Getting Involved with Women Ambassadors at Embry-Riddle ✈️💕

My Journey

One of the most meaningful parts of my experience at Embry-Riddle has been getting involved with organizations that support women in aviation and STEM. Among them, Women Ambassadors stands out as a group that truly focuses on mentorship, outreach, and representation within the ERAU community. Being part of an environment that encourages leadership, confidence, and connection has made a huge difference in my college experience.

Women Ambassadors is a group of women on campus who work with the admissions office who are dedicated to promoting women in aviation, aerospace, and STEM while also supporting prospective and current students. Members often participate in campus events, outreach programs, tours, and mentorship opportunities that help showcase the opportunities available at Embry-Riddle. It’s not just about volunteering — it’s about being a visible example of women succeeding in aviation fields and helping the next generation see themselves here too.

What I especially appreciate about Women Ambassadors is the sense of community. ERAU can be academically intense, and being surrounded by motivated, supportive women who share similar goals makes the experience feel less overwhelming and more inspiring. Whether it’s helping at events, connecting with prospective students, or working alongside peers who are passionate about aviation, the organization creates meaningful connections that extend beyond campus activities.

For students considering involvement, Women Ambassadors offers a chance to build leadership skills, gain outreach experience, and contribute to something bigger than yourself. It’s a way to represent Embry-Riddle while also advocating for women in fields where representation still matters. For me, it’s been both personally rewarding and professionally valuable.


✈️Travels in Spring 2026 ✈️

This semester, I’m especially excited that Women Ambassadors has given me the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh for an Accepted Student Reception. Events like this allow us to connect directly with future Embry-Riddle students and their families, share our experiences, and help them envision what their own journey here could look like. Being able to represent ERAU outside of campus feels incredibly meaningful, because it highlights both the impact of the university and the role students play in welcoming the next generation. I’m really looking forward to meeting prospective students, answering their questions, and sharing why Embry-Riddle has been such an important part of my life so far.

Keep an eye out for a travel recap next month. 🙂

Until the next wave 🌊,

Grace Hamilton

Savor the Flavor: Hidden Gems Near You

As an Embry-Riddle student, I’ve learned pretty quickly that some of the best food in Daytona isn’t the places that everyone already knows. It is usually the local spots just a few minutes from campus that you only find though friends or random late-night food runs. Whenever I want something different from the everyday chain food or student union options, these are my top resturants that I keep going back too. They are all very close to Embry-Riddle, consistently tasty, and each place has its own vibe depending on what I’m in the mood for.


Location #1: Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza 🍕

Giuseppe’s is my go-to whenever I’m craving delicious pizza. The slices are huge, cheesy, and super filling. You could easily share a pizza between a group of three and still leave there hungry. The have a vast menu with anything and everything. I’ve grabbed pizza to go from here on those long days after classes and meetings, and its always been hot and fresh. I recommend you get the garlic knots as an appetizer. However, be careful as they are extremely tasty and you’ll be wanting some to-go as well.


Location #2: Hanwoo Korean BBQ 🥩

Hanwoo is one of the most fun spots I’ve found near Embry-Riddle. You grill the meat and vegetables right at your table, making the whole meal feel interactive an social. It is the perfect place for going with friends or celebrating. So far I think we have celebrated a couple birthdays and checkride passes. The sides and marinade make everything taste authentic and unique from other options in the area. Whenever I have family or friends visiting this is one of the first places we go.


Location #3: Tiki Docks Bar & Grill 🌴

Growing up in the Gulf Coast I developed a love for seafood at a very young age. Thankfully Daytona has many seafood places to offer. My favorite is Tiki Docks. This is where I go when I want something that feels very coastal without driving far. Sitting outside by the water, especially around sunset, feels like a mini vacation from school stress. The seafood and tropical drinks area the perfect combination. It is a great place for nice dinners, family visits, and celebrating after exams.


Location #4: The Casual Bird 🌊

The Casual Bird is my comfort-food favorite near school. They have a great amount of variety in their menu. My go to sandwich is the Turkey Melt with a side of hash brown casserole. If you are a coffee drinker they have a variety of coffee options with lots of room for customization. The seating area offers a coastal vibe where you can relax with friends, get coffee with the girls, and grab a delicious bite to eat before going to the beach.


One of my favorite parts of living off-campus has been discovering the local restaurants that make Daytona feel more like home. These restaurants have all become regular stops for me and friends depending on what we are craving. They are all close to campus but feel different from the usual student spots, which is exactly what makes them hidden gems. If you’re an ERAU student looking to branch out from the typical food rotation, these are definitely worth trying.

