Going away to college can seem daunting at first if you’re not used to being away from the comfort of your own home. If you’re worried about feeling homesick in your new dorm room, there are several ways for you to make it seem more like home.
1. Pictures
Bring picture frames with photos of your family and friends that you can hang on your wall or put on your desk or dresser. Keeping visual reminders of your loved ones around you can help cheer you up when you’re feeling down. You can also bring a photo album filled with your favorite memories of times spent with friends and family. Flip through it whenever you start feeling homesick.
2. Keepsakes
Pack up a few knick knacks to put in your dorm room. Bringing some of your most treasured objects from home gives your room a more personal look and can make you feel more at ease. Try to arrange them the same way you had them at home so your dorm room resembles your bedroom as much as possible. Seeing old, familiar possessions can be a source of comfort when you’re adjusting to a new setting.
3. Creature Comforts
Dorm rooms are very sparsely furnished. In order to make your room more cozy and appealing, fill it with some of the comforts that you’re used to having at home. Bring a bean bag chair to sit on or a small sofa to lounge on. Put a small refrigerator in your room to keep snacks in. Bring a television and video game system so you can relax and have some fun after completing your assignments for the day.
4. Lighting
Most dorm rooms have an overhead fluorescent light fixture as the main source of lighting. If you’re not a fan of these, bring your own lamps to light up your room. Depending on how bright you want the room to be, you might need to have a few lamps available. Use a combination of desk, table, and floor lamps to achieve the level of brightness you want. Make sure that the lighting near your desk is adequate so you can study without straining your eyes.
5. Decorating
Make your dorm room more colorful and inviting by hanging up curtains and putting a couple of throw rugs on the floor. Choose bright colors to liven up the room. Add a few pieces of matching decor, such as paintings for the wall or a pair of table lamps. If you’re good at arts and crafts, you can also make your own accessories to place around your room. Transforming a plain dorm room into a bright and cheery one can help keep your spirits up.
Adjusting to your home away from home is going to take some time, but making it as comfortable as possible can make this easier for you. Knowing that you have a cozy place to sleep, study and relax, much like you did at home, will help you get used to your new surroundings faster.
Tina Dawson is a freelance blogger who writes advice for college students, including dorm-decorating tips and how to choose a major. Although traditional campuses are still popular, Tina reminds college-bound students to remember that there are many affordable rn to bsn online programs available, too.