Campus style
Why trending pieces age so fast
An opinion on why trend pieces lose their appeal within weeks, and what to buy instead for a campus wardrobe that you will still wear in a month.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Nour Haddadi
Editor
Writes the back-to-school and dorm guides.
Articles by Nour
Back to school
A parent's guide to a back-to-school budget talk
How parents can set a back-to-school budget with a student: agree a total, split it into four buckets and keep a reserve so nobody argues later.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Campus style
Is secondhand clothing worth it for campus?
Is secondhand clothing worth it for campus? Yes for shirts, jackets and bags, less so for shoes and underwear. Here is how to check quality fast.
Nour Haddadi3 min read
Study gear
How to choose a laptop for college without overspending
How to choose a laptop for college without overspending: check course needs, memory, storage and battery, and know where to save and where not to.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Dorm essentials
Adhesive hooks vs over-door hooks for a dorm
Adhesive hooks vs over-door hooks for a dorm: which holds a bag, a towel or a jacket better, what housing may allow and which to buy first.
Nour Haddadi4 min read
Campus style
Does it pass the 30-wear test?
A one-minute question to ask before buying any campus outfit piece, with a cost per wear example for a hot climate and when to skip the test.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Campus style
What to wear in a freezing lecture hall
What to wear in a freezing lecture hall when it is hot outside: one thin layer that packs small beats a heavy jacket you carry around all day.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Study gear
How to study in a noisy dorm room
How to study in a noisy dorm room: use headphones or earplugs, move to a quiet space, agree quiet hours and pick the cheapest fix first.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Dorm essentials
Do you need extra long twin sheets for a dorm bed?
Do you need extra long twin sheets for a dorm bed? Many college beds are longer than a standard twin, so measure the mattress before you buy.
Nour Haddadi3 min read
Dorm essentials
Dorm essentials
Small dorm storage ideas that actually fit
Small dorm storage ideas for a tiny room: use the space under the bed, the back of the door and the wall first, and skip bulky bins you cannot fit.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Dorm essentials
How to do laundry in a dorm: a simple weekly routine
How to do laundry in a dorm without ruined clothes or wasted coins: sorting, how often to wash, what to carry and what to skip in a shared laundry room.
Nour Haddadi6 min read
Back to school
Back to school shopping list: what to buy and when
A back to school shopping list in three stages: buy before term, buy in week one, and wait until week four, so your budget does not run out early.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Campus style
First-week campus outfit edit for a hot climate
A capsule of 7 for your first week on a hot campus, with an AED budget range, a cost per wear check, a dress code reminder and a skip list.
Nour Haddadi3 min read
Dorm essentials
Dorm room essentials checklist
A practical dorm room essentials checklist with what to buy now, what to wait on, and what your college may not allow, from bedding to lamps.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Study gear
How to organise notes by subject for the whole term
How to organise notes by subject for the whole term: one binder or folder per class, a dated page habit and a weekly five minute tidy that keeps revision easy.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Back to school
Student discounts worth checking before you buy
Student discounts worth checking before you buy: ask about student pricing for software, transport and shops, and how to confirm the offer is real.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Campus style
How to keep white sneakers clean on campus
How to keep white sneakers clean on campus with a soft brush, mild soap and cool water, plus the habits that stop marks before they set.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Back to school
How to pack for dorm move-in day
How to pack for dorm move-in day: a box order that keeps bedding and chargers on top, what to carry yourself and what to leave at home.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Campus style
Linen vs cotton for hot campus days
Linen vs cotton for hot campus days: which fabric stays cooler, creases less and lasts longer for students who walk to class in the heat.
Nour Haddadi4 min read
Dorm essentials
Best lighting for a dorm room: desk lamp or string lights?
Best lighting for a dorm room: one good desk lamp for work and a soft light for evenings. Where string lights help and where they fall short.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Back to school
How to save money on back-to-school shopping
How to save money on back-to-school shopping: take stock, wait a week, borrow or buy used and set a cap per bucket, with a simple AED example.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Dorm essentials
How to keep a dorm room cool in hot weather
How to keep a dorm room cool in hot weather: block the sun, move air, cool the bed and know when to ask housing, with simple low cost steps for students.
Nour Haddadi5 min read
Back to school
Buy school supplies before or after term starts?
Buy school supplies before or after term starts? Get the basics early, wait on anything the teacher names later and avoid buying a full stationery set.
Nour Haddadi2 min read
Dorm essentials
Can you use a kettle or hot plate in a dorm?
Can you use a kettle or hot plate in a dorm? Check your housing rules first, why hot plates are often banned and the safer small options to ask about.
Nour Haddadi2 min read