Google Questions

This is a master list of questions that you guys have typed into Google to find my page. I’ve seen a lot of these questions and have been able to answer them. The ones I don’t know? I ask around. I will continue to keep track of the questions and add to this list as I go. Hope this helps!

1) Do any of the NAU dorms have air conditioning?
No. Unfortunately, none of the NAU halls have air conditioning.  This is their way of saving energy (Flagstaff is a very very GREEN town; everything is about saving the world). However, fortunately, it’s pretty cold most of the time you’re here. With the exception of summer terms and the first month of school, air conditioning is never really even needed. We do have heaters! However, only controllable by the Resident Hall Director (however, you can change how much heat you want in your room). Suggestions to get around this? Buy a fan. I’m not talking about a little mini desk fan, I’m talking a big guy. It will help not only keep your room cooler during the hot month, but also keep your room more sound proof from the hallways!

2) I’m too scared to meet people in my dorm hall.
Why? Honestly, there’s no reason to be scared! Sure, a lot of people can be immature, but for the most part, people in college are really nice. At NAU, almost everyone opens the door for you. However, if you’re scared, just remember other people are scared as well. It’s a new environment for everyone in your hall (considering you’re a freshman). Suggestions? Keep your door open! This is an invitation for others to stop by and say hello! It might be awkward at first, but you’ll be living with these people for the next 9 months, so it always helps to get to know them. Also, visit rooms with their doors open! It shows that they’re looking to meet new people and get to know the people around them. Overall, don’t be scared. People are nicer than you may think, especially when everyone else is scared as well!

3) Which NAU freshman hall has the most guys?
I think I posed this question before on the Life as a Lumberjack Tumblr. I believe Sechrist may have the most guys, however I’m not sure. It also ranges year-to-year depending on how many/what types of applicants NAU gets. For the most part, NAU is mostly girls. I’ve heard a rumor that it’s about 2-3 girls per guy. For guys, that’s a good thing. For us girls, not so much.

4) What are different ways to rearrange your dorm room?
I am actually planning on making a post about this. I will link to it as soon as I do! For the most part, it ranges on your creativity level.

5) What are the first few weeks of school like?
Well gosh. This certainly depends on your grade level. However, since I’m a freshman, I will answer this as a freshman.
The first few weeks are honestly a little bit intimidating. You’re having to get used to a whole new environment and schedule. The first day of classes are usually a bit hectic. There are always freshmen scattered everywhere with obvious confused looks on their faces. Everyone is either lost or carrying around a map. There are those few (including myself) who know their way around, but for the most part, it’s a confusing mess. The first classes are intimidating. However, the first week is always syllabus week. This means professors spend forever lecturing on what the semester is going to look like. Make sure you hold on to your syllabus’. They have important dates, deadlines, and grade information.
After the first week, you usually fall into a schedule and routine. You know where your classes are, you know how to get back to your hall (I’ve had a freshman ask me where her hall was), and you know what your classes are like, for the most part. This is the routine you’re stuck in for the next semester. You’ll meet new people, either learn to like or hate your teachers, and learn that procrastination is no longer a viable option in college.
It’s fun. The first few weeks are exciting.

6) Can freshmen live in Gillenwater Hall at NAU?
No. Gillenwater is a sophomore hall  located on North campus across from the Union. Freshmen are not allowed to live in it. Freshman halls include Sechrist, Allen, Reilly, Wilson, Cowden, Tinsley, and McConnell.

7) How do I move all my stuff into the dorms at NAU?
Most people use cars & boxes. Once you get to your hall at NAU, you check in, they give you your key and a cart (if you need one) to put your stuff in. Then, bring your stuff to your room, and put it in there.

8) Do you like Northern Arizona University?
Yes. I love NAU. Honestly, I love the atmosphere, the people, and the classes. I like how everything is walking distance and it’s a beautiful walk (with the exception of the large amount of construction that always seems to be going on). I would recommend it above any other Arizona school.

