Tag Archives: college residence life

Organizing Your Dorm Room

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We hope you’re super excited to finally have the REAL college experience. That means moving into your new dorm room! It’s important to save as much space as you can, especially if you are living with a roommate. Space will always be limited. What’s great is places like Target and Amazon sell awesome items to help you save space and stay organized. Here are four simple items to help keep your dorm room looking and functioning great. 

Storage Ottomans 

You can never have enough seating in your room for lounging, chatting with friends, or study groups. While storage ottomans give you an extra seat, they also help maximize your space. They are a great spot to store movies or extra supplies that might not fit in your cupboards. 

Under Bed Storage Bins 

You truly cannot have enough of these. With a variety of sizes, storage bins or boxes fit great under your bed and save space in your room. From plastic bins to fabric boxes, you’ll have many options on how to store your shoes, clothes, or items rarely used. If you want to make things easier for yourself, buy clear plastic bins to see which of your items are in each box. 

Foldable Storage Cubes 

Foldable storage cubes can help organize your snacks, toiletries, and school supplies. They’re easy to store and fit perfectly on shelves, inside your closet, or under your bed. 

Command Hooks 

Command hooks are useful for many reasons. They won’t just help hang frames or string lights around your room, but they can also be used as a place to hang your keys, bags, or towels. The best part is that they won’t damage your walls! 

These are just a few of the MANY ways to organize your room so look around,  plan ahead, and get some great items before you arrive on campus. 

Note: Be sure you carefully read your communications from Student Life and regularly check the Fall Campus Plan webpage to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 safety precautions PUC will be enforcing.

Roommate 101

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Whether you’re used to sharing your space or this will be your first experience, moving into your college dorm room and meeting your roommate is likely to be a nervewracking experience, even if you’re moving in with a friend! Here are a few tips to help you be the best roommate you can be. 

Be Friendly

First things first, be friendly. Even if you’re shy it’s important for you to make an effort. If you’re rooming with someone you’ve never met, try reaching out to them before you arrive on campus. Become social media friends, plan what things you can each bring for the room, and get acquainted. Not only will it make sharing space more comfortable but it will help to have someone to wander campus with!

Now that you’re friends, here are some things to keep in mind to allow for peaceful cohabitation!

Communicate 

Communication is key. Try to keep each other in the loop about all sorts of things. Share your schedules, check-in with each other before letting other people in your shared space, give fair warning about pulling all-nighters.  As you get more comfortable with each other, try to let them know if you’re having a tough day or aren’t feeling well. Even the tiny details about yourself can make a big difference in your living situation. 

Address Any Issues 

If you are having issues or feeling uncomfortable about something, speak up. Usually simply addressing a concern leads to a quick solution as long as you treat each other respectfully. If you need extra help or advice, talk to your RA or dean. 

Compromise 

In case you have a disagreement, compromise with each other! We can’t always get our own way so be sure to come to a solution that works well for both of you.

Set Boundaries 

Make sure you give yourselves some boundaries. Whether it’s wanting your own space, needing quiet after a certain time, sharing food or clothes, or any number of things, it’s important to set some ground rules so everyone is comfortable. 

Pick Your Battles 

There are bound to be times where you will get annoyed or disagree with your roommate. Before you get mad and get in a fight, think about the situation and ask yourself if it’s worth arguing over. There will definitely be times where you will need to talk the situation out but if you can, take a step back, take the high road, and learn how to let the little things go. 

Be Aware Of Your Bad Habits 

The older we get the more self-awareness we gather. Becoming aware of some of your less positive habits can be a real benefit when sharing living space. If you know you have a tendency to be messy or leave all the lights on you can try and be more mindful of those things. 

Wear Headphones 

One of the best things you can do to keep a positive roommate relationship is to invest in a quality pair of headphones. Be considerate and wear them when you’re listening to music or watching a movie whether it’s late at night or not. We even recommend wearing them while you study so your roommate won’t feel like they’re bothering you.

