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Month: September 2022

Tips for living with dorm mates

Posted on by Imraan

Sharing your space with another, whether they are a long-time friend or a new one, can be difficult at times. However, the foundation of successful cohabitation is all about merging personalities, cultures, and upbringings to create a new way that works for everyone. 

If you’re having a little trouble adapting to a new way of living, try these tips for living with dorm mates. 

Set rules early on 

Everyone has their bad habits, whether it’s leaving wet towels on the floor or dishes in the sink. By establishing house ground rules early on and nipping bad habits in the bud, you can avoid conflict and have a much more pleasant living experience from the start. 

Get to know each other 

Your dorm mate is someone that you’ll be sharing a living space with for the next several months at least, so getting to know them should be a priority. Not only can it make living in tight quarters more bearable, but you may end up with a lifelong friend. 

Respect each other’s belongings 

Respecting your dorm mate’s belongings will go a long way in creating a positive living environment and is the easiest way to avoid unnecessary conflict. So next time you’re tempted to borrow their clothes, laptop or toothpaste, remember to ask first! 

Compromise where you can 

You can’t have it your way all the time. This may be a tough pill to swallow, especially if you’re a neat freak and your dorm mate definitely is not, but learning to compromise on minor issues is vital to building a healthy living environment. Learning to compromise can also help you build strong personal and professional relationships down the line. 

Although you can’t use Wigwam’s student self storage solutions to store a messy dorm mate, you can use it to create more space for easier living. If you’re ready to store your excess dorm room items, give us a call on 01608 656 300 or request an obligation-free quote online. 

Best apps for university students

Posted on by Imraan

One of the best parts of university life is the opportunity to grow as you try new things. If you’re knee-deep in academics and starting to feel just a little overwhelmed by new responsibilities, we can help.  

To help you stay focused and avoid mid-semester burnout, we’ve listed some of the best apps for university students. From easy referencing to ambient noise to help you study better, we’ve got you covered. 

RefMe 

If you hate remembering the differences in citation methods, this app is for you. After scanning the book barcode, RefMe will create your chosen citation method from over 7500 citation styles and save the reference, helping you cite, reference and create bibliographies like a pro. 

Noisli 

Noisli is a gift for students who struggle with noise distraction. Offering a wide range of ambient sounds, including brown noise for enhanced focus, students can create a custom ambient soundtrack to help them focus, relax and even sleep better.  

Evernote 

Evernote is perfect for enhancing task management and note-taking, helping to keep your thoughts organised. Able to capture a note in any format, Evernote can also save product/service reviews and take pictures of receipts or handwritten notes. 

Dragon Dictation 

Do you do your best thinking out loud? This app allows you to dictate copy for as long as necessary. Using voice recognition software, you can create and edit documents of any length and then either save or email them to yourself or others when you’re ready.  

Timetable 

The perfect digital planner, Timetable (or Class Timetable for iOS) is a great way to plan your day and keep track of your many upcoming assignment deadlines. Say goodbye to an overcrowded brain and hello to the new productive and organised you! 

All apps are available on Android and iOS 

An uncluttered space is vital to studying better. If you need extra space, turn to Wigwam. With affordable Oxfordshire student storage units available in a wide range of sizes, you can store as much or as little as you need with ease. Give us a call on 01608 656 300 to learn more. 

How to deep clean your kitchen 

Posted on by Imraan

Many people give their kitchen a simple clean and wipe down as a daily chore, but how often do you move your fridge to clean under it? The kitchen is the centre of any home. It’s where we cook our meals, store our food and socialize, making it an essential space to keep clean and organised.  

If you’re ready to clean like the royal family is coming over, try these tips to deep clean your kitchen. 

Declutter 

Many people think of decluttering as an optional step in the cleaning process, but when it comes to the kitchen, it is essential. A cluttered countertop or cupboard can become a breeding ground for bacteria, and the more clutter there is, the harder it is to clean effectively. In addition, decluttering gives you a chance to get rid of expired food, outdated appliances, and other items that don’t belong in the kitchen. 

Time to scrub 

Work through one cupboard or drawer at a time to prevent becoming overwhelmed. Remove everything and give each space a thorough scrubbing to remove dirt, packed dust or food debris. Don’t forget about the corners and backs of the cupboards and drawers. 

Tackle the fridge 

First, remove everything from the fridge and freezer, tossing any expired or frostbitten items. Next, remove the shelves and drawers to give them a good scrub with warm soapy water. Once you’ve finished cleaning, be sure to dry the surfaces completely before returning any food items. 

The dusting begins 

Dust gets everywhere, so remember to dust the top of your fridge, ceiling fan, cupboards, light fixtures, and items packed way in the back. Dust accumulates quickly and becomes sticky over time, so it’s best to give items a second wipe down with a slightly damp microfibre cloth to collect the dust and avoid it resettling. 

Suck it up 

After wiping out dirt and debris, your floor may be a mess. Bring out the vacuum and move large appliances such as the fridge (best to do it while it’s still empty) and washing machine from their stationery places. Don’t forget to vacuum in the tight corners and scrub the walls before moving items back into place. 

Final touches 

Now that the bulk of the cleaning is complete and your floor is free of dirt, finish off by mopping the floor and giving all plug points, handles and the light switch a final wipe down. 

If you need a new home for the unessential appliances no longer cluttering your countertop, Wigwam is your solution. With a wide range of personal storage unit sizes available with 24-hour security, you can easily and safely store your valuable kitchen appliances until you need them.  

To learn more, give us a call on 01608 656 300 or request an easy quote online. 

Best part-time jobs for working students

Posted on by Imraan

Being a university student can be a full-time job in and of itself. Between attending classes, completing assignments, and making time for fun, there’s hardly any time for anything else. So, the thought of adding a part-time job to the mix might seem daunting. However, there are plenty of part-time jobs perfect for busy schedules. Below, we unpack some of the best part-time jobs for working students. 

Virtual assistant 

You may have seen this one floating around social media. The top benefit of Virtual Assistant (VA) work is that it is entirely remote. The job requires little to no training, has a flexible schedule, and is a great way to make a decent amount of money without sacrificing too much of your study or personal time. 

Bartending or waitressing 

There’s a reason working as waitstaff is a staple in the uni job market. Offering flexible hours to better fit your schedule and decent pay, bartenders and waitresses learn how to work in a fast-paced environment, gain customer-service skills and even enjoy unusual networking opportunities. 

Working in retail 

Retail jobs are typically very flexible and are one of the best ways to gain customer service experience – a valuable skill regardless of which industry you plan to enter in the future. Additionally, many retailers offer substantial employee discounts, allowing you to stretch your income a little further. 

Tutoring 

Tutoring can be a great way to earn extra money while helping others better their grades, and it looks great on a resume. It’s also a great way to sharpen your own academic skills, as you may learn new ways of understanding complex concepts the more you teach them to others. 

House/ Pet/ Babysitter 

House, pet or babysitting is a great option as it requires very little skill, no long-term commitments and is a job you can work around your schedule. Best of all, these jobs provide an opportunity to gain valuable experience in caring for others. 

If you’re already planning a fun trip with your hard-earned money, Wigwam can help. With a wide range of affordable Oxfordshire student storage solutions, you can securely store your belongings whether you’re travelling for a week or a month. Give us a call on 01608 656 300 to learn more or get an easy quote online.