10 ISU Campus Hacks Every Student Should Know

Navigating a campus can be a little tricky at times, especially if you are new to the school. It is so helpful to know the shortcuts and tips from fellow students in order to make the most of your time while away at college. Keep reading for 11 ISU campus hacks every Illinois State student should know!

1. Eat at “off times”.

DO NOT go and eat lunch at like 12 pm and dinner around 6 pm because that is when everyone is going to be eating. The dining center will be packed and you will have to wait in long lines to get your food and you might not end up finding a table. Eating lunch at 11:30 am may seem early, but hardly anyone will be there. Also, try and eat during times you know everyone else is in class.

2. Map out your classes.

Before the first day of school even starts, go around to the different buildings you have class in and in your mind make a route to get around. This will save you time so you aren’t running around campus on the first day trying to find the building. Finding the classroom is difficult enough if it’s in a massive building so knowing where the building at least is located will save you some time that you can use looking for the room.

3. Decorate your keys.

If you have different keys to get into your building and dorm room, try decorating them. Maybe don’t paint them like Zoey 101 because you might be charged for that, but maybe add some stickers or if you really want to paint them, use nail polish so that way, at the end of the year, you can simply take it off with some nail polish remover. This way, you won’t constantly mix up your keys.

4. Organize your cords.

Keeping all your cords organized can become a real hassle. To make it easier, get a few empty toilet paper rolls, roll up the cords, and put them in the toilet paper roll. To make it easier to differentiate the cords, you can use washi tape to decorate the toilet paper rolls as well as write the different uses for the cords on them.

5. Use command hooks.

Honestly, everywhere you go or anyone you talk to will tell you to bring command hooks with you because you will use them for EVERYTHING. The most convenient being you can hang twinkle lights from them to make your room look cuter. Also, hang a few right by your door and use them as key hooks so you never lose your keys. And, if you want your hooks to look cuter, you can use spray paint and make them more appealing.

6. Use bread clips.

You know those clips you use to keep your bread nice and fresh, DON”T THROW THEM AWAY! Keep them because you can use them to label different cables. When you have more than one cord plugged into a power strip, it can get pretty difficult to find the one you want. Simply label the clip and stick it to the end of the cord so you never have to guess what you’re unplugging.

7. Separate laundry.

Try and do this whenever you are putting clothes into your hamper or laundry basket. This will make your life 100% easier once you get to laundry day. If you throw your clothes straight into your basket, throw whites into one pile, darks into another, etc. That way, everything will be separated saving you time from doing it later.

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8. Keep cleaning supplies in one place.

Don’t just have random cleaning supplies laying around your room. I recommend getting one bin big enough to fit all of the supplies and put it somewhere. I put mine on the top shelf of my roommates closet because we found that it took up less space that it would have anywhere else and it wasn’t as much of an eye sore. But, if you can’t do that, maybe place it under your bed or in a nook somewhere in the room where it will be easy to get.

9. Use shower curtain hangers.

If you really want to bring those 30 scarves to college but have no room for them, fear not. Buy a few of those plastic shower curtain hangers and put them on a hanger and boom, you can hang your scarves on there and not take up too much space. You can also use cute shower hangers and curtains for your own dorm room curtains or even a bedroom canopy.

10. Use candle jars.

More specifically the ones from Bath and Body Works. I’m sure everyone has a few of these laying around. If you can no longer light the candle, take it out and wash the jar. You can fill the jars with nail polish, cotton swabs, floss, even candy. It can keep your desk or anywhere in your dorm organized. They are perfect for keeping little items you don’t know what to do with.