DORM DO’s

By: Morgan Klein

     Leaving behind not only family and friends but the comfort of one’s own room can be disorienting when first moving into a college dorm room. While many graduating seniors are thrilled to be leaving, many don’t realize all of the organization and energy that is required to be independent.

     A printable dorm room supply checklist can make the big transition a little smoother. Start by listing supplies essential to everyday usage, such as clothing, alarm clock, toiletries, computer accessories, shoes and bedding. Then, add some small desirable but non-essential, such as photos and CD’s to make the dorm feel more like home. As far as personal items are concerned, it’s wise for new college students to list all toiletries and things they weren’t likely to have purchased back at home, such as shampoo, towels, razors and laundry detergent. For more information on where to begin the new adventure, visit online magazines and websites, such as Dormprep.com.

     Next, list the larger items likely to be shared with one’s roommate, such as a television, microwave, stereo and game system. However, to prevent duplication, communication with one’s roommate about these items is a must. It is also important to visit the “Residence Life” section of your universities website to see what items are provided, suggested and what not to bring. For example, at Northern Arizona University all rooms have furniture, a refrigerator with freezer and wired/wireless Ethernet connections. For dorms without a closet, bring plastic storage containers to keep clothes in. Some students purchase shower curtain rods and hang decorative fabrics or curtains to conceal clothes.

     “My roommate and I chatted, and he is going to bring the TV and storage units. I’m going to bring the fan and stereo,” said senior Aeron Carr, who’s moving to the University of North Dakota in the fall. “We also decided to get a bunk bed, so we have more room in the dorm.”

     Dorm designing is essential to feeling comfortable in one’s new dorm. The possibilities for designing are endless.

     Fourth-year psychology major Malik Walker of Hampton University, told HGTV that for dorm designing success, “You have to be creative with your space.”

     Before delving into decoration, a few important things to know are the size of the design space, the desired atmosphere of the room and the room furnishings. The dimensions of one’s dorm room will help determine designing options. The average dorm size is about 12 feet by 13 feet.

     “I want to bring a lot of pictures from home of friends and family because it will make the place more homey and comfortable for me during the year,” said senior and soon-to-be student at Northern Arizona State University, Ashley Hames. “My room back home is covered in pink with accents of zebra print, so I want to follow the same color scheme when I move.”

     Though the whole experience can be overwhelming, with preparation and an eye for design, students can make their dorm rooms feel like their personal resorts, and best of all, their homes.