You Don’t Always Have To Hangout

Just because you’re roommates doesn’t mean you always have to be together. You already live together, so it’s okay to have space from each other. If you love hanging out, that’s great! But if you want to have dinner without each other or have a different group of friends, that’s totally ok. In fact, it can create an even healthier friendship if you have some time apart. 

There are millions of ways to have a positive and healthy roommate relationship, these are just some of our suggestions we hope you find helpful. Keep these tips in mind throughout the year and remember to treat your roommate the way you would want to be treated. Having a roommate is a great experience. Who knows, your roommate could end up being a lifelong friend!

Note: Be sure you carefully read your communications from Student Life and regularly check the Fall Campus Plan webpage to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 safety precautions PUC will be enforcing. 

 

Your PUC Packing List 

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Packing for college is definitely one of the more overwhelming things you’ll likely deal with this summer. On top of trying to decide what things from home you want to bring with you, there are a lot of things you’ll need to buy. So to help you out here’s a pretty thorough list of things to make sure you bring along! And remember, if you forget something, you can always take a trip to Napa or run across the street to the College Market!

 Room Needs: 

  • Clorox wipes 
  • Hand sanitizer 
  • Hand soap
  • Washable face masks 
  • Medications (if needed)
  • First aid kit 
  • Cleaning supplies 
  • Paper towels 
  • Bedding
  • Pillows 
  • Blankets 
  • Room fan
  • Earphones 
  • Powerstrip 
  • Hangers 
  • Laundry basket and supplies
  • Food, snacks, and water 
  • Fridge 
  • Microwave 
  • Kitchenware 
  • Food storage containers 
  • Dish soap and sponge 
  • Bath towels 
  • Shower mat 
  • Flip flops and/or slides 
  • Vacuum or Swiffer  
  • Trash bin and trash bags 

Note: It’s a good idea to coordinate with your roommate so your room doesn’t end up with duplicates of the same items, but there’s still plenty you can get on your own!

Suggested Items:

  • Mattress pad 
  • Desk lamp
  • Desk organizer 
  • Storage bins
  • Air fresheners 
  • Hot pot 
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Mug 
  • Command strips 
  • Umbrella 
  • Wall decor 
  • Calendar/bulletin board
  • Luggage (for school trips) 
  • Phone charger

Clothes (your space will be limited, so only bring what you will wear):

  • Undergarments 
  • Sleepwear
  • Cold and warm weather items
  • Rain jacket 
  • Boots 
  • Sneakers 
  • Socks 
  • Athletic wear 
  • Business attire (for interviews and presentations) 

Toiletries: 

  • Shower caddy 
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body soap 
  • Hair grooming tools 
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss 
  • Lotion 
  • Deodorant 
  • Nail cutters/file 
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Skincare products

School Supplies:

  • Backpack/Bag
  • Notebooks 
  • Pens & pencils 
  • Highlighters 
  • Folders 
  • Lined paper 
  • Planner 
  • Sticky notes 
  • Index cards 
  • Scissors 
  • Tape 
  • Whiteout 
  • USB flash drive 
  • Calculator 
  • Clicker (if necessary for class) 
  • Computer (not required! Just super helpful!)

If you’re planning to get a campus job, bring the following: 

  • Drivers license
  • Birth certificate 
  • Passport 
  • Social Security Number (SSN) card

Note: In general, just a passport is sufficient. If you don’t have a passport, then you will need either your driver’s license + your birth certificate or your driver’s license + your SSN card. You must bring original documents, not photocopies or screenshots of them. You will not be able to start working until your ID has been verified. Visit puc.edu/studentemployment for more information; see the Form I-9 PDF.

If you’re planning to have a car on campus, bring the following: 

  • Drivers license 
  • Registration card 
  • Copy of car insurance 

Stores Nearby (in case you forgot to buy something):

  • College Market (Angwin) 
  • Ace Hardware (Angwin) 
  • Safeway (St. Helena) 
  • Target (Napa) 
  • Walmart (Napa) 
  • Marshalls (Napa) 
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond (Santa Rosa) 

Banking Needs: 

  • Silverado Credit Union (Angwin) 
  • Bank of America (St. Helena) 
  • Wells Fargo (St. Helena) 
  • Bank of the West (St. Helena) 
  • Chase (Napa) 

We hope you’re getting excited to arrive on campus because we are! 

