How to Make Your Dorm Room Your New Home

To those of you expecting to live on campus, your dorm room may seem like a temporary place to live. While this is true, you will be spending 8 months of your school year (or more) in that room.

It's important that you make that modestly sized white box you'll be calling home most of the year a place of your own. If you're coming from far out of town and will go home less than local students, it's even more important that you do so. A room with a touch of home can really help stave off homesickness.

With that in mind, and my own experience as a (way) out of state student, I've compiled a list of vital and recommended items to make your on-campus living experience a pleasant one. Always make sure to contact your roommates before move-in or wait to buy shared items such as shower curtains.

Must Haves

Curtains: Unless you'll be living in a single room to yourself, curtains are pretty much a must have. Using a tension rod, you can put up curtains in almost any dorm room in Fenn Tower, giving you your own space and a little extra privacy even though you have a roommate.

Desk lamp: While the rooms in the dorms do now all include overhead lighting, I find that a desk lamp is great for reading at night when you don't want to disturb a roommate.

Ethernet cable, wireless card, and/or built-in wireless: The CSU network is fast, really fast, and offers you a great chance for entertainment when you want to relax solo (aka check your Facebook). Make sure your laptop computer has built-in wireless or invest in a wireless card. Desktop users--get a USB Wireless card or an Ethernet cable so you can plug into the network via your wall.

Board and Video Games: Games are a great way to hang out with friends. Get Guitar Hero, Rock Band, or DDR and you'll be the social butterfly of your floor.

Mattress Pad: They won't list this on the items you need, but trust me, you need one. They'll help keep your sheets from slipping off the mattress as often and soften up the dorm mattress.

Music Player: You'll want something you can play some music on while your cleaning and hanging out with friends. You'll also want an individual music player for walking to class or working out at the Rec.

The Basics: Hand soap, razors, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, towels, wash rags/loofah/sponge, sheets (extra long), pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, backpack, cleaning supplies, trash can, trash bags, dishes, chargers for any electronic devices, shower curtain and hooks.

Recommended

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers: These things are my most vital cleaning supply. They'll scrub the mold off your shower floor easy, and remove any scuff marks from the wall.

Lysol or Clorox Wipes: Give stuff a good wipe-down with these on occasion to keep stuff germ-free.

Posters or Pictures and Wall Putty: Look around your wall at home and see what's on it that you might want to take with you to decorate your room. Posters cover a great amount of area and can easily be put up or taken down using wall putty (aka sticky tack). A few pictures of friends and family will also make you feel more at home.

Memo Board: I love putting one of these by my desk so I can tack up useful notes when I'm writing a paper. 

Decorate as you go: If you go out with new friends to a movie, hold on to the ticket stub. I had a whole area on my wall dedicated to the fun stuff I'd done throughout the year. Remembering the fun times can help you through a difficult semester.

Desk organizer: The desks in the dorms are pretty basic. A cup for pens and a small tray to separate staples, thumb tacks, paperclips, etc. can really help clean up desk-clutter.

Plastic shelving unit(s): Wait until you've seen your room and can determine if there's enough space for these. If there is, they definitely come in handy and provide a ton of extra space.

There you have it. Have fun making your dorm room a home away from home and good luck in the 2010-2011 school year.