In a matter of months, seniors will be saying goodbye to their families and friends as they head off to college. Needless to say, one of the most stressful parts about getting ready to go away
for your secondary education is preparing for dorm life. While it can be overwhelming to share a room with another person — for what will probably be the first time — remember that nearly every freshman has the same concerns!

One of the most important things about preparing for dorm life is communicating. Be sure to speak with your future roommate(s) about who should bring what, as many items can be shared. Things like microwaves, mini-fridges, rugs, even TVs or DVD players, are great to have if they are allowed. With that being said, you should definitely check out your college’s website as it may list items, such as light fixtures that are not permitted. It’s also necessary to keep in mind that since you’ll be sharing the room with at least one other person, you’ll need to manage your space wisely. Unfortunately, this means you might not be able to bring your entire collection of Webkinz or your full set of Silly Bandz. Still, packing for college will help you realize what’s truly important: the things you feel you could not live without.

Of course, don’t forget pictures and posters to hang on your walls to make it feel like home! The majority of college freshmen feel homesick at some point within the first weeks of school. With all of the bustle involved in packing for school, it’s easy to forget the items that make your room you. Senior Kendra Miller reminds us of this importance of bringing something special that gives you memories of home.

Miller said, “My blanky has been passed down three generations in my family. It’s a way to bring a piece of home with me to college and it will always remind me of where I came from.”

Senior Steven Collins also stressed the necessity of bringing your favorite personal items. “I know I’ll be sure to bring my record collection with me. I think a person’s music collection says a lot about who they are,” he said. Also, some current dorm room trends include tapestries to hang on walls as well as fairy lights to drape over your bed. It’s also becoming popular to paint things like quotes or abstract pieces on canvases to hang up on your walls. Think about having a painting party with your friends before heading to school — there is nothing cooler than hanging up something you made yourself. It’s a
way to set your room apart and customize it with your own original work.

Moving into a dorm with another person is certainly a massive change, yet everyone is going through the same thing. Regardless of how overwhelming or scary it might be, the experiences you’ll have at school are totally worth any initial fears.