Learning certain skills you may have taken for granted growing up can make living in the dorm easier. Unless you will be heading home every weekend, learn how to do laundry. Lugging laundry home can be a chore and makes parents less happy to see you since you are taking work home for them. You should also open a checking account and learn to write checks and balance your checkbook if you haven't already. You need to be able to pay unexpected expenses immediately, but overdraft fees add up quickly, so understanding how to balance your account can save a lot of money.
Visit the dorms ahead of time so you know how much space you have and pack accordingly. During fall break, take lighter clothes used during the summer home and exchange them for heavy winter coats to save space. Replace cumbersome items with smaller portable choices or objects that have multiple functions. For instance, instead of taking a stereo, use itunes on your laptop. Check the list of allowed products so you don't waste time, space and money hauling things like toasters, hotplates and portable pizza cookers that may be against the rules to have in the dorms.
Dorms can be difficult places to study because of the noise level. If you find your room too busy or loud, search for another place on campus that allows you to focus on school work. For instance, libraries typically have quiet areas for study. If you know you need silence to concentrate and need to work in your dorm room late at night or early in the morning when other campus buildings may not be open, purchase a pair of noise canceling headphones.
Living with a roommate may cause difficulties for some students, especially those who have never shared space with a sibling. Be considerate. Use headphones when listening to music, television or online programming to reduce noise and ask roommates to do the same. Agree on compromises regarding visitors, such as limiting guests after a certain time on weeknights. Clean up after yourself by keeping your dirty clothes in a hamper, making your bed and taking out the trash daily.