| Face it. College dorm rooms are small and simple. You | | | | Storage Zones: closet or wardrobe, for clothes and |
| need to devise a place for everything and everything | | | | other essentials. |
| should be in its place. How to reach this storage | | | | - Get some hanging storage for shoes, purses, and |
| nirvana? First and foremost use your noggin. | | | | other small lighter weight items |
| Know your dorm room | | | | - Buy all the same-sized hangers, so they fit uniformly |
| If you have visited your college, you have probably | | | | in your closet |
| seen your dorm room or at least something | | | | - Shelf dividers, which clamp onto the closet shelf, will |
| comparable. If not, check online and see if your college | | | | hold and separate clothes and keep everything from |
| has some images of dorm rooms on their website. | | | | getting all jumbled together |
| Tip: In addition to photos of dorm rooms, look for floor | | | | - Hanging closet shelf organizers help hold everything |
| plans of the various dorms and for listings of room | | | | and come in different widths and sizes |
| dimensions, furnishings, and floor amenities [such as | | | | - Over-the-door hooks make great storage for coats, |
| laundry and kitchen-type facilities]. | | | | towels, and you name it? |
| In other words, really snoop the place out. Once you | | | | After you figure out how to store your college |
| have a visual image and some working dimensions, it is | | | | essentials, keep the dorm clutter to a dull roar by |
| much easier to determine what to pack and more | | | | following these tips. |
| precisely where all your stuff will be stored. | | | | Conquer Clutter |
| Create your zones | | | | - As you prepare and pack, to move into your dorm |
| It only takes a few steps and if you have a roommate, | | | | room, remember NOT to bring too much stuff. Study |
| be sure to talk about these points with them. | | | | all the stuff you are packing and visualize where it will |
| Establish zones for the functions of your room and | | | | be stored-once it hits your dorm room |
| develop the storage for that zone's function. | | | | - Always maintain how much stuff comes in the room. |
| Study Zone | | | | Label your stuff, your roommate's stuff, and know |
| - Use small portable plastic baskets [for inside desk | | | | which stuff is communal. Ok, you do not have to go so |
| drawers] to hold small items | | | | far as to be sewing labels in your underwear, |
| - Sturdy, portable, closing paper file folders hold papers | | | | however, knowing up-front whose stuff is whose, will |
| - Canvas totes, old suitcases-stacked, baskets with | | | | alleviate future hassles |
| lids, and small bookshelves can store all study | | | | - Keep the room clear of clutter. Talk to your |
| essentials | | | | roommate[s] about what level of cleanliness they are |
| Sleeping Zone | | | | comfortable with and express your feelings to them |
| - Get risers for your bed | | | | - Establish a routine for organizing the room and stick |
| - Purchase low, plastic covered storage containers, of | | | | with it-nuff said. Just 10 minutes everyday de-cluttering, |
| various sizes, which can possibly stack and slide under | | | | will go along way in keeping order in the dorm |
| your bed | | | | - Discuss ideas, with your roommate[s], so you both/all |
| Eating Zone | | | | know each others' expectations |
| - Stackable storage containers with lids can be | | | | Still need storage? |
| purchased in plastic or Pyrex and used to store food | | | | In just about every city you should be able to find off |
| and snacks | | | | campus storage units for rent. Before you spend that |
| - Plastic portable containers with lids work well to store | | | | extra dough, think if you really need all that stuff. |
| dirty dishes-prior to you hauling them to the kitchen for | | | | Showing responsibility for your room, your stuff, and |
| washing | | | | keeping it all stored and organized will go a long way in |
| Entertaining Zone | | | | helping you create more time and less frustration in |
| - Think portable storage: plastic storage drawers on | | | | your college life. |
| wheels will hold dishes, food, and kitchen utensils | | | | Instantly download your FREE College Life Tips To-Do |
| - Plastic storage cubes can be handy for stacking, | | | | List? at College Life Tips to help you prepare and pack |
| storing, even double as extra seating, hold speakers or | | | | for college. It is a college essential. |
| act as a small table | | | | |