back to HOL | February 07, 2012
With the new year starting up once again, students are moving back into schools and claiming (or being assigned) dorm rooms. For many students, dorm rooms are exciting – you meet new friends or reconnect with old ones, you have your own sanctuary, and the dorm room becomes your second bedroom. That being said, what exactly can you do to a dorm to make it more like home?
We’ve all had them; roommates who simply cross the line when it comes to decorating their part of the dorm. Whether you knew (or were) the kid with the stuffed animals, the arbitrary and colourful odds and ends, or the strange collection of utensils, we all know someone whose decoration is just out of this world. We know that how you decorate your part of the dorm is how others will perceive you, and that one flaw could risk your whole reputation. Dorm decoration is hit-or-miss sometimes! But don’t worry, students. The Herald is here to help.
Do:
- Have an appropriate place for your pet to stay (if they’re allowed to stay with you). Your roommates don’t want your cat’s fur all over their bed, nor do they want to see the strange contraption of a “home” you built for your toad.
- Use a balanced amount of decorations. Too many decorations could leave people thinking you’re scatterbrained, and too few could lead your peers to thinking you’re a secretive or cold person.
- Include your favorite color or some interesting things you may have picked up in your lifetime. These can lead to some exciting conversations, whether you’re trying to get to know a new person or simply trying to bond with friends.
- Show some school spirit. Others will often look up to people who have pride in who they are, and the school you attend is part of you. Pride over something you have in common can really bring people together.
- Keep your area and decorations tidy. A little bit of messiness is perfectly acceptable, but if you let your part of the dorm become as wacky as some of your potions’ assignments, you’ll regret it.
- Make sure you follow all school rules when decorating your dorm. You don’t want to be in trouble for expressing yourself!
Don’t:
- Bring your whole room with you. Having too many suitcases, objects, or decorations will make others think you’re too attached to your home or you’re high maintenance, a quality which isn’t often desirable in friends.
- Have bright colored or frightening objects littering your part of the room. No one wants to be kept up at night with nightmares or irritations!
- Have anything fragile or noisy. Your fragile things could get knocked over and broken, which is not only disturbing in the night but dangerous and possibly heartbreaking!
- Bring anything too personal. You’ll run the risk of losing it, having it destroyed, or being embarrassed if someone doesn’t like it.
- Decorate your dorm with anything that requires or produces flames! This is NEVER a good idea!
- Fake it! Decorate your space with things that you truly enjoy, not with what you think others would appreciate. Remember that ultimately this is YOUR space, and although you want to make this ride as smooth as possible, don’t lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of dorm life!
Ivelisse Ada | November 29, 2011 | 0 Comments
Keeps your money safer than a dragon's egg!
(The Herald is not responsible for the above-named shop keeping its promises. If you are not given the offer shown in the advert, bring it up with the appropriate establishment, not us. Thanks - Ed.)
Ivelisse Ada | November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
She'd almost got used to darkness, but this was worse than simply the lack of light. There had always been hope before, hope that there would soon be light again, but now even that hope seemed extinguished. And kneeling there in the cold dark room, holding the broken body of her friend hard against her, Katie Lynwood refused to cry. He would never have cried, and nor would she. Whatever h... read more
September 01, 2008 | 5 Comments
The scream was almost deafening – the steam whistle was shriller than Katie could have expected as the train rushed into the tunnel and the scenery outside the windows vanished from view, replaced by empty blackness. She winced against the noise of the whistle and was grateful when it ended a few seconds later. All part of the experience, she thought, after all other than the Hogwarts Express,... read more
September 03, 2008 | 2 Comments
"Stop what?" said a voice, a boy's voice from somewhere behind her. "Is there someone in here?" Katie looked round the edge of the stack she was behind, up the length of the carriage. At the far end, near where she was originally sitting, were two boys in Hogwarts robes. "Yes there is someone in here," she said in a deliberately impatient voice, "and you know full well there is someon... read more
September 11, 2008 | 1 Comments
Good choice thought Katie looking with sudden alarm at the new arrivals. Two more Hogwarts pupils and almost certainly the ones that Alex and Sullivan were hiding from since they were wearing Slytherin robes and sour expressions. One of them was a heavy set bruiser with thick features and bunched fists. The other was not so powerful looking, with neatly arranged black hair and refined fe... read more
September 19, 2008 | 0 Comments
Half an hour later the Hogwarts Express slowed to a gentle hissing stop in Hogsmeade Station and Katie, even from her position in the luggage van, could hear the excited chatter and buzz of the pupils grabbing their hand baggage and filling the corridors ready to disgorge themselves onto the quaint old platform. She took a deep breath, really not wanting to get caught up in that crowd, but k... read more
October 11, 2008 | 1 Comments
The town of Hogsmeade was in a state of commotion this past week, as town elder and local Seer Doreen Crumpleton was taken into custody by wizarding police for alleged misuse of Love Potions. The allegations are coming from three young men, the Parkle brothers. They reported to the Department o... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
It has been a long time now since anyone’s heard of Gilderoy Lockhart’s name, a once famous wizard who has allegedly taken down so many dark creatures on his own and published numerous books covering his many adventures (to name a few: Magical Me, Vacation With Vampires, Travel With Trolls, Holi... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
All types of robes for all your needs!
(The Herald is not responsible for the above-named shop keeping its promises. If you are not given the offer shown in the advert, bring it up with the appropriate establishment, not ... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Hogsmeade is an all-wizarding village in Scotland. In fact, it is the only all-wizarding community in all of Great Britain. It is located near the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Due to its geographic location, many students visit the place in weekends for buying some needed things, drin... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Selling the best in sweets for as long as we can remember!
(The Herald is not responsible for the above-named shop keeping its promises. If you are not given the offer shown in the advert... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Ministry looks into dangerous contents of popular drink Ask any student in Hogsmeade about their favourite pastime, and chances are, a large number would cite drinking a frothy butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks at the top of their list. Butterbeer is served hot or cold to any student f... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Where books and quidditch come together.
(The Herald is not responsible for the above-named shop keeping its promises. If you are not given the offer shown in the advert, ... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Over the summer holidays while the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were enjoying chocolate frogs and a break from homework, a curious muggle was exploring Hogwarts. This muggle must’ve been extremely stupid or extremely brave because he was undaunted by the sign on the “ru... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Where we'll meet all your ice cream needs!
(The Herald is not responsible for the above-named shop keeping its promises. If you are not given the ... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Last year, "Never Alone Again" was the best-selling novel for months. The author of the novel was Selene Wittburn from Daleview. It was her first full-lenght novel and she could never dream of the success it had. Now, eight months later, she releases her second novel. I have met her and we talk... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments
Several business owners in Hogsmeade complained yesterday about the use of leprechaun gold in buying their products and services that resulted to great losses for each owner. The owners were furious after they saw the gold vanished into nothing, leaving their earnings for the day empty. Accor... read more
November 27, 2011 | 0 Comments