9) How do I tell dorm to be quiet?
Talk to your RA. If your floor is having issues and it’s past quiet hours, they can certainly write them up. Even when it’s not quiet hours, there are courtesy hours, meaning they cannot simply blast their music and scream down the hall. The best thing you can do is talk to your Resident Assistant. They will be able to help you out.

10) If you’re a girl can you have guys roommates at NAU?
No.

Dorm Life – Review

Disclaimer: This is MY personal review of living in dorms. Just because I’ve had a nice time doesn’t mean everyone has. However, this is how I feel about it. If you don’t agree, voice any concerns in the comments. Thank you!

Hello and greetings to incoming freshman considering whether it’s a good idea to get a dorm on campus for your first year in college. I felt it would be nice for you guys, while I’m in the midst of all these room tours (which you should definitely check out), to explain what life in dorms is like and how I feel about living in dorms, especially during freshman year.

I’m about halfway through my first year in college here at Northern Arizona University. I live in Reilly Hall, one of the biggest freshman connection halls on campus. Each floor has about 100 people living on it. This means 100 girls all sharing the same 5 toilets, 7 showers, and 2 sinks. Yeah. Sounds like hell at first.

Honestly, it’s really not as bad as it sounds. I’m almost through my first semester and I’ve never had to fight over a toilet or shower. It really does not feel like there are that many girls living here. Also, the hallways really aren’t very loud. There are some halls (i.e. Cowden) that have 24 hour quiet hours. Reilly doesn’t, but it’s still pretty quiet for the most part.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard the horror stories of hearing neighbors during their “special time” with their significant other through “paper-thin” walls. Don’t forget those rumors of neighbors blasting rap or country at the highest level on a Tuesday night. However, I haven’t ever had an issue with this. My roommate and I keep a fan on all the time, mostly to keep it quieter in our room (doesn’t seem to make sense until you try sleeping and hear people out in the halls having a grand ‘ole time). We’ve never had any issues with our neighbors, and for the most part, we all stay friendly and keep to each other.

There are people that have plenty of issues with their roommates. I’ve heard countless stories of, “my roommate does this,” and, “my roommate does that.” Honestly, my roommate and I got really lucky with each other. We get along so well and have never fought. As long as you don’t mind sharing your space and having someone around a lot, issues with roommates should happen less often. Also, if you do happen to have issues with your roommate, your Resident Assistant is there for help, tips, and even to help straighten things out between the two of you.

I can’t promise you there won’t be loud, rowdy neighbors, crazy roommates, the horrible nightmare of being “sexiled” (forced to stay out of your own room because your roommate is making love with someone), or even the occasional drunk partier stumbling into your room in the middle of the night, thinking it’s her room (it’s happened to my brother). However, I can promise you that it will be an experience of a lifetime. You meet new people, you’re close to classes, you’ll have fun activities with your crazy RA (Resident Assistant), and have that amazing college life experience that students brag about.

If I had the choice again between redoing freshman year in a residence hall (Dorm) or apartment, I would choose residence hall in a split second. Don’t miss out on this chance of a lifetime. When are you ever going to be able to have this experience again? Never. So live it up, get those crazy stories to tell your kids when you’re older and married, and enjoy life as a college student. I know I am.

-Ashley

McKay Village Tour

One of many types of apartments offered at McKay ranging from 2-4 students

McKay Village is a variety of apartments for upperclassmen. The types of apartments range from 2-4 students, depending on which one you receive. McKay is only available for students with 60+ credits (Juniors, Seniors, Graduates). It is located on Central Campus right next to Reilly Hall on University Dr.

Each bedroom offers a double bed, a three-drawer desk, a bookshelf, a closet, a ceiling fan, 4 outlets, and one window.

Non-university lofts are not allowed in the residence halls.

The living room offers 5 outlets, a couch, a coffee table, end tables, a window, and a ceiling fan.

