It's that time of the year again where universities are filled with clueless young souls who will after their time in college, either find the meaning of life or dwindle into Alice's rabbit hole. I'm in the latter but having spent the last 4 years on campus accommodation, I've picked up a few 'hacks' to make living the hall life pretty darn comfortable. Sure, alternatively you could search the web and YouTube for a dozen of school propaganda material where specially chosen individuals, of which the selection process is akin to Trump's systematic analysis of his choice of wives, show you how they decorated their rooms with unnecessary yet seemingly attractive ware in an attempt to hide their empty shells of self. 

Here's a quick tour of hall if you'd like to know more about the overall compound.

I do have to add, however, that the things I'm about to share might not necessarily be relevant for your hall or you type of room. Take what you can and alter it according to your needs if it helps. So yes, before you go out to an IKEA and grab a bunch of rugs and that cliche square and short coffee table that will not fit with any of your home's furniture at the end of your stay, allow me to indulge you with my unadulterated unsexualized knowledge (unsexualized, just in case they create a hoohah like that orientation thing). Oh right, I did contemplate on churning out a post on the whole orientation thing but seriously guys, there are worse things on the internet that will screw with you on a degree far greater than the things divulged in the news. In my opinion, its an over-sensationalization of the facts, like my incident at Jurong Point a couple of months back. 

Now let's get back to topic.

First of all, we have to understand what kind of place Jalan Bahar is before determining the way of life. Situated at the far west of Singapore, the place is close to many factories and the compound internally is constantly undergoing expansion works such as new halls and a new sports complex but the free access gym is still as pathetic as a broken condom AHHHHH CRAP, this article is over-sexualized now. This builds a dusty environment throughout the year which means your floor has to be mopped constantly or you'd be walking in soot. This calls for Hack #1.

HACK #1 - HOOKS 

There are also hooks located behind most hall doors so use those too to hang more barang barang.

See how I hanged my laundry bag on the handle?

HACK #2 - Fridge

Another thing you have to understand is that university students who stay in hall start their daily activities at two in the morning. Depending on where your hall is located, you'd have to walk a distance out to get to the nearest sustenance-serving location or you'd have to order in a delivery of soggy fries and burger. Alternatively, you could pair this hack with a frying pan and you could well be on your way to be the Heston Blumenthal of your block/hall.

Steamboat pot in the bottom left corner of the picture which I have in no way used to conduct any steamboat parties because it is prohibited.

HACK #3 - Printer and router

If you're getting a printer, get a laser printer with automatic duplex functionality which will save you effort, paper and time. I've been using the DCP-7060D for the past 4 years and its still going strong and the scanner on this baby is a real bonus to have.

Yes, I was a university student who played with Nerf guns.

HACK #4 - Extension Cables

Yep, that's it for this hack. No explanation needed for a device you could plug and then turn it on *wink* .

HACK #5 - Indoor Clothes Rack

Could totally have been an underwear model had I used this pull-up bar for pull-ups instead.

This is by far my greatest innovation yet. You could use a pull-up bar if your room allows but I found that a really long piece of nylon string would do the same. Just tie a string to an anchor point and tie the other end to another point and you're good to go. You could make the system a little smarter by tying a hook at one end for a more convenient setup. With this hack, you can avoid erratic weathers and underwear thefts whilst riding on a quick-dry system. Furthermore, add an amazing softener to your laundry and your room would smell as fresh as your clothes. Do take note to air your room though as this hack might in turn incubate unnecessary dampness.

So yeah, that's pretty much it for this post. Initially, this was just a 'tips to living in hall' post but the whole hacking thing took over and they're not really real hacks but if you think this might help your freshies do share this, otherwise thanks for reading anyway.