If you’re living in a dormitory, you probably want to be able to connect to the internet as quickly and securely as possible. Luckily, most colleges have wireless networks that you can access for free. But if your college doesn’t have the fastest connection or your signal isn’t strong enough, you may need to purchase a router to help boost your WiFi.

Before you get a router, make sure to check with your school’s IT department. Some schools have strict policies against private routers, while others allow them as long as you set them up properly and register them with your school’s network.

Use a Range Extender

When you’re in the dorm, you likely have several wireless devices in your room that need to connect to the internet. A range extender will help boost your network signal and ensure that you can use all of your devices no matter where they are located in the room.

Install a Personal Router

Many students find it beneficial to have their own router in the dorm because it provides faster and more reliable WiFi. Using a router also helps to keep your data secure, since it acts as a sort of firewall.

Don’t Be Afraid to Become Your Own Internet Provider

Most colleges and universities provide Wi-Fi in their dorms, but you should still check with your school’s IT department to find out what kind of router they recommend for you. If you can’t find the type of router you want on campus, it might be worth shopping around for one at your local electronics store.

If your school does not offer wireless, you might be able to connect to the campus WiFi system by connecting an Ethernet cable to one of the ethernet ports on the router. This will provide a much faster connection than WiFi, and it can be useful for streaming movies or gaming on a laptop.

Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before connecting your router to the dorm’s WiFi. Some schools have a specific wiring diagram you should follow, while others just show you how to connect the WAN (wide area network) port to your room’s ethernet port.

The WAN port (often yellow) on your wireless router is the one you should connect to the dorm’s wall port. If you don’t, it could interfere with the network used by others in your room and disable their connections.

Alternatively, you can use a CAT5 or CAT5e Ethernet cord to connect the WAN port to the wall outlet and then plug your computer or gaming device into the other port on the router. You can also use a different color connector or a colored label to make this easier to see when you’re in the dorm.

Consider Your Devices

If you have more than one device that needs to connect to your router, consider purchasing a router with multiple ports. This will allow you to connect more devices, including a gaming console and a computer.