Note: Be sure you carefully read your communications from Student Life and regularly check the Fall Campus Plan webpage to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 safety precautions PUC will be enforcing.

Things To Do Before Starting School 

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You finally finished finals and walked across the (virtual) graduation stage and now, hopefully, you’re enjoying some much-needed rest before heading off on your higher educational journey. But before you arrive on campus, there are a few things you should do, and to make this as easy as possible, we made you a list!

Complete Financial Aid

Don’t wait in long and socially distanced lines, get financially cleared before you arrive. Contact your financial aid counselor to make sure you have completed everything. You can call them at (707) 965-7200 or email them at studentfinance@puc.edu. 

Know Your Academic Advisor 

It’s important to know who your academic advisor is, they’re not only going to be helping you set up your class schedule but they’ll be there for you all year long for any questions you may have. If you haven’t received info on your advisor, check in with your Admissions Counselor. They’ll be able to help.

Research Majors 

If you’re undecided, that’s okay! PUC has over 70 degrees and programs for you to choose from. Do your research on our website and see what program interests you the most. If you need some guidance, call your admissions counselor at (800) 862-7080, option 2.

Get Yourself Checked-Up

Students must have a TB skin test (or other forms of tuberculosis clearance testing) from their doctor within the last 12 months. If you still need to do this, schedule an appointment with your doctor, and get a copy of your physical examination form. 

Make Sure Your Room Is Set 

Make sure your dorm room is set and ready for your arrival. If you haven’t filled out a residence hall form, make sure you complete it ASAP. 

Check-In With Your Roommate 

Roommates are assigned later on in the summer and once you know yours, check in with them! It’s great to start getting to know each other early so there are fewer move-in-day nerves, plus, you can make sure you don’t bring duplicate items, like fridges or microwaves. 

Explore Your Hometown 

There’s no place like home, so don’t forget to explore your hometown and enjoy the places you won’t see every day. Order your favorite takeout and spend some time with your loved ones.

Prepare Your Checklist 

Start a checklist. Add school and dorm supplies you need to buy and things you don’t want to forget to pack. Having a checklist will help you remember and keep you on track. 

This may seem like a lot to do but if you start now, you’ll be done in no time! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the admissions team for help at (800) 862-7080, option 2. We can’t wait to have you on campus! 

 

Residential Life 101

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There are tons of exciting and new things about going off to college. One of those is moving into a residential hall. Unless you went to a boarding academy (if you did you are pros already) this is likely your first time living ‘on your own’. You might be very excited about this or you might have a lot of anxiety surrounding the idea. Either way, you’re bound to have questions. Lucky for you, we have the answers! 

First of all, let’s cover how you even get a room assigned to you. It’s actually fairly simple because we’ll do it for you! Once you’re accepted, you’ll be asked to pay a $200 deposit and fill out a housing reservation form. This lets us know of your plans. Since rooms are assigned in the order they are received, it’s a good idea to do this ASAP! Room assignments are sent out in the summer. Something for you to look forward to. 

Now that we have that covered, what should you plan to bring with you? Each residence hall room contains two beds, dresser drawers, closets, desks and chairs, and one sink with a mirror. However, figuring out what else you’ll need to pack and bring to college can be difficult so to make it easier we came up with a packing list to help. Read our “Your College Packing List” post for ideas about what you probably should bring with you for your move up to PUC

Just because you’re not living at home with your family doesn’t mean you’re completely on your own. Each residence hall has a dean who lives in the building. They have a team of RAs or residence assistants, who work with them to ensure each student within their dorm is having the best experience possible. Their goal is for each student to feel like they’re part of the special Pioneers family. 

We asked RA, Alexis Keller to answer a few commonly asked questions about life in the PUC residential halls. 

What is an RA, what is your role?

