Once you get off the bus you’re home, you don’t have to walk another block home after getting off.
4. The Clinton Street Market. This is also convenient if you don’t have much time to eat. They offer a variety of meal options and you can use flex swipes or hawk dollars. It stays open until midnight so this is also a great option to grab something late at night. It’s very nice to have it right downstairs.
5. The people. Everyone that lives here is so friendly and welcoming. I’m friends with all of my neighbors and we all have fun and get along really well. I feel like there’s just a bond between people that live in Burge unlike any other residence hall haha!

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Semester Recap and My Advice

Posted on December 22, 2022

I feel like I just moved into my dorm last week, but here I am, writing to you with one semester under my belt. I did, in fact, survive my first finals week, so I’m back at home right now on Christmas break. Without further ado, I bring you my semester recap; the do’s, the don’ts, the good, the bad, and everything in between.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about my first semester is don’t burn yourself out on dining hall food. You have flex swipes for a reason, use them!! My favorite flex swipe meal is at the River Room Cafe in the IMU. They have pasta and stir fry on certain days throughout the week which is really good. The Union Station, also in the IMU, has amazing sandwiches from Erberts and Gerberts (for those who don’t know, as I didn’t, it’s like Jimmy Johns).

Again, don’t burn yourself out on schoolwork. Living at school can feel like all you do is homework so you really have to make a point to put your computer away and just walk away. I got myself into the habit of not doing homework after dinner time. This really helped me have a more balanced schedule.

Finding my favorite study spots was definitely an adventure. I have a post about my favorite study spots that you should check out. Otherwise, recently I have been studying on the second floor of the IMU. It has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the street below. Normally it’s pretty quiet up there so that’s always a plus.

Exploring the city is an absolute must. There are so many things to do and see and so many restaurants and coffee shops to check out. I had a blast trying all the different coffee shops this first semester, as I tried every coffee shop on the east side of campus. Studying at a coffee shop is just unmatched.

One thing that I did to make my dorm feel more like home is I decorate it for the seasons. Target and CVS always had cheap little decorations for the Halloween/fall season and Christmas. It was a nice little touch of home for me in Iowa City.

Studying is something we all just have to figure out as we go. You might fail but you just have to brush it off and learn from it. Some people study better in a group setting while others are better off alone, it really just depends on the person. By the time finals came around I knew the best way to study for them, so I was okay. I also learned that stressing about finals is actually overrated, at least for the classes that I took this semester because the final exam was not going to make or break my grade.

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Why I Chose Iowa and What I Think Now

Posted on November 22, 2022

Why I chose Iowa

1. The welcoming and friendly environment. When I came on my campus visit everyone was so welcoming. From the moment I walked in the front doors at the IMU, I was greeted by friendly faces who were ready to help me find my way. 
2. The campus and downtown are intertwined. I loved how downtown was right across the street from the Pentacrest and everything was super walkable. There are even campus buildings right in the heart of the downtown district.
3. All the major, minor, and certificate options. If you can think of it, it’s probably an option. It made me comfortable knowing that if I ever changed my mind about my career path/ major, I would more than likely be able to find something else I was interested in.
4. Big 10 school. I loved the appeal of attending sporting events at Iowa.

 

What I think now

1. The people really are as welcoming and friendly as they seemed during my visit. All the students and teachers here really just want to help you and see you succeed. Honestly, there are so many great resources from supplemental instruction to student health here on campus to help you thrive.
2. With the campus being intertwined with downtown Iowa City it really makes for a great college town and college experience. All the great businesses and restaurants are within walking distance of the east-side dorms. The university and organizations on campus do a really good job partnering with the local businesses, which makes it really easy to get out and explore the downtown area. Being from a small town I’m really loving to get out and try all the coffee shops and explore downtown especially as we are approaching the holiday season.
3. I came into college set on majoring in marketing, in the back of my head I always knew that if I ended up changing my mind I would have so many other major options to choose from. Although I have not changed my major (and don’t plan to…yet), I have added a super cool, media management minor that the university offers. 
4. Deciding to go to college at a BIG 10 school was honestly the best decision. Getting to go to all the home football games this season was a whole experience on its own. There’s just nothing like the atmosphere in Iowa City on a hawkeye gameday. I have attended a few of the home basketball games already this season and those are super fun too. It sounds cliche but the atmosphere created in Carver is one of a kind. 

 

Overall my time at Iowa has been so much more than I expected. I have enjoyed my classes and I have gotten the support I needed to be successful, but so many students at other schools can say that too. What really makes Iowa stand out amongst other schools is the welcoming atmosphere and the great college experience. I know without a doubt that choosing the University of Iowa was the right decision to make and I can’t imagine spending four years anywhere else. 

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My Top Five Favorite Study Spots This Fall

Posted on October 11, 2022

This fall I’ve been on a kick of finding my favorite study spots, so I’ve compiled a list of places that I’ve found, and overall really liked.

Coming in at number 5 is the IMU terrace. This is a peaceful spot next to the river with a pretty view. It is normally pretty quiet out there except it can get a little loud during the lunch hour. Seating is pretty basic, with a regular outdoor table and chairs and some patio furniture. I normally sit out there to study after getting lunch from the River Room Cafe which is right inside. All in all, I would rate the IMU a solid 8/10, only taking points off because sometimes it can get a little noisy, and sometimes the sun gets a little too bright to see a computer screen.

Next up at number 4 is the Psychology building. Right inside the door is a study area with a few cool chairs, and high-top counter-like surface looking out the large windows, and regular tables with chairs. I really enjoy studying at the high-top counter looking out the window because there is an abundance of natural light. The space is modern and functional. Overall it stays pretty quiet most of the time and doesn’t get too busy ever. I enjoy studying here in the mornings when the natural light is just right.

Number 3 is one of my favorite late-night study spots, High Ground Cafe. The vibes are immaculate, I like to tuck myself away in a corner and get to work. At night the lighting is soft and it’s always so peaceful. The few times that I have been there during the day, the natural light is flowing in through the big windows which is nice. Another point for High Ground is the coffee and pastries.

Another one of my favorite study spots is the Voxman Music Building. I like going to the fourth floor to either study on the terrace or right inside. The giant floor-to-ceiling windows make the space airy and it feels like you’re outside but in a temperature-controlled environment. On nice days I like sitting out on the terrace where there are many seating options and a decent view of the city. The noise inside or outside never gets too loud and it’s always very easy to focus when I study at Voxman. Overall I give Voxman a 10/10.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for… My all-time favorite study spot so far this fall has been Tru Coffee. It’s just a short walk from the dorms on the East side which is really nice. The space of the coffee shop is so cute and the giant windows allow for a ton of natural light, which I’m sure you’ve noticed now, is important to me in a study spot. The coffee is SO GOOD, and there are many seating options to choose from. The place is pretty quiet most of the time which makes it a great study spot. Overall 11/10.

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