Until the next wave 🌊,

Grace Hamilton

Dirt, Ice, and Turf!

Hey everybody! I’m back, and this time, with sports! This past semester I’ve gone to baseball, hockey, and lacrosse (my personal favorites).


Starting off strong with baseball, you can never get tired of baseball sunsets, especially when they’re night games. There’s something about the atmosphere of a baseball game that makes me feel at home. I grew up in a baseball family (go St. Louis Cardinals!), so of course I had to watch baseball here! I also took this as another chance to practice my photography through the Avion! Photography is quickly becoming one of my favorite hobbies. Anyways, here are some baseball pictures!


The fast-paced environment of hockey is so fun to end your week with. I’ve always been a big hockey fan (go St. Louis Blues! Can you tell where I’ve grown up?), so I was excited to see what the games were going to look like. It’s definitely chilly in the arena, so make sure to bring a jacket! You’re able to sit above the hockey rink in stands on the second floor, or you could stand around the outside of the hockey rink on the first floor. My personal favorite spot is around the hockey rink. I have to stand on a bench to truly see into the rink (curse my 5″2 height), but I make the most of it. All-in-all, hockey is a sport that I try to go to every time there’s a home game.


Finally, lacrosse! I don’t think I’ve been to a sports game that was as fun as the men’s lacrosse game. They played music during the breaks, and they had a bean bag toss and hotdogs. Luckily, I know a little bit about lacrosse (thanks to my little sister, Gabby, who plays lacrosse!). Not to mention, the refreshing morning air is my favorite way to start the day. In the future, I’m also going to take this as an opportunity to practice my photography. This is a picture of my best friend and I at the lacrosse game!


That’s all folks! Thank you for coming along with me through my favorite sports. As I said before, here’s my quote for this week!

What if it all works out?

Catch you on the flip side,

Noelle 🌪️

Balancing School and Me-Time

Hi everybody! I’m Noelle, and I’m so excited to join the team. More importantly, I’m excited to share my life at Riddle as a freshman. I think I’ll be able to give a different perspective, especially since I’m living on campus and I’m a part of some amazing clubs!


Starting off strong, and what I think is the most important, is your school to me time balance. My first semester at college was a busy one. I joined a lot of clubs, and I thought I could do it all. Homework assignment after homework assignment, I thought I would never break my cycle. I was losing my passion for my hobbies, and my days started to feel shorter. I realized that something needed to change when my answer to the question, “What’ve you been up to?” was always, “Eat, sleep, homework.”

Make time for yourself!

My first semester taught me that I wanted to live a comfortable life at Riddle. And that started with prioritizing “me time“. For my own definition, me time is when you set aside time to focus on your own body, mind, and overall well-being. It could be 30 minutes out of your day to take a walk, an hour to read a book, whatever your idea of “me time” could be. Lately, I’ve found comfort in the gym, reading, and photography. I was nervous about going to the gym at first, but you just have to do it, and then that fear will go away. I’ve always been into reading, but I never gave myself time to read. This semester, I’ve gotten through half of a book that I was putting off! Photography was something new to me, but through the Avion, I’ve had a couple really cool opportunities to practice and get better.

Here are some of the photos I took from the Rolex 24 (January 24th-25th)! It was my first time really working with a camera, and I had a lot of fun learning the different angles. I stayed 27 hours, and I slept at the speedway. I was unprepared for how cold it was going to be, so if you want to try that, bring a blanket! But truthfully, I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world, and I will definitely be going to more races in the future. It was also a time for me to relax from schoolwork and other responsibilities.

Be smart when planning out your days

I don’t know about you, but a good day-to-day schedule is what gets me through the months. Having a schedule everyday allows me to block out time for my allocated me time. That way, I can still get my studying in, but I’m using my time wisely. I have breaks between my classes, so after my earliest class, that’s my time to go to the gym. Before bed, I block out time to read some of my book. Giving yourself time during the day to get your work done will save you from the nights of endless red bulls and random scribbles on whiteboards. Trust me, it’s not always the best choice. Sleep should be another priority, because the mid-day naps WILL hit you hard if you don’t get enough sleep. Can’t wake up early? Don’t pick morning classes, because they might just be the bane of your existence. Can wake up early? Then pick those morning classes and get them done early.

Living comfortably

When you start to prioritize your mind and body, that’s when you truly begin to live comfortably. Good routines will start to sprout from building good habits. Consistency might sound overwhelming (it certainly was for me), but it’s just part of the process. Make time for your forgotten hobbies, because it can become your peace in a new environment, like college.


