As returned student, I hear you- my dorm creaks when ever I walk down the hall. We got a big warning the first day- if you are a big man, don't cannon ball off the top bunk, or you might end up in the basement!!!!

For water, I'll ditto the mention of cased waterbottles. Invest in an inexpensive hand truck if you can, it will make moving things a lot easier. Pick up some tyvek sheeting- use that under your stashes under your bunks, and you'll be amazed at how well it glides on carpet. Tie some 550 line to the corners closest to the wall, and use those to pull it back under the bunk- just roll up the line and stash it by the wall.

REAL dorm food, not junk food, is for me dig in food. I dont worry about rotating it, not with the food service. :P