The Current | Vol. 32 Issue 1

So, it’s move-in day. You finally get your key and get to your new home, but as you begin to unpack, you look around at the bed, dressers and desk and have no idea what to do. Loft the bed? Desk by the window? Television by the bed or couch? Everyone living in a dorm has been there. It can definitely be overwhelming at first, but below are a few tips to help make things easier. Coordinate with your roommate(s) First of all, you’ll want to coordinate with your roommate. Having a roommate makes dorm reorganization simultaneously easier and harder, depending on if you and your roommate are in agreement or disagreement with how things will get done. Talk to them about where to move things and how to organize and set up the room and what to buy for the room. You don’t want to end up with two microwaves and two refrigerators. Best case scenario is you each get your side of the room set up how you’d like with minimal disagreement NSU Cribs: Setting up your new dorm and compromises that won’t irritate the both of you. Organizing your space The biggest problem with dorm set- up comes when you have your own room to decorate and organize. Especially now with the pandemic, we’re spending a lot of time in our rooms and a lot of time on Zoom. You don’t want your whole biology class to see your room behind you and think, “Yikes.” To avoid this embarrassment and help create a space that will inspire and motivate you to work hard, you’ll want to do a few different things. If you like natural light and having a nice view, try setting up your desk next to or in front of a window. The only problem with this is that the amount of sunlight can overexpose you and wash you out on a Zoom call, so make sure you have blinds or curtains you can shut to avoid looking like a glowing beacon during your online classes. To stay organized, hang up a Evan Kelley Contributing Writer whiteboard or calendar next to your desk to write down assignments, to-do lists and other goals. Silverware drawer organizers also fit in desk drawers and work excellently for keeping various office supplies separate and tidy. It also doesn’t hurt to have a few photos or mementos hung up around your desk to help comfort you when things get a bit stressful. Another thing: make sure you stock up on extension cords and power strips. You can’t always move furniture into your ideal location and have easy access to wall outlets, unfortunately. Decorate your space As for lounging areas like living rooms or even bedrooms, cute throw pillows, blankets and other various wall- hangings and lights can make the space feel much cozier and comforting. It may seem pointless to buy and put up all these extra items just to be taken down in a few months, but the difference in atmosphere Traveling in a pandemic Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, from out of state or even out of the country, flying may be on your mind as you consider your options for travel in the near future. Even though there are obvious risks to traveling during a pandemic, traveling on an airplane might not be as dangerous as it has been made out to be. Here are some tips, facts and precautions to take for making your air travel experience as safe as possible. Book flights without the panic. Recently, many airlines have gotten rid of seat and flight change fees, so you can now comfortably book that flight at an amazing price without the anxiety of not being able to cancel with ease for whatever reason. Although this is true for most airlines now, be sure to check the seat change and cancellation policies of your airline directly through a provider line or official website. Filtered air actually works in your favor. Everyone that has ever traveled by plane knows how terribly dry your skin can get while inside of an aircraft. Although the air ventilation systems on planes wreak dermatological havoc, it actually makes flying a bit safer during COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, “most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes... providing a total change of cabin air 20-30 times per hour.” This air is also passed through “High-efficiency Particulate Air Filtration filters, which have been proven to “remove more than 99% of airborne particles.” Having said all of this, you should still remain conscientiously adhering to all sanitary protocols, such as keeping your mask on during the flight, to reduce any chance of contracting the virus. Know the airline’s protocols before booking a flight. Unfortunately, sanitation and safety policies, including things such as whether middle seats are to be left empty or the frequency with which planes are cleaned, differ from airline to airline. These policies also change as time moves forward, so it is important to take note of these date changes if a specific policy is important to you and your personal safety. Stay cautious on the ground. Air is heavily filtered and circulated on planes, so your time spent in the airport may actually put you more at risk of exposure to COVID-19 than your time spent in the air. From the time you arrive at the airport to going through customs to waiting at the terminal, try your best to limit contact with anyone not in your party, sanitize your hands all the time and steer clear of highly touched surfaces. Check-in online. Circumventing unnecessary contact is the key to staying safe while traveling during a pandemic. By checking in and printing your boarding pass at home and ahead of time, you can avoid interaction with airline employees as well as the highly touched airport kiosk surfaces. Mobile boarding passes are also an option if you can’t access a printer a few days before your flight. However, be sure to pack wipes and use them to disinfect your phone after passing through checkpoints that require it. Be a smart flyer. Being extra prepared as a traveler is now more important than ever in the midst of this pandemic. Your aim should be to spend minimal time among the crowds of people in the airport, which means you also want to get past airport security as swiftly as possible. Here are a few ways that could make your transit run more smoothly: • Try not to wear unnecessary layers, jewelry or any accessories that you’d have to take off to get through security. • Store electronics, such as your laptop, in easily-accessible places. • Keep your ID as well as your boarding pass within reach at all times. • Be aware of the volume of liquids stored in your carry-on. These liquids should usually be less than 3.4 oz. If airport security finds anything that exceeds this amount in your luggage, you will be stopped for extra screening. Hopefully, these facts and suggestions will help you remain COVID-19-free on your next journey to campus, home or wherever you are deciding to fly to next. Happy (and safe) travels. Isabella Gomez Contributing Writer May 25 2021| nsucurrent.nova.edu 9 Student Life is astronomical. After a long day of classes, you’ll want to have a nice and comfortable space to chill, not a cold and blank room that does nothing but remind you of how harsh reality can be at times -- unless you prefer it that way. In that case, save your money. A few great places for cute, unique and low price decorations and other furniture items are Ikea, Target, Walmart, Ross and TJ Maxx. All of these stores have convenient locations near NSU. In the end, it’s up to you to decorate and set up your dorm however you’d like. Your dorm is your home away from home, and you’ll want to set it up however will keep you comfortable. The simplest way to go about it is by choosing a color scheme or aesthetic you really enjoy and just going for it. Always keep in mind that, even if you don’t like your initial dorm space, you can change it up by moving furniture around and buying new decorations. Life is short, redecorate your dorm as often as you like. With permission to print from Christina McLaughlin