Going forward with the blog, I want to leave a favorite quote of mine at the end!

“Slow down, you’re doing fine,” (“Vienna” by Billy Joel)

Catch you on the flip side,

Noelle 🌪️

Campus Involvement Explained

Hey ya’ll!

If you read my last post, you already know how much getting involved on campus has shaped my experience at Embry-Riddle. I talked about the organizations I’m part of and will now discuss how each one has helped me grow, connect, and find my place in the ERAU community. But there’s even more to the story.

In this continuation, I’m diving deeper into what these roles actually look like day-to-day — the responsibilities, the lessons, the moments that made everything worth it, and how each involvement has influenced my path in aviation and beyond. Whether you’re thinking about joining a club, taking on a leadership role, or just looking for ways to build your college experience, this follow-up will give you a closer look at what being involved at ERAU truly feels like.


The Avion – Design Editor

Working with The Avion has been one of the most rewarding parts of my involvement on campus. As the Design Editor, I’m responsible for bringing the newspaper to life visually — everything from layout and typography to color choices, graphics, and the overall look of each issue. It’s a role that blends creativity with problem-solving, and no two production weeks are ever the same.

One of my favorite parts of the position is collaborating with the rest of the amazing team. Writers, photographers, section editors, and designers all come together to build something that represents our campus community. I get to take their work and shape it into a final product that’s clean, engaging, and true to the story. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a blank page turn into a polished spread that students pick up around campus.

Being Design Editor has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect — from learning new software and developing a sharper eye for detail to managing deadlines and leading design discussions. It’s taught me how to communicate visually, work under pressure, and make creative decisions that support the message of each article. In this last issue I truly developed my skills in project management and was able to make last minute decisions to get it done on deadline.

Most importantly, The Avion has given me a space to express myself and contribute to something bigger than me. It’s a place where creativity meets community, and I’m proud to help shape what our newspaper looks like each week.

Keep an eye out for the Fall 2025 Issue 2 and a brand new modern website. 🙂


Women’s Ambassadors

Being part of the Women’s Ambassadors team has been one of the most meaningful and supportive opportunities I’ve had at Embry-Riddle. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help prospective students—especially young women in aviation and STEM—feel welcomed, encouraged, and confident as they explore ERAU.

As an ambassador, I get to connect with future Eagles through outreach events, panels, and one-on-one conversations. I get to share my experiences, answer questions, and give an honest look at what life is like here. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a student who arrives unsure of themselves and their place at school and leave with excitement, clarity, and a sense of belonging.

This role has also helped me grow personally and emotionally. It’s strengthened my communication skills, taught me how to lead with empathy, and given me the chance to represent a community that truly matters to me. There’s something special about being part of a group of incredible women dedicated to uplifting others and showing the next generation that they, too, have a place in aviation, aerospace, and everything in-between.

Being a Women’s Ambassador isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about building connections, creating a welcoming environment, and helping students see their potential. And every time I get to be part of someone’s decision to come to ERAU, it reminds me why I joined in the first place.

Most recently I helped group interview the next set of potential women’s ambassadors. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with young women on campus who are involved in so many incredible clubs, organizations, and research fields. I am happy to say that the young women chosen to begin in spring are going to have an incredible journey and make so many students feel at home.

Another happy announcement, I will finally be able to travel to the accepted student receptions in Spring 2026. I am so excited to meet everyone one there. If you happen to read my blog and ever see me on campus or at a reception event feel free to stop by and say hi.


New Student Orientation Team (O-Team)

Joining the New Student Orientation Team has been one of the most energizing and memorable parts of my involvement at Embry-Riddle. Orientation Team sets the tone for every new student’s first days on campus, the family’s first impression, and the chaos of beginning a whole new life. Being part of the team that welcomes them into the ERAU community is something truly special to me.

As an O-Team ambassador, I help guide incoming students through their transition to college life—whether that’s leading small groups, answering questions, running activities, or simply being a friendly face during a week that can feel overwhelming. We’re the first connection many students make at ERAU, and creating a positive, supportive environment is at the heart of everything we do.

What I love most about Orientation Team is the energy. The excitement, the nerves, the campus buzzing with new faces—it all creates an atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else. Getting to be part of that experience, and knowing you helped someone feel welcomed and confident, is incredibly rewarding.

This role has also helped me develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills in ways I didn’t expect. Orientation week moves fast and requires adaptability, patience, and a lot of enthusiasm, but it’s the kind of challenge that brings out the best in you.

