When you think about going away to college, you probably envision spirited debates in a classroom. You might think of meeting new friends and having amazing experiences together. You probably see yourself pulling all-nighters in the library cramming for a big exam. What you likely do not consider is doing laundry. It may seem like an odd thing to lump together with the traditional visions of college life, but it certainly has its place. College is an experience that will help you grow as a person; it will make you more independent. Part of this process is doing things for yourself that you may never have had to do. Doing your laundry, as mundane as it sounds, is part of going to college.
Whether you’re living on or off campus, you are most likely going to have battle the Laundromat. There are only so many washing and drying machines available, so it is a good idea to choose an off time to do your laundry. Maybe you have free time in the middle of the day. This is a good time as most students try to get it done first thing in the morning or, especially, at night. It is so disappointing when you go to do your wash and you wind up waiting in line. The absolute worst time to try to do laundry is Sunday afternoon and night. Everyone is coming off the weekend and has a pile of dirty clothes they want to get ready for the week ahead. Pick your spots wisely.
Find something to occupy your time while you are waiting for your loads to finish. Try not to leave your laundry unattended. If your laundry room doesn’t have a television, then bring some school work to finish. Avoid the temptation to drop your load in the washer and go back to your room. As much as you want to trust your peers that nothing would happen, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It usually takes about two hours to finish washing and drying your clothes, so plan ahead.
Respect the other people doing their loads. There are probably a small number of machines to accommodate a large population. Try not to take up more than two washing machines at a time if avoidable. You can usually fit two wash loads in the same dryer. Just keep in mind how awful it was for you to wait for a machine to free up and return the favor. Look at you – you’re growing up and learning a skill that you will need the rest of your life.
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