So, as some of you may know, I'm heading off to university in like a week and I'll be staying in the dorms. I imagine there are other users here on MAF who are also going back to college this year.

So I wanted to start a topic for us to talk about dorm life, what kind of decorations you plan on using, lots of stuff. 

So, any tips for living life on campus?

I'm starting my 2nd year of uni next week and I lived in dorms last year as well as this year. 

Last year I shared a room with someone else so I didn't bring much stuff to decorate...most things were accumulated over the year I was there so it was all school-related stuff and pictures of friends I made, so on and so forth. I had a collage of photos making a wave on the wall next to my bed- it was pretty cute but also sort of plain. My roommate on the other hand had a better imagination than me xD she brought frames to hang her photos up and a wooden sign with her name on it to hang over her bed and lots and lots of organization boxes- big and little.

One thing about dorms is that they aren't your property and if you mess them up, you have to clean them or you'll be charged for the damages and whatnot. Don't buy heavy things to hang in your dorm because you can't use nails. For the most part, we used double-sided tape for light stuff (like single photos or paper signs), the foamy double-sided tape for the heavier stuff (it peeled paint off the walls though), and command strips (great for hooks and things).

This year, I'll be living in a room on my own so I won't have to worry much about clashing decor anymore. I decided to take some advice from my roommate and buy a bunch of crates and boxes and things to organize my drawers, closet, desk, and under my bed. After a year, what I've realized about dorms is that it's enough space for one person, one just has to be organized and learn how to utilize such space. My roommate and I bought these hanging boxes that go in your closet from IKEA so that we can put shoes or folded clothes in them. She also found this thing that hangs in your closet with two racks, so you can hang shirts up on two tiers- one on the top and one underneath it...(idk if I explained that part correctly but you get double hanging space in your closet!) 

I got big crates that I'm bringing my things into the dorm with but when i empty them out, I can store my winter clothes in them until it gets cold out or use them for school supplies or bedding I don't need yet or whatever instead of storing them in my closet. I can just push them under my bed and call it a day. 

I also bought a small shoe rack I can fit under my bed so that they won't get lost or messed up. (I love my shoes u.u)

As for decor this year, I'm going all out since I have my own room! I bought vinyl wall decals which you can get from Joann's, Michael's, or Target- there are even some cute ones at the local dollar store. Mine are hearts filled with the pictures of Paris, London, and New York. I also made a wooden sign like my roommate's but with a cute quote I liked with some spare wood and paint. I made my roommate a french memo board (one of those boards with ribbon on it and you can put pictures or notes of them) instead of buying her one. I also like looking through JP magazines I've bought and read already and cutting out things I like to make collages on my walls so I might do that again...it's all really tentative since I haven't seen the actual room yet, but when I'm finished with my masterpiece, I'll post pictures.

Tips for living on campus hm!

-Don't be nervous because there are tons of freshman just like you, if you are a freshman that is. Everyone has to start somewhere!

-Map out your classes and maybe even explore your campus if you can so taht you don't get lost on the first day of school (upperclassmen who talk to you can be very impressed by the fact that you don't have a lost look on your face because that's how they tell you're a freshman for the most part).

-If you don't have a car, find someone who does because you never know when you'll need an emergency ride or something. -

Don't piss off your roommates/suitemates right off the bat lol...you have to live with them for a year so it's best to stay neutral if not friendly.

-Don't fret over people who don't give the same courtesy as the tip previously stated- not everyone can be as nice as you u.u just make sure you communicate with people to let them know if something is wrong and try to compromise.

-Be nice to your RA and for the most part, they will be nice to you which is always helpful (cookies aren't a bad moving in gift either if you have a kitchen lol).  

That's all I can think of at the moment...Can't wait to see what everyone else has to say about this topic- the thread was a great idea Roze :3

Wow, thanks for all the great tips!

I move in to my dorm in about 5 weeks. I have already been told that you can't attach anything on to the walls, so I hope