Being part of the O-Team feels like being part of a crazy fun family, one that’s dedicated to making sure every new student starts their Embry-Riddle journey on the right foot.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as both an ambassador and specialist on the team. As I begin my final year on the mighty mighty O-Team I am thrilled to get a chance to meet each and every one of you.


Additional Involvement

Beyond my leadership roles, I also stay active in several other organizations that have helped shape my experience at Embry-Riddle. As a general member of groups like the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASASP), and the Aviation Safety Advisory Council, I’ve had the chance to learn from industry professionals, attend meetings and workshops, grow my personal network, and stay connected to the aviation and occupational safety community.

These organizations give me a deeper look into the world of safety, investigation, and professional standards—areas that have become increasingly important to my academic and career goals. Even without holding a leadership position, being part of these groups has been extremely rewarding and helped me propel my career forward.

Each of these memberships adds another layer to my involvement on campus and helps round out my experience as an aviation safety student.


All in All

Getting involved on campus has been a huge part of what has made my time at Embry-Riddle so meaningful. Each organization I’m part of—whether I’m serving in a leadership role or simply showing up and participating—has given me something different to grow from. These experiences have helped me find my community, develop real-world skills, and shape the direction I want to take in safety.

What I’ve learned along the way is that involvement doesn’t have to look a certain way. You don’t need to be a president, chair, or editor to make an impact. Sometimes just being present, learning, and connecting with others is enough to change your whole college experience.

If you’re looking to get more engaged on campus, I hope this breakdown gives you a starting point. Whether you join one club or five ( I don’t recommend 5 when first starting out), take on a leadership role or just explore what interests you, there’s a place for everyone here at Embry-Riddle. And you might be surprised by just how much you grow along the way.

If you ever have any questions about how to get involved on campus and the opportunities available feel free to leave a comment below!

Enjoy this beautiful sunset from campus last week. The evening sky looks as though its been painted.

Girls in Aviation Day 2025

Good day everybody!

As the semester kicks into full gear with classes, group projects, and clubs there have been a lot of cool things happening on and around campus. This past weekend I got to participate in an incredible event that helped inspire the next generation of women in aviation. I couldn’t have done it without this very special group of women.

At the Daytona Beach campus, I’m an active member of the ERAU Women in Aviation Chapter. Our group includes young women from all corners of the aviation industry—ranging from pilots and mechanics to experts in aviation safety, human factors, and more. I’ve been involved with Women in Aviation even before enrolling at Embry-Riddle, and it has continued to be a meaningful part of my journey. Just this past weekend, our chapter volunteered at the Girls in Aviation Day event, hosted by the regional Women in Aviation chapter at SHELTAIR.

At the event, several vendors, flight schools, and organizations came together to show young girls and their families all that aviation has to offer. From the moment they arrived and received their goodie bags to the excitement of reaching the flight line and seeing the aircraft up close, it was clear they were experiencing their dreams taking flight.

This year, I worked the photo booth alongside one of the Flexjet captains. She was incredible to talk to and inspired so many girls by sharing her journey and career in aviation. Nearby, a face painting booth helped imaginations soar with creative designs and lots of glitter.

Here is a picture of me with one of my fellow Aerospace and Occupational students on the left and on my right is the ERAU Daytona Beach Chapter President.

Embry-Riddle was proudly represented with one of our own Cessna 172s. In addition, organizations like FLAP, Women in Aviation, the VR Lab, and the MakerSpace hosted engaging activities, giving the girls hands-on experiences and a glimpse into the diverse and exciting world of aviation.

Girls in Aviation Day was more than just an event—it was a reminder of why representation, mentorship, and community matter so much in this industry. Seeing the excitement on the girls’ faces and watching their curiosity grow into passion was incredibly rewarding.

I’m grateful to be part of a group like Women in Aviation that actively works to create opportunities and spark inspiration in future aviators. As I continue my journey at Embry-Riddle, I look forward to more opportunities like this to give back, connect, and help shape the future of aviation—one dream at a time.

Aerospace and Occupational Safety Facing Changes

Embry-Riddle offers a wide variety of degree programs where you are able to explore your passions and prepare for your future. Recently some programs have been going through a few changes. For example, my degree is changing in many ways. 

