By BEE BROWN
Tiger Media Network
Moving into college for the first time can be stressful — there’s a lot to remember. Here are some of the things real Fort Hays State University students had to say about the most important aspects of decorating your dorm.
10. Food is important, so be sure to take a place to store it. A minifridge may seem like an obvious thing to pack, but Halle Habiger said that it was her favorite thing she brought. I know I can’t agree more– where else would I store my Brita filter?
9. You’re also going to want to be able to tidy your space. Mars Dunn told me that her favorite item was her small vacuum, and I for one, wish I’d had that kind of foresight. You’re spending so much time in this small space; it’s important to keep it clean.
8. One thing you don’t need is excessive comfort. Dunn mentioned she regretted bringing a heated mattress pad. Some purchases may seem reasonable at the time, but you don’t need to be plugging everything into the wall. I can’t imagine the heating element makes it easy to clean – I know heated blankets have always given me fits.
7. Conversely, be careful not to forget essentials. Items like toiletries or your documents are common things you may not think about packing.
6. One thing you don’t need to worry about, however much the internet may try to tell you otherwise, is organization, according to Habiger. Of course, bringing some organization is important, but too much of it creates the same problem you brought it to try to avoid: not enough space in the room.
5. It’s similarly not the end of the world if you don’t have much on your walls. Your room can still feel like it’s “yours” with walls fully void, so don’t stress out about having tapestries, posters, wall art, and the like. It’s really not that big of a deal.
4. There are really no rules for what’s more important in the eternal battle between function and aesthetics, but Dunn says she prioritizes function. For all that aesthetics make a place feel like “home”, function absolutely cannot be counted out in such a small space, especially if you’re sharing with a roommate.
3. Habiger also said she feels it’s important not to get too much stuff, since you don’t have that much space, and I can’t help but agree. A double dorm at FHSU averages dimensions of around 13’2.5” x 11’4.7”. That’s not much space for two people.
2. When I asked Dunn what the most important thing to remember when putting together a dorm is, her answer was simple.
“While this is a temporary home, you will still live here for almost a year,” she said.
Make your dorm comfortable, make it your home. You’re going to be here for a long time, so make it somewhere you can take refuge in.
1. My final tip is to have fun with it. You’re only going to be here for a year. Make your dorm livable and comfortable and functional, but take the time to experiment. Move the furniture. Rearrange it partway through the year (with your roommate’s okay). This is a golden opportunity to learn about what you like in a space, so make use of it. Try things out. There is no dorm decoration Bible. Some of the things I’ve said in this article may not work for you in the slightest, and some may work for the rest of your life. You have to figure out what works for you.