5 Ways to Make Your Dorm Room a Home

The start of college is looming just a few months away. Many students will be moving out of their parents home, and leaving behind their childhood bedrooms. When I moved into the dorms at the University of Oklahoma, it was the first time I hadn’t gone to sleep in the same room my parents brought me home to from the hospital. It was sort of scary. But, I had brought a few things with me to make my dorm room feel more like home.
1. Pictures. I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but having a family photo on your desk will make you feel better if you get homesick. Make a collage with photos of you and your friends. Even if your friends are going to the same school, the collage will let you show your college friends how popular you were in high school!
2. Teddy Bear. Yes, it might be a little embarrassing, but we all know that when you need something to snuggle, a teddy bear is the best thing. Keep it under your sheets if you need to, but bring it.
3. Favorite Movies. Sometimes you just need to get lost in a good movie. Moving from your parents home to a blank dorm room can be very stressful. Grab your new roommate and a favorite flick, microwave some popcorn, and take a break.
4. Bean Bag or Comfy Chair. Dorm rooms usually have a bed and a desk chair, neither of which are great for lounging in while reading or doing homework. Invest in a squishy bean bag; it’ll be the “choice” seat in your dorm.
5. Wickless candle. Let’s face it: not every dorm is going to smell like roses and most do not allow open flames. Fortunately, wickless candles that melt from the heat of a candle can make your dorm smell like the cookies mom bakes or the vanilla candles grandma always burns. We often recall memories best that are associated with scents, so what’s a better way to remember home?
It’s not a complete list; you’ll still need other dorm room essentials, but hopefully it will make your dorm a little more homey.