In my bio you’ll see that I am majoring in Aerospace and Occupational Safety. I have a year left in this program and I have loved every moment. My classes have prepared me for careers in aviation safety as well as in the occupational and environmental safety field. Having this duality has opened a lot of doors for me when applying for internships. This summer I am working as a Safety and Environmental Intern at SeaWorld. Now I know you may be asking what does that have to do with aviation and the answer is ……… nothing, at least not directly. While I may be working with maintenance, rides, animal, and chemicals, this knowledge and principles of operation can still be applied to the aviation and aerospace industry. Next summer, I will be able to apply the knowledge I’ve gained from SeaWorld to my internship at GE Aerospace as an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), Facilities, and Maintenance intern. So, while my current internship does not deal with aviation the knowledge I gained from it will help my next summer at my dream company. 

I have gotten to do so many incredible things in this program. Here are a few of my favorites!

Starting in the fall of this year the program is changing gears. There will no longer be an occupational safety option for the undergraduate program. The degree will now be Aviation and Aerospace Safety. This new degree will be accredited by the AABI (Aviation Accreditation Board International) instead of the current ABET. Embry-Riddle’s goal with this change is to create a more evolved focus in the aviation safety industry. While this is an understandable change given Embry-Riddle is an aviation focused school it does still have effects. If you are interested in the occupational safety side of things you can do the occupational safety minor. I highly recommend doing this as it will open more opportunities for you. 

This program has a lot of advantages over many other programs offered by Embry-Riddle. First, the program is super small. Most of the time there is only one or two sections for a class. I’ve never had more than 35 people in one of my safety courses. Since there is such a small class size you are able to talk to your professors more frequently if you have questions. I’ve never had to worry about scheduling time to meet with my professors because they are always available to help during office hours. Another great thing about this program is the career opportunities you will have. 

Almost every major company out there has an EHS or safety program. Some of the companies that students in the program are working for are: 

  • Delta 
  • United 
  • American Airlines 
  • Gulfstream 
  • Seaworld 
  • Sierra Nevada Corporation 
  • Atlas Air 
  • NTSB 
  • FAA 
  • GE Aerospace 
  • And this list could go on and on…. 

As you can see the opportunities are endless. Once you find the area that you enjoy the sky is the limit. Take every opportunity that you can. 

During the summer there is a great opportunity to participate in the Safety in the Aegean Study Abroad Program. As of now there should be a trip for Summer 2026. Dr. Szathmary, one of the excellent safety professors at Embry-Riddle, teaches several courses on the trip. Even if you can’t make the study abroad trip, I highly recommend taking her in-person classes during the spring and fall. 

If you have a passion for safety, investigation, and improving the future of the industry, I highly recommend the College of Aviation’s BS in Aviation and Aerospace Safety. This program allows you the flexibility to find where your passion lies and help create a better and more sustainable future. 

For new information about the program feel free to follow this link: https://erau.edu/degrees/bachelor/aviation-aerospace-safety

Surviving the First Week of Classes

The start of the fall semester is just around the corner. In just a few days every student will be back on campus walking, biking, skateboarding, and the occasional running around campus getting to classes and lunch. If you are new to campus your first week may seem a little intimidating and overwhelming and that’s okay. We were all there once too. Throughout my time at Embry-Riddle, I’ve come up with a few tips to help make that first day and week feel like a breeze. 

  1. Walk Your Schedule 
    • Before my first day of classes I always “walk my schedule”. I go through a walk to each classroom in the order I would during a normal school day. This helps you get acquainted with where your classes are and the easiest way to get to the next one. If you are a new student, this will help you from being late on your first day. 
  1. Put Your Schedule in Your Phone 
    • I would not survive without my phone. Not because of social media but because of my calendar. My calendar is my life……… seriously. My whole entire schedule for school, work, and social is in my calendar. I put my class schedule into my calendar with the location, title, and times.  I have my color coded as well as all of the clubs I am a part of. Most of us have our phones on us 24/7 so this is a quick and resourceful method to keep track of your schedule without having to carry around a paper. 
  1. Plan Your Lunchtime 
    • During lunchtime the Student Union can look a little chaotic. If you want Chick-fil-a I suggest going before 11 am and after 12:30 pm. That hour and a half in-between has a consistently long line. If you have the time to wait, go for it. However, if you only have 30-45 minutes in-between classes you most likely will not have time to wait. I personally bring lunch from home because I live off campus, do not have a meal plan, and it’s a lot cheaper. If you aren’t on a meal plan and want Starbucks, I recommend ordering ahead on the app so that by the time you get to the second floor of the union, it is ready for you. 
  1. Find a Quiet Place to Study 
    • Hopefully you don’t have too much homework your first week of classes but there are a few professors who see the first week of classes as just another regular week and give homework on day one. If you would like to have a quieter environment to do homework I recommend the third floor of the union, the library, or to reserve a study room. These are some of the best places on campus that I have found that have reliable Wi-Fi and low noise levels. 
  1. Don’t Wait till the Last Minute 
    • If you know you have an 8 am class do not wait till 7:45 to get up. Nobody wants to be rushed trying to get ready, eat breakfast and get to class. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to class so you can have a stress free week. 

