5 Places to Decorate a Dorm (On a Budget)

by Kahla McKinnie

SENIORS!!! The time has come; the fated day is upon us, for those who are going to college we are being presented with the most pressing of tasks: decorating our dorm room. Now i don’t know about you but with the price of college constantly rising the last thing I want to do is pay an arm and a leg for decorations; so here are five helpful tips on how to decorate your dorm for less (with added disclaimers).

No.1- Amazon. Now this answer should come to no surprise. I mean they have everything from A-Z with affordable prices. You can easily make a list to send out to family, friends, loved ones, teachers, or anybody who'd be willing to pay and share it with them. (Pro tip: for your college registry list to loved ones ask for Amazon, Walmart, and Target gift cards and then ask for money too :))

No.2-Walmart. Now this is going to be your bestfriend. Unlike Amazon you can easily make a store run here without having to pay for shipping. The little stuff such as your washcloths, trash cans, bedsheets, etc. can easily be picked up from here at a fairly reasonable price (please stay away from Target if you truly value your pockets just saying).

No.3- DIY. Now some DIYs can be costly but others not so much. You can easily make a collage/photo wall by printing out your favorite images and simply sticking it to your wall with tape. To give it that extra razzle dazzle go back in and outline it with washi tape. Want a chalkboard wall but can’t use paint? No worries you can easily make your own by getting a chalkboard wallpaper. These are just a few ideas so this option is going to require a little more creativity with the first two, but never fret because this can be used as a binding experience with your new room/hall mates.

No.4-Make lists. This one is to simply make your life a whole lot easier. It’s just like going grocery shopping when you’re hungry and don’t have a list, it’s a nightmare waiting to happen. Everything you see that looks slightly edible is going to be shoved in the basket and before you know it you spent all this money on food you might not even eat. This same concept applies to shopping. How many times have you been somewhere and unnecessarily spent your money? Exactly. By creating a list this can help organize your thoughts and it can further help you pinpoint where to find the cheapest options, because the goal is to be cute but affordable.

Last but not least

No.5- Have fun. I know all of this can be slightly stressful or confusing but relax. You did it. You came this far and dorm room shopping is not going to kill you. Make sure to get with your roommate to see if you guys are doing a share theme and have fun. Go on a Walmart run with your new friends and then after you guys can grab a bite to eat at the CAF. Any experience(for the most part) can be turned into something good, it all depends on how you look at it. So have fun and best of wishes with decorating your dorm rooms!!!

-Kahla

10 Spring Cleaning Hacks

1. Create a checklist of the cleaning that you are doing.

2. Clean when you feel it’s the right time for you.

3. Take your time and do it the way you want it done the first time.

4. Use a magic eraser to get rid of any stubborn scuff marks.

5. Use Clorox wipes on surfaces to disinfect them.

6. Spray your house with a spray you like to give it a fresh and clean scent.

7. Use Windex on glass surfaces to give them a nice shine.

8. Use a Swiffer duster to dust off furniture and many other surfaces.

9. Play some music while cleaning to keep you focused.

10. Focus on one room at a time.

P.S. Have fun!

An Eventful Season

by Kyndal Gladney

When you think about big events in April and May you probably think of Easter, Earth Day, Cinco de Mayo, or Mother’s Day. Which is understandable since most big corporations advertise their products for the occasion using flashy advertisements. There is nothing wrong with advertising your products, but they overshadow the less well-known events that occur when doing it. Most of you probably had no clue that there is a wide range of events that occur during these two months. So, let's talk about it.

April 23 is National Lover’s Day. This day gives people the opportunity to spoil their lover with gifts and affection. There is no definitive origin of this day, but some say that it came from Saint George’s Day. Saint George’s Day, which also occurs on April 23rd, is celebrated in Europe by taking the time to honor both love and literature. According to NATIONAL LOVER'S DAY - April 23, 2022 - National Today, Saint George, after whom the day is named, received this official honor from the Christian Church for having lived in a holy way. On April 29th-May 2 the Desert Heart festival occurs. According to Desert Hearts 2022 in Washington, DC | Everfest, Desert Heart throws an annual gathering every spring in the remote high desert – surrounded by hills and sheltered woods of the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Southern California – and a one-day City Hearts gathering in the heart of downtown Los Angeles every fall. Desert Hearts began as a 300-person get-together in 2012. Its founders subscribe to and foster an environment that cares more about community than profit margins. Not only are its followers escaping their everyday lives, but also the conditions of today’s larger festivals. City Hearts, which was added in 2017, aims to bring the alternative festival scene into an urban environment to expose more people to the overarching culture. City Hearts goes a step further by encouraging attendees to make a difference in the community and get involved with their new charity division called Helping Hearts, which partners with the Downtown LA Mission. Not only would you be having fun at the festival, but you would also be able to help their community by getting involved with this charity if you chose to. These are just of many events that happen during April, so what about May?

On May 7 International Astronomy Day occurs. International Astronomy Day was started by Doug Berger, who at the time was the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. He intended to get people in urban areas interested in astronomy. To do this, he set up telescopes that people could use to enjoy gazing at space. Since then, the event has gained popularity and the support of organizations such as educational institutions, space agencies, and museums. To celebrate the day people usually go to planetariums, take their telescope outside of the city, and watch Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” documentary series. May 20th-21st is the Memphis Greek Festival. This festival last for two days and is used to celebrate Greek heritage and culture. Guests can enjoy savory Greek entrees, salads, baked goods, and other cuisine as they listen to traditional music and join in the dancing. They have church sanctuary tours, games for kids, a performance from an Athenian dance troupe, and the Kostas Kastanis Band play. So, there is fun for everyone.

There are other events that happen during these two months, but I wanted to highlight these four. I think these events are viable alternative events you can celebrate. You don’t have to celebrate these. Whether you decide to spend time with your family, lover, or yourself, I hope knowing about these allows you to find more things to experience and enjoy in your life.