Decorating Your Dorm Room: Making a Comfortable Space in Your Home Away From Home

Going away to live at school is tough enough as it is, and on top of that when you’re living in a dorm that is completely bare and lifeless it’s hard to feel at home. Even though this is a temporary home for the time being, there is so much you can do to maximize the space you’re living in whether it be a dorm or an apartment, and I have a couple tricks and tips for you in order to make it cozy and comfortable; trust me you will totally forget that it’s even a dorm room! 

Start off by putting tons of memorabilia and fun photos on your walls! Filling up wall space is the easiest way to get rid of any echo, and to make the room feel more personalized. I would recommend adding a string of white Christmas lights, they add an amazing soft light quality in case you’re not in the mood to turn on the actual light, and an assortment of posters and photos are the best keepsakes to have while you’re away at school! I try to minimize poking tons of holes in my walls at school so I love displaying my pictures on a piece of twine or string with clothespins to hang the pictures, it’s super cute and DIY! It looks vintage-y and adds your personal touch to the room.

Make sure your bed is an oasis for you. After long days of classes and studying sometimes you just want to relax on your bed, this means you should have one or two throw blankets to keep you warm and cozy, and pillows! I have a “husband” pillow for when I want to lay down but still be able to use my laptop or read. I recommend even having a body pillow if you’d like, to add extra comfort to your sleeping/lounging space.

Rugs Rugs Rugs! Dorm floors are usually some type of gross, cold, tile. Add a cute rug that your feet will thank you for, it ties the room together and covers up the tile on the floor so it’s nice and soft when you get up out of bed! 

I love corkboards, they allow you to hang up any personal items you may have, letters, cards, photos, you name it! As the semesters go by I add whatever I collect from the semester on my boards whether they’re tickets or cards, I love being able to look back at items I’ve collected throughout the year which brings back so many memories!

Lastly, make it your own! Add some cute items that you can find at a store like HomeGoods! I have some cute mugs, organizers, jewelry holders, and some small statues that tie everything together in my room.

What’s most important about your space wherever you may be is to make it your own. You always want to be comfortable and relaxed when you’re in this space so make sure that it’s items that you like! Also, it’s better to sometimes go with a color scheme so things match and feel put together. No matter what you decide to do with your space make sure it’s a personal oasis for you!

Organization is Key

Moving back into your apartment or dorm after a long winter break all anyone wants to do is take a nap. If you rethink that and organize your helping yourself in the long run. 

1. Reorganized your closet. Color code your closet, it helps make everything easier when you are picking an outfit out for the day or even for a night out on the town.

2. Reorganize your desk. A clear desk helps promote working on things like papers, projects, etc. Have a place for all of your pens, pencils, and markers while leaving a space to put your laptop.

3. Utilize your planner. If your school is anything like mine, our teachers post the syllabus before classes start. Write down all those important dates and color code it. It gives me so much relief to see what and where I have to be and at what time.

4. Prepare your bag. Back pack or tote put everything you may need in it. I always will have the usual pencils, pens, white out, highlighter, and scissors. I also have Advil, tissues, lotion, nail clippers, hand sanitizer, and deodorant.

Letter to the Incoming Freshman

               College is a whole lot more than I expected. I thought I was going to school for a degree but what a am receiving is a whole lot more! Freshman year I walked into a co-ed dorm with a car full of stuff. I met people who made a huge impact on me. I wouldn't trade living in a dorm room for anything because I had met so many people. I had a roommate who I didn't really know because we met online, I had a friend who I met at connections, and I had friends of friends. We had a group of people we would hangout with whenever we weren't in classes and it was great. That ended when one, two, three, four of them decided to drop out or transfer schools. It was the best and probably worst year having the highs and lows not so far apart. Those of us who stayed... well the three of us from the group remaining became distant, except for me and my roommate who are going on three years living together out of four.
                One of the best decisions I made my freshman year was going through Fall recruitment. I was beyond terrified but I walked into rooms of girls with open arms and I was so happy to find my home away from home. These are the girls I leaned on for the problems with friends, or a bad breakup with an ex boy friend. This is something I will never forget and always be apart of!
                Sophomore year of college I lived with 7 people including myself. This was one of the worst ideas I have made in college, because the amount of drama that came with living with some of my friends wasn't worth the friendships lost or broken. When you make a decision on who to live with the following year make sure you agree on stuff like when you go to bed, ideas on drinking or going out, and anything else that you know you value like shower time! When you have this many girls in an apartment, the hearsay it doesn't make for a great outcome. While we are all on speaking terms now one of my biggest regrets is not being as close to them or fully mending those wounds. 
                 Junior year I lived off campus in an apartment. I lived with my freshman roommate and a random girl. It wasn't half bad, we had our own place, kitchen, our own rooms, and our own bathroom! It went way better than any other year, I made new friends, I had a blast!
                 Senior year starts this Fall, my story hasn't been written yet. I am so excited to move in to an apartment off campus on Main Street with two of my sorority sisters. We may not have our own bathrooms or a gym right next door but we have each other and all the possibilities in the world. Lets see how this chapter ends, even though I never want it to!