CRAMSECTION
Keeping your stuff organized, even when you're not
By Misty Huber, Jayplay reporter
You've finally crammed all of your and your roommate's stuff into your dorm or apartment. Everything feels set until you get your first assignment. With no other space to do your work, you push your pillows onto the floor and throw your books, pens and paper onto your bed. Suddenly your roommate and three of her new, loud friends come in discussing the heinous teacher from their literature class, and you can pretty much forget about any peace and quiet.
and quiet. Well, you can either choose to spend next semester taking all of the same classes or create your own study area.
SHARING SMALL SPACES
Students have special challenges because of space restrictions and roommates. Tammy Jo Schoppet, author of Decorating Your Rental Space: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Apartment-Home-Studio-Dorm and founder of Rental Decorating Digest, suggests designating areas for the five S's: sitting, studying, socializing, sleeping and snacking.
The ideal way to limit distractions is to set up your study space in your bedroom, Schoppet says. But if you live in a dorm or have a small room, that's just not possible. If you are sharing a study space in a room that's also used for entertaining, section off the area with dividers and keep a pair of headphones to drown out background noise. Better yet, agree with roommates on times you can do your homework without interruptions, such as when the other is in class.
is in class.
To keep your focus on studying, set your study area apart from the rest of your living space. "Little things can define and separate the space for you psychologically," says Paige Gilchrist, author of Decorating Your First Apartment. Gilchrist
suggests using separate rugs and lighting, using shelves as dividers, or painting the wall a different color.
Of course room divider screens and shelving can be expensive and take up a lot of space. Lindsay Schuhler, Olathe junior and Pier 1 Imports, 3211 Iowa, sales associate, suggests attaching a roll-up window blind to your ceiling to create a private studying area. When you're not studying and want more space, you can pull the blinds up.
WHAT TO BUY
If you're not lucky enough to already to have your own desk and chair, have no fear, there are good deals in Lawrence. Office Depot, 2525 Iowa, has the most inexpensive desk and chair combos for $39.95. It has room for all of your computer items, a place to write, and a small drawer for study accessories. If you just need separates, head to Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa. Computer carts start at$ 29.63 and task chairs at $17.62. Don't be tempted to save money by buying a stool. Your back will hate you after a three-hour cram session.
after a three-hour屯店 checkout Schoppet suggests keeping everything you need for homework within reach of your study area, and keeping everything organized in its own place. Wal-Mart offers inexpensive office storage containers, such as pencil holders and drawer caddies, but Pier One wins out for style and selection. Plus, Pier One offers students a 15 percent discount on non-sale items until Sept. 22.
When planning storage for accessories, think vertical. Use stackable trays and wall file holders. Hang baskets from the ceiling to where you can reach them sitting down.
...
to where you can reach it With a little effort, you can create an area where you may actually enjoy learning. Or at the very least, you won't have to trek to the library when it's pouring outside.
DAMAGE CONTROL Late for an Interview
Despite leaving early and pre-planning your route, you are about to be law for an interview. Before running over pedestrians or just slinking back home in failure, do the honorable thing: call. Listening your interviewer know your situation and your estimated ETA is the most professional way to go. Be calm and make sure to emphasize that you are letting him or her know as soon as you realized you would be late. Calling is always better than chancing it, even by a few minutes.
— Stephanie Lovett
Source: www.hotjob.com
FIVE MINUTE FIX>>
If you've just moved in, you may notice a few nail holes in the wall that your landlord didn't bother repairing.Before you call the maintenance guy, think about doing it yourself with these easy steps.
—Grab a damp cloth and clean up the surface
Head to the bathroom for some toothpaste. You'll want to use the white kind. So if you've been using the Listerine mint gel to scrub your choppers, borrow some white from a roommate.
—Apply small amounts of toothpaste with your finger until the hole is filled.
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—Let it set for a day or two if you plan to paint over it.
Jayplay 8.26.04
—Megan Claus