An RA is a student leader in the dorms. We are there to provide educational, social, and spiritual opportunities for the residents! RA’s will do nightly “room checks,” stopping by each room to check-in and see how you’re doing. RA’s are also there to lend an ear (with confidentiality) if you want to talk about a rough day you had, a bad breakup, or if you need a shoulder to cry on, or just simply need to vent. Our rooms are always open if residents need a place to discuss any issues they are having, or just want to chill. Overall, RA’s are here to enhance your dorm life by being a resource for residents who have any questions/concerns, maintain a safe environment, create meaningful worship events, and plan fun social activities.

Will I have a curfew?

Yes, the curfew is 11 p.m. every night except for Saturday, where curfew is 12 midnight. This does not mean you have to be in your room, but simply in the building. Often residents will still be up in the various study areas of the dorm past curfew. There is also an extension to this curfew, which will be explained more during your orientation!

What social opportunities will I have in the residential hall?

There are many social opportunities in each residence hall! We typically do a big social event once a month, such as movie nights, pizza parties, pancake breakfasts, dorm Olympics, etc. Smaller social events will also happen on your own floor. Anything from a movie night, game night, tea time, and lots of others! Along with attending these social activities, you can put your own creative ideas to good use by working with your RA’s to come up with events that you would like to see happen in your dorm.

What spiritual opportunities?

Each residential hall has all-dorm worship that happens once a week with food, activities, music, and worship thought. Additionally, RA’s will have individual floor worship once a week where students can stop by for a quick snack and devotion. Along with the weekly scheduled worships, RA’s are available for one-on-one Bible studies with the residents. Even when we are not with our residents, we are always praying for them and their success!

What is one of the more challenging things about living in a residential hall and what are some ways you deal with it?

One of the more challenging aspects of living in a residential hall is learning how to live with another person in your space. Having a roommate or suitemate that is messy, has a different sleep schedule, different music tastes, or different living habits can be frustrating. It is important to always be communicative with your roommate as well as be willing to meet them halfway! College is a wonderful growing experience and these challenges can help you grow a closer connection with your roommate when handled correctly. You can always come to your RA’s to discuss any roommate disagreements and to talk about solutions and alternatives to make your living experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

What’s your favorite thing about living in the residential hall?

One of my favorite things about living in the residential hall is the sense of community. Through the various social and worship events, I get to know most of the residents in a more relaxed setting separate from the stress of school. Because we all live together, it is nice to be able to pop over to a friend’s room to hang out as well as to meet up with students within your major for study sessions.

 

Get the Answers to Your Residential Life Questions

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There’s a high chance moving into your new dorm room the first weekend in college will be your first experience living “on your own” away from home. For some, it’s very exciting but for others, it can be a little overwhelming. However you feel about it, you’re bound to have some questions about what it’s like to live at PUC. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about life in one of our six residence halls.

How are rooms in the residence halls assigned?

Once you’re accepted, you will need to pay a $200 deposit and fill out a housing reservation form, letting us know of your plans. Rooms are assigned in the order they’re received, so it’s a good idea to do this as soon a possible! Paying your deposit also makes you eligible to register for classes (starting in April). Room assignments are sent out during the summer.

Learn more about what to do after you’re accepted at puc.edu/alreadyaccepted.

What if I don’t get along with my roommate?

Whether you’re rooming with a friend you’ve known for years or someone you don’t know, you’re guaranteed to have a difference of opinion every once in a while. Try talking the issue through with them, and if needed, you can also talk with your RA or your dean. If you truly feel you can’t work it out, you always have the option to switch to another room, so don’t feel stuck.

Read our “Three Ways to Solve Issues with Your Roommate” post for ideas on how to navigate possible issues that might arise while having a roommate.

Speaking of RA’s and deans, what’s an RA and who is my dean?

Each residence hall has a dean who lives in the building. They have a team of RAs or residence assistants, who work with them to ensure each student within their dorm is having the best experience possible. Their goal is for each student to feel like they’re part of the special Pioneer family.  

Check out the dean profiles on our blog to get to know each of the seven awesome people who work as deans in PUC’s residence halls! One of them may end up being yours! When you get your room assignment in the summer, you’ll also learn who your dean is, and can reach out to them with any questions you might have about your room.

What will I need in my dorm room?

