Starting college in the fall? Living in a dorm is the most convenient lifestyle you’ll ever have. You’ll be close to everything you need, from food, to classes, to friends, to study areas, to your part time job, to campus events. Adjusting to dorm life can be a little difficult, though. Especially if you’ve never shared a room before, or if you’re used to having a lot of space. Here are 6 tips to help you get organized before moving into a college dorm this fall.
1. Use your wall space. Get hanging baskets for magazines, hairbrushes, deodorant, or anything else that you need to access on a regular basis. Over-the-door hangers are a great way to put your closet door space to good use. You can get door hangers to organize purses, shoes, baseball caps, jackets and coats, or snacks. All surfaces are free for the taking, so don’t forget to grab a bedside organizer for your laptop, some tissues, lip balm, lotion, or other bedside necessities.
2. Store all bathroom essentials in a tidy shower caddy. You can dump it into a duffel bag if you need to shower at the gym, or run into a friend’s shower if your roommate is using the shower at the same time that you need it. Keep bathroom items organized and tidy in your own space and don’t litter the countertop with your stuff every day.
3. Remove junk regularly. When you’re living in tight quarters, you have to be diligent about getting rid of things you don’t need or it’ll quickly pile up on you. Set aside a few hours each month to sort through your belongings and find things you aren’t using. You can either send these things home to your parents, place them in short term storage, or donate these items to a local charity.
4. Designate a spot for studying. Find favorite spots in the library or around campus to study, but make sure you carve out a little study space in your dorm room. There will be times you would rather study indoors, like during a heavy rainstorm, so make sure you have a little area for your laptop and your books in your dorm.
5. Keep an extra set of linens clean. Don’t fall into the trap of having only one set of sheets or one bath towel just because it saves space. There will be times you are extremely busy and you don’t have time to do laundry.
6. Rent a small storage space nearby for extra things you don’t need all the time. Having a spare closet-sized space for your sports equipment or your out of season clothing is a major bonus in the life of a college student. If you don’t think you’ll need all the space to yourself, consider sharing a spot with a friend.
Are you looking for some spare space in your college dorm? Look no further than Storage Etc. You can get storage units in many sizes, from small closet-sized units to two-car garages. Contact Storage Etc. to reserve your unit today!