The Residential Commons at Southern Methodist University are more than just a standard residence for students attending college; they’re a key part of the SMU experience.
As every student, barring personal exceptions, is required to spend at least two years living on campus, the importance of each student’s time in the Residential Commons shouldn’t be ignored.
There’s plenty to be excited about but one of the most important aspects is the preparation involved.
The items on this list should also be found in just about every room on campus.
Shower shoes
One of the most overlooked situations in each residential commons is the bathroom. If you’re one of the lucky few that get to enjoy suite-style living and only shares that shower with a few other people, you might not need to pay too much attention here. But if you find yourself showering down the hall amongst the rest of your neighbors, you’ll want to listen up. A pair of flip flops, sandals, or any other kind of waterproof item that separates your foot from the ground is a must have. There are a whole lot of feet that step around on that floor and you don’t want to be one of them.
Water filter
Every residential commons has a drinking fountain somewhere inside it but when you wake up in the middle of the night in need of some cool refreshing water, you won’t want to make the journey around the building. It’s much better to just be able to pour a glass of water from your bedside and turn right back over.
Storage system
This is pretty broad but absolutely necessary. Whether it’s some bins under the bed or a hanging shelf in the closet, maximizing space is huge. As nice as SMU has made its residential commons, they aren’t the largest in the world and you’re most likely sharing the space with at least one other person. There’s not that much space for a lot of stuff so finding ways to fit it all is vital.
Steam cleaner
Clothes get wrinkled. Fast. It’s just a fact. When you’re on the go and you need a nice shirt but all you have is a wrinkled button down, there’s nothing better than bringing out a little steamer that irons out that shirt in a minute. Plus when people find out you have one you’ll find yourself with a few more friends than before.
Fan
It’s Texas, and, in case you didn’t know, it gets hot here. Thankfully the air conditioning systems are built to withstand the blazing heat but sometimes the Dallas sun beats down a little too much and having a bedside fan you can aim right into your face is a blessing. Day or night, the heat abounds and being prepared with a cool air device should be a top priority for every student across campus.
