Tips and Tricks for Chatham Living
You’re all moved in and ready for the next challenge which, in a lot of ways, is just figuring out how to thrive in your new environment. Living in a Chatham dorm comes with a lot of perks—one-of-a-kind bedrooms, quick walking distance to class—but it also comes with some ordinary first year challenges: adjusting to moving away from home, finding new friends, learning how to build a laundry slot into your schedule, and more. In order to help, we’ve compiled this list of tips and tricks for maximizing fun and efficiency in your new Chatham lifestyle. Check it out below (and please note that these pictures were taken pre-COVID a.k.a. add a mask and social distancing to all your first-year fun):
Find a grocery routine that works
Minimizing your spending while maximizing your food supply takes trial and error. Within walking and driving distance of Chatham, you’ll find access to plenty of major grocery stores: Aldi, Giant Eagle, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and more. The Eastside shuttle conveniently runs to Giant Eagle & Target in East Liberty. If you’re in a pinch, stores like Rite Aid, CVS, and Target offer plenty of grocery staples. We recommend trying a few grocery stores to see what makes sense for your budget and dietary needs. Always come prepared with a list for the week in mind and remember, food is fuel—choose meals that will help you stay healthy and energized.
Prioritize rest & relaxation
Adjusting to a new home and a new routine means that you may find yourself a little more tired and/or anxious than usual. It’s crucial that you build some time to recuperate throughout your day and plenty of time to get a healthy eight hours at night. College kids have a reputation for burning the candle at both ends but that only leads to burning out. Make the most of your downtime, especially if that means taking a power nap or finding a cute dog to pet.
Plan ahead
Plan your week in advance—select a laundry slot that doesn’t keep you up all night, schedule some time in the JKM Library (you can get an individual study room if you prefer), text your friends and ask when would be a good time to explore the city. Leave room for spontaneity, adventure, and Netflix.
Attend campus events (in person or virtually)
Meeting new people on campus comes more easily if you attend campus events. Whether they’re virtual or in-person, you never know where you could run into your new best friend, the study buddy of your dreams, or a friendly face to chat with in the dining hall. Campus events also make great networking opportunities, extracurricular explorations, and stress relievers. If you’re in search of some new ways to have fun, give them a try.
Make your room your own
Add special touches to your room to make you feel at home: your favorite art, a letter from your childhood best friend, pictures of those you love. Make it a social affair and invite a new friend over for a collage night where you each create your own art installations to hang in your rooms. Also, be sure to prioritize your comfort. Utilize tools like fans, mattress toppers, lamps, and more to better suit your space to your needs.
Venture off campus
A major part of living at Chatham is getting acquainted with Pittsburgh. First things first, take a walk—navigate to Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, or East Liberty to pick up some delightful take out, explore the shops, or set up a Carnegie Library card. Recruit a friend to figure out the Port Authority buses with you and be sure to bring your student ID, which allows you to ride the bus for free. Don’t just explore tourist landmarks like the museums and the Incline; be sure to ask faculty, staff, and local students for their favorite hidden gems.
Get okay with the learning curve
Sometimes making a healthy adjustment to college just means accepting that not everything is easy on the first, second, or sometimes third try. You may need to ask for more help than you expected, but it’s important to remember that asking for help is a crucial and undervalued life skill. Even the most high-achieving seniors were first years once—be patient with yourself and make the most of this transition.
If you need some extra help this semester, we encourage you to make an appointment with the Counseling Center and/or the Office of Academic and Accessibility Resources.
