Hey everyone! I recently completed my first semester of college with a full course load (18 credits) and all As, and I thought I could share some of the things that have (and haven’t) worked for me these last few months. This is just going to be on dorm life, but I’ll probably do some on organization and school work in the future. I do go to a pretty small school so my experiences may not be applicable to everyone, but I hope somethings on this list may help!
Roommates can be pretty hit or miss, and if it’s the latter, talk to your resident assistant! My first roommate was nice enough but we had very different ways of living. I had become closer friends with one of my suitemates so we talked with our RA and managed to switch with little issue. If you’re not satisfied with your roommate situation, it won’t get better, so get help!
A great habit to get into is making your bed every morning. If you’re rushing to a morning class, at least make it once you get back to your dorm. Your room can be spotless, but a messy bed can ruin the effect. A made bed will also make it less likely for you to get back in bed when you should be doing something more productive!
Make sure you talk with your roommates/suitemates about shared living spaces - when the bathroom gets cleaned, where everyone gets to store their stuff, etc. This will prevent future conflict if sorted out early in the year!
Leave your door open as much as possible! I know a lot of people recommend this, but it’s really amazing how many people will stop by and chat, I’ve made a couple good friends because of doing this (plus it helps keep the room cooler if your window is open in the summer because the air can circulate).
A Keurig and/or a hot water boiler are really useful. Coffee shops on campus can get expensive even with the flex cash, and it’s really nice to make a cup of tea at the end of a long day.
Fairy lights are your friend. My roommate and I hate the harsh, fluorescent lights the college gave us, so we picked up 5-6 strands of white lights and swooped them from wall to wall across the ceiling. They illuminate the room with warm light and make it really cute! We’re a little extra sometimes but a couple of strands can go a long way.
Pillows are a must have. Whether your bed is on the floor or lofted like mine, they make the room so much more inviting and your bed way comfier!
You don’t need a TV or a microwave, but the latter is useful. TVs just take up precious storage space and it’s honestly easier to stream shows on your phone or laptop. Microwaves are super useful, but lots of people have them, so you can just make friends with other people on your floor - most of the people I know are really chill about letting others use theirs.
Get some shower shoes, please. I fortunately don’t have floor wide communal bathrooms, but I do share a shower with three other people, and that floor is a breeding ground for bacteria.
On that note, make sure the bathroom gets cleaned at least once a week. Shower, toilet, sinks, the works. This really helps reduce the likelihood of getting sick, which can really cut down on your productivity. I really like Clorox or Lysol wipes - they can be used on practically anything!
It’s also important to wipe down surfaces in your room every 1-2 weeks, plus it makes your room smell better!
College vacuums are nasty and smell bad, so it’s a good idea to pick up at least a small hand-held vacuum to clean up your area each week. You’d be surprised how much can accumulate on the floor.
This one’s optional, but a cute, durable rug can really make your room nicer. I got mine from Home Depot for around $40 which is a bit of an investment, but it’s so much nicer than the old college carpet.
Lofting your bed(s) really does save space. I’ve grown up with a loft so the small under space for my desk and shelves isn’t a problem for me. My current bedframe doesn’t allow you to raise it up, but if yours does and you have enough floor space for your other furniture, that can be even more precious storage space.
Open your window shades! It’s nice to get natural light, and if you get enough, you can even keep little plants on your window sill!
Some RAs put in more effort than others, but make an effort to go to floor or building wide events, you might have a great time. These are often on weeknights, so they’re a nice break from studying.
Beware of air freshener. Yes, college dorms often don’t smell great, but you will quickly be desensitized to the scents you choose, so it can start to smell too strong to others. I like using linen spray, it keeps your sheets and room smelling fresh but isn’t too overpowering.
Make your desk area your own. My roommate and I are different in that she loves to be minimalist, whereas I love cozy clutter. I have lots of pictures and art of family, friends, and home on my walls and shelves whereas she has everything in neat containers or drawers, and a single tapestry on the wall. Do whatever makes you happy.
Your room should ultimately be the place where you can chill after a long day, so try not to do as much of your studying there. It’s nice to get out and go to the library or a new coffeeshop for work so your room can just be for relaxing in. However, your room should still be set up in a way where you can be productive - especially during finals or when the weather is too bad to go out in.
This one applies to me mostly, but you don’t need to bring all of your stationary and notebooks with you. There’s not necessarily going to be enough room for it all. I’m still working on this, but you probably don’t need eight sets of pens for college.
Invest in a speaker or speakers if you haven’t already. I’ve made my room super homey, and one of the biggest ways is by having music almost always playing - not necessarily loudly but just enough that I’m not sitting in silence all the time.
It may be tempting to stock your mini fridge with ice cream and microwave meals but try to fill it with other things! Frozen berries, yogurt, chia or flax seeds, milk (or almond milk if you’re lactose intolerant like me), some water bottles or cans of pop. It’s nice to be able to reach for a healthy snack without having to trek over to the dining hall or campus store.
Decorating your dorm for the season or holiday can be really fun and a nice break from studying. My roommate and I hung tons of ornaments from the ceiling for Christmas which looked really cute, and we decorate our door for each month. It can be a bit time consuming, but it’s just a fun thing to consider.
Take time at least once a week just to tidy up. Wash dishes, put laundry away, file papers, vacuum. For me, cleaning up helps reboot my brain, and I find myself to be way more productive with a clean area.
Those soft fleece blankets are really great for cuddling in when you’re sick, tired, it’s your time of the month, etc. (I have two but you probably just need one)
Don’t do you laundry over the weekend unless you’ve gotten up early. Everyone does it then, so try to find a free morning or afternoon during the week to do it.
On that note, a drying rack is super useful. You can save money by not putting your clothes through a drying cycle, and just let them air dry. This also makes your room smell good!
I live in Michigan so summers get hot and winters are freezing. Fans (plural) are a must have if your dorm has no AC, I have a desk fan and a tall room fan. Blankets and warm pjs and slippers really help in getting through the cold season.
Make friends with someone who has a car on campus if you don’t have one! This can be really useful especially for late night trips to Meijer.
At the end of the day, your dorm should be your happy place. Keep it clean, well stocked, and cute, and your college experience will be even better!
I hope some of these tips were useful! Keep an eye out for the next post in this series, and good luck in the new year to all of you!