I hope these few tips help make your first week on campus a breeze. Just remember to take it step by step. You are going to do great things! 

Best Study Spots on Campus

We all have those nights where we have an assignment deadline at midnight, or maybe a big exam in the morning, and need to find the perfect spot to study. However, despite spanning two floors, the library can be packed sometimes, and way too loud for some to concentrate on their work. Here are some of the spots besides the library that I find myself studying in.

First floor of the Student Union – one of my favorite places to study at night is in the green booth on the first floor of the student union. Normally after dinner time, the student union is not very packed and noisy, making it the perfect spot to grab at table with some friends and lock in on that assignment you have. The Student Union is open 24 hours for most days of the semester, so there is no limit on how much studying you can do (though I do not recommend pulling an all nighter). There is also the perk of having the late night refueling station right there in case you get hungry and need to take a study break. Finally, these booth are super comfortable and some of them have outlets for your laptops, iPads or phones.

The dorm study rooms – while this one might seem obvious, I feel that it is overlooked by a lot of people. All the dorms across campus have study rooms on each floor, and these were places the I requested to do my homework, especially when I was in speech class and needed to go over a speech I had to give in the morning. These rooms provided a more private area than the student union or library to be able to study, which comes in handy when you’re practicing for a presentation and need a place to concentrate. The study rooms in the student village even got brand new couches and tables last semester, making it an even better study experience when you need to practice your next presentation. 

The Student Leadership Suite (SLS) – Located on the second floor of the student union this is the perfect study space for people during the day and during finals week. The Student Government Association (SGA) provides free coffee and candy to students in the SLS, perfect for a quick snack or caffeine break while you are studying. The suite also has comfy couches and white board tables that can be really helpful when trying to solve math and physics problems. While the suite does close at 8 pm, it is open late during finals week, where the SGA provides free food and energy drinks nightly during as a part of their late night study sessions. It’s the perfect place to study and make sure you stay energized during your daytime studies and finals week.

These are just some of my favorite study spots on campus, and I hope they come in handy whenever you are studying for your next big exam. Let me know if there are any other spots on campus that you love to study at!

Move-In Time: What You Really Need

As we are quickly getting closer to the middle of the summer its time to start focusing on what you need to bring with you to move into the dorms. Now if you start doom scrolling on Instagram and TikTok there will be people telling you to bring this and that. But let me tell you……. half of that stuff you will never use and it will just end up taking space.

A lot of students like to “theme” their rooms and make it something that represents them and their hobbies. During my freshman year my side of the dorm was very pink and girly. My roommate loved sunflowers so her whole side was very floral. We didn’t know we were roomates until we moved in but it ended up workiing out well. If your are able to coordinate with your rooommate(s) it will help ensure that your room isn’t too cluttered. Here’s my list of the items that were crucial to me during my time in the dorms:

Dorm Room Essentials:

  • Mattress topper – trust me your back with thank you
  • Twin XL sheets
  • Mini fridge
    • When your meal plans run out and you want a little snack or ice cream having one of these is a lifesaver.
    • My roommate and I shared a minifridge to save on space.
  • Desk organizer
    • The desk you are given only has one drawer, so if you have a lot of stationary i suggest having one of these.
  • Desk lamp
    • The lighting in some of the rooms is kind of dim so for late night studying this is an essential.
  • Comfy pillow
  • Comfortor
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Personal hygenie items
  • Storage or shelving (make sure its nothing to big)
  • Hangers
  • Blanket (I was always freezing in the dorms….. lol)
  • Snacks
    • There is no such thing as too many snacks
  • Laundry basket with either wheels or a handle
    • The washer and dryers are not in your room unless you are in New Res 3 so I suggest a nice and sturdy laundry basket
  • Laundry detergent and fabric softner

These are just a few of the basics that you are going to want to have. Now decorations are completely up to you but I know I definitely brought way to many. I learned from my fall semester and took alot of it home during the Christmas break.

You can also see a list of things to bring – or not to bring – on the Residence Life page here. I hope this helps a few of the incoming Eagles. See you all in the fall!