In the bathroom (there are 2 in a 4-person apartment), there is one shower/tub, exterior sinks, a toilet, a vanity with three drawers, one outlet, and a mirror with an overhead light.

There is also a large kitchen which offers a fridge, gas stove, microwave, dishwasher, a pantry, five upper cabinets, five lower cabinets with drawers, a ceiling light, and five outlets.

The apartment also offers a hallway with a closet as well as a washer and dryer.

Another feature of the kitchen is it’s lovely breakfast bar with three stools.

This is a fully-furnished apartment. It offers a telephone jack and ethernet hookups. It’s open year-round and also has a convenience store and a Community center and game & exercise room.

Disclaimer: All the lamps shown in the room pictures are bought/brought from home, as well as the white 3-drawer bedside table thing.

Information and pictures thanks to Kristina G. and Northern Arizona University’s webpage.

Interested in sending in pictures of your place? Send them in to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com!

Good News – Construction

The pathway between Allen Hall and The Union is now open!

We can all now go back to our regular routined walk to classes for the next 3 weeks.

I know I’m loving it!

-Ashley

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving break is coming to an end this Sunday afternoon as we continue to finish our last 3 weeks of the Fall 2011 semester.

I hope every one of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving and were able to go home! I came back to campus last night, and it was like a ghost town! There was no one here, it was almost creepy.

Starting tomorrow, students will be continuing the regular class schedules until next week; Reading week. Starting next Monday, students will be studying like crazy for finals beginning the following week. However, once those are done, we can look forward to a month off for Christmas break!

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, have you decorated your place yet? Where are you going for Christmas this year?

I’m going to be posting a tour of McKay Village shortly – look for it!

– Ashley

Pine Ridge Village Tour

Pine Ridge Village (South Campus) offers full-sized apartments for Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate students (60+ credits). They are 4-to-a-room and each person gets their own private bedroom.

There are five outlets in each bedroom. Some rooms have two windows, and some have one. Each room comes with a desk and chair, a closet, a full-sized bed, and two bedside tables. Each room also has a heater which can only be used when the RHD turns it on.

These apartments are fully furnished. All utilities included in rent are: Electricity, Gas, Water, Sewer, Trash, Cable TV, High-speed wireless and wired internet, and local phone service.

This is an example of one of the bathrooms.

Outside the main part of bathroom there’s a mirror, three small drawers, and one bathroom cabinet.

In the bathroom there is a toilet, shower (with two shelves opposite each other), and one tower hanger.

In the living room there is a tv holder, a table, a side table, a large couch, and a love seat. Other features of the apartment include a stackable washer and dryer in laundry room with cabinets, bookshelf, breakfast bar with stools, as well as a fully-furnished kitchen.

In the kitchen there is a table with four chairs, several cabinets, a gas stove (four), a sink, and a full size refrigerator.

Full-sized fridge near entrance to apartment.

Table and chairs are included.

Thanks to Roxanne for the pictures and some of the information. Thanks to NAU for the floor plan and other information.

For more, visit NAU’s Pine Ridge Page.

Remember, if you’d like to help me out by submitting pictures of your residence hall, just send them to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com and I will put them up within the week.

Wilson Hall Room Tour (Double)

Wilson Hall is a coed hall with coed floors that houses 422 students. Every room in Wilson is a double. This Hall is located directly on central campus and is one of the three main buildings that make up the North Quad (the other two being Allen Hall and Aspen Crossing). The hall itself offers community bathrooms, community kitchens, community laundry rooms, a computer lab, and an exercise room. It is one of the halls a part of the Freshman Connections program.

Wilson’s rooms offers 2 loftable/bunkable beds (Yes, these can be lofted, as shown in picture above), a fridge, 2 wardrobes (different than the built-in closets in halls like Reilly), 2 chairs, 2 desks, 2 dressers, a sink, 3 outlets, a trash can, a recycle bin, a wall-mounted mirror above the sink, overhead shelves, 2 windows with vertical blinds, a telephone jack, and 2 ethernet hookups.

