For many, going away to college is the first time you’ll be living on your own. It is important to have an organizational strategy that works for you, so that you can find what you need when you need it. Here are some ideas to consider when you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to cram your life into a room that often feels not much bigger than a shoebox.
1. Ask yourself questions.
Think about your room where you used to live. What worked about it? What did not? How would you change it if you could? Are you generally organized regardless of your environment, or do you need to have a structured system in place for yourself?
2. Measure.
Make sure you can get the measurements of your room prior to buying shelving and other large items–you will want to make sure everything fits.
3. Communicate.
Talk to other students at the school to see if they have done anything unique in organizing their rooms. Check the rules and regulations for your dorm prior to buying appliances–for example, some schools allow microwaves, while others do not.
4. Utilize storage devices
Organize with appropriate containers that complement the space you have. I found plastic boxes, baskets and shelves of all shapes and sizes to be invaluable. I had a set of shelves that acted as a makeshift pantry, on which I stored breakfast items, canned soups and snacks. Organize logically. Put soups and canned goods together, breakfast items on another shelf. I lifted my bed, and placed a set of extra drawers under it, so that I could store even more clothes. I purchased a collapsible plastic table for one of my dorm rooms that did not have a dresser, so that I could store additional items on it. I also purchased hooks to maximize my wall space so I could hang items such as jackets and towels. See if you can visit a store such as Target or the Container Store to put your hands on the various storage options. This will give you a better idea of how you can use these tools before purchasing them.
5. Organize your technology.
Technology is critical in college, and making sure you have enough space and power for all your devices is important. Bring extra surge protectors and consider purchasing wall plugs with multiple outlets (if permitted), so that you can keep your technology charged.
6. Be prepared in case illness strikes.
It’s inevitable that you’re bound to get a cold or a headache while you’re away from home. Having some over-the-counter remedies for minor ailments can save you a late-night scramble to the on campus convenience store. Throw in some band-aids for those minor cuts and scrapes, too.
7. Miscellaneous but crucial things to pack.
Color catchers can be great for laundry in case you forget whether that sweater you have is white or black–let’s face it, no one is perfect about labeling clothes all the time.
Don’t forget your blindness low-tech items.
Bring along any tools you found helpful for labeling items at home, such as lock dots, braille labels, or anything else you used to mark items tactually.
8. It’s okay to ask for help
If you’re having help organizing your room, make sure you know where everything is before your family leaves. Also, make sure that the organizational strategy makes sense to you–after all, you are the one who will be living in your room.
While it can feel daunting to organize a new space for the first time, preparing early and breaking down your packing tasks into small steps can go a long way to having an organized room once you arrive to your new home. Plus, this certainly won’t be the last time your organize a new living space, so what you learn as you plan out your organizational strategy for your living space in college can help prepare you for the next time you’re ready to make a new place your own