You just moved in, along with (almost) all of your earthly possessions in tow. Your room is set up exactly the way you like it, and you feel great about the upcoming semester. A way to keep these great feelings going is to keep everything organized! We all need a little help sometimes, so here’s some tips on how to make your dorm your home away from home.
1. Whip your drawers into shape! We all know where everything is at the beginning of the semester because we just unpacked, but after a few weeks, nothing is in the right place! Foldable storage dividers for clothes easily optimizes space of folded clothing As an added bonus, you can keep your clothes smelling fresh by placing a couple of dryer sheets in between stacks to prevent that token ‘drawer smell.’ You can even make your own as a way to destress or to bond with friends!
2. Fold your clothes! Sure, we all know how to fold a shirt, but when they’re all piled on top of each other, you forget about the ones at the bottom. Try folding shirts and shorts normally, then once more in half before standing them up next to each other in the dividers! This way, you’ll be able to see everything at all times, and always remember those two (or ten) shirts you got the first month of freshman year.
3. Keep your desk neat! If you’re like me, your desk becomes the most used item in your room. Textbooks, workbooks, makeup, hair products, and the occasional laptop charger find their home either on or in my desk. I find shallow desk organizers to be super helpful to keep everything from getting too cluttered in the drawers, and taller ones work for on top of the desk and for things you need quick access to. Cable holders prevent your phone charger, laptop charger, and everything else from falling into the void (or behind your bed).
4. Take five minutes a day to organize! When you’re feeling out of control in your classes, you can regain it by putting away the clothes that have been piling up in a corner or on a chair, and clearing off your desk! Science even backs this up. Doing this every morning, especially making your bed, can lead to positive results! Charles Duhigg stated in his book, The Power of Habit, that “making your bed every morning is directly correlated with higher levels of productivity and overall happiness.” So take a few moments to clean up and you’ll be happier for it.
5. Optimize your space! If you have a wardrobe closet, try hanging shelves or a shoe organizer on the inside of your closet door is good for keeping shoes, small items of clothing, or even snacks! You can easily fit extra storage bins, a shoe rack, or containers under your bed. Storage bins are also great because you can use them for clothes, food, or toiletries. Get creative! A sideways milk crate or basket on top of a shelf or mini fridge makes for extra shelf space. Spare cardboard from move in can be used to make your own drawer dividers.
Whether you keep your room the same way since move-in, or you make over the entire room halfway through the semester, keep these tips in mind to keep your room a stress-free place all year long.