Beds are all XL Twin size, however not all halls allow lofting of the beds. However, Wilson’s beds are able to and allowed to be lofted in order to easily fit a desk, dresser, and anything else underneath in order to save space.

Although the rooms are a bit bigger than other Freshman Connection rooms, there are wardrobe-style closets instead of built-in closets. However, there looks to be quite a bit of storage space nonetheless.

The one sink in the room is located right next to the door in all of the rooms.

All furniture included in the dorm is brand new as of the summer of 2011.

Here are a few more pictures:

Thanks to Sarah M. for the pictures and NAU for the information.

Want to be a part of this? Email any photos of YOUR room to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com and I will write up a post about it!

Reilly Hall Room Tour (Triple)

I’ve done post on Reilly’s usual double-room, however a lot of prospective freshmen are curious as to what a triple room would look like. So, here is a post showing you guys what these rooms could look like.

Don’t let the above picture fool you. Most rooms in Reilly don’t allow lofted beds, however since this is a triple room and in need of more space, these rooms have a lofted bed and the two bunkable beds that come with double rooms. With a lofted bed, there is more space to put the extra desk and dresser, as also shown above.

If you’d like more information about Reilly Hall, check out my post on the double rooms.

The desk area is mostly the same as a double room, however there is less room to move around and rearrange the furniture given to you.

Closet space is the same as a double room, unfortunately. The main difference is the extra bed, dresser, desk, and not to mention the extra $1000 off of your housing fees.

Hope this helped!

Remember, if you’re willing to submit your residence hall, email photos and any information you might know to northernazcollegelife@gmail.com

Thanks to Lauren for the pictures.

Twitter and Snow

Hey guys,

So I’ve got some news for you! I just made a Twitter account for this website. That way, you all can keep up with any random NAU/Flagstaff related thoughts I may have as well as anything else I decide to retweet or write about. It’ll be quite great, I can tell you that right now.  So, be sure to follow @nazclife for your small daily dose of Northern Arizona in the eyes of a college student. 🙂 I also have a widget on the left side of the page for you guys to stalk my tweets as well.

Now, in case you guys are utterly blind and have yet to slip, this last weekend was full of snow, snow, and more snow. A lot of it has melted today and the weather has been a lot nicer, however don’t expect that for too much longer. We’re supposed to be getting another snow storm this weekend (one moment while I tweet that, my friends)! It should be pretty exciting. So, in honor of this epidemic, I have created  a new poll. Do you think the snow is good or bad?? Let me know!

I will post up pictures (hopefully) in a little bit. For now, while my roommate and I head over to the Health and Learning Center for a good workout, take a look at the pictures on Life as a Lumberjack – I know there were many submissions on there!

Keep in mind I’m also still searching for volunteers for room tours. Make sure to contact me! Thanks!

 

Here are some words of advice concerning snow by my RA.

Hey all! As the weather changes, here are some things to keep in mind:

1) Snowball fights are against the law in the city of Flagstaff. I know, I know, it’s a little ridiculous, but those things hurt! If you’re going to have a snowball fight, perhaps avoid doing so in front law officials. Also, please never throw snowballs at moving cars- it’s incredibly dangerous!

2) You cannot bring large amounts of snow into the building. This includes storing snowballs in your freezer or throwing snow at someone in their room. This causes water damage and can be dangerous.

3) Please try to shake off as much snow as possible *before* entering Reilly, or any other building. For tips on personal snow removal, see me or Katie (we have a lot of experience with it!)

4) The roads are very scary now! Please please please please please please be careful when driving this winter.

5) Finally, please bundle up my darlings! Layers are key to a warm, healthy winter season.

University: First week of class vs. Last week of class

University: First week of class vs. Last week of class.

For you fellow college students, we all know too well that this is true. It’s not even the last week of the semester yet, but the work is definitely piling up!