Each residence halls room contains two beds, dresser drawers, closets, desks and chairs, and one sink with a mirror. However, figuring out what else you’ll need to pack and bring to college can be difficult so to make it easier we came up with a packing list to help.

Read our “Your College Packing List” post for ideas about what you probably should bring with you for your move up to PUC!

What dorm activities I can be involved in?

There’s always a lot going on in the residence halls, and you can be as involved as you want! There are weekly worship events your RA will hold for your hall, and usually an all-dorm worship too. The same goes for socials, like movie nights or spa nights. In the men’s residence halls, there’s almost always a group surrounding the lobby TV watching a sports game. Many dorms also do pancake breakfasts or brunch on the weekends. You can also grab a friend and hit the sauna in Newton (for men) or blow off some steam in Andre’s workout room (for women).

PUC has a team of amazing residence hall deans, RAs, and desk workers who can’t wait to get to know you. We’re excited to have you on campus soon! If you have questions about the dorms or your housing before you get here, call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with one of our admissions counselors for help!

Dorm Life: What It Means To Be A Man of Grainger

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By Aren Rennacker
BS in Public Relations & Journalism, Minor in Theology, 2011

Three years ago, I graduated from PUC. It was one of the greatest days of my life, the culmination of four years spent studying, growing, and oversleeping. I was thrilled to have reached the end, but sad to no longer be on the journey.

One of the best parts about that journey was the residence life. I know when most people think of cool college living, they don’t think of dormitories. It’s about getting an apartment, joining a fraternity or sorority, and not worrying about curfew. But at PUC, dorm life is a huge part of college. It’s as essential to the experience as buying books and writing papers. You can get off-campus housing (maybe), but for my lender’s money, I wouldn’t consider it.

My home from 2007-2011 was Grainger Hall, one of three male dorms on campus. Grainger is like a fraternity in that it emphasizes close community among its 160 tenants. The residents call themselves MOG, Men of Grainger, and are active in dorm events, such as Olympic games and Thursday night worships, and campus life, including vespers programs and athletics. They also hold fast to many long-standing traditions.
But what exactly makes a Man of Grainger? I was fortunate enough to serve as the head residential assistant of the dorm my final year (look out), so I figured I should research it and find out.

William C. Grainger, seated, second from left, looking like a boss.

William C. Grainger, seated, second from left, looking like a boss.

Grainger Hall’s namesake is William C. Grainger, a teacher at the original Healdsburg campus who became the college’s second president in 1886. Under his leadership, the college flourished. A tall, thin, dark-haired man (think the Adventist Abe Lincoln), Grainger came west after a grasshopper plague forced him out of Missouri. Tell me that doesn’t build fortitude.

Grainger was not a man of many words, but was known to always give his full time and attention to whomever he was with, no matter how busy his schedule was. He was known to stand up for women when male students did not fully respect them, and believed strongly in their abilities. He often trained women to be ready for work in the conference, even though employment opportunities for women at that time were rare. Finally, though he constantly used his Bible, he never made a mark in it because he worked hard to memorize Scripture. “W.C. is as true a Christian as Christian gets,” some old guy likely said.

So, what did I find out? Grainger Hall’s namesake always gave his time to others, deeply respected women, and was passionate about the Bible. That’s a Man of Grainger, and it makes me even more proud to be a part of MOG.

I’m writing this from a plane flying me home from Phoenix where I served in my friend’s wedding. The two of us met seven years ago as neighbors on Grainger’s third floor. I’ve got four more weddings in the next six months, all for guys I lived with at PUC. I’ll say again, one of the best parts of the PUC experience is the residence life. Keep in mind, all of our dorms are great., each with their own story. I hear Jim Newton invented the spork.

Following my PUC graduation, I moved down to San Diego to work at a church with an ocean view and perfect weather—and yet, I miss having 160 roommates. It helped shape who I am, created lasting memories, and gave me life-long friends. I may not be quite the man William C. Grainger was, but I think I’ve got one thing figured out: If you’re going to PUC, don’t be afraid to pass on the apartment.

(Editor’s Note: Check out our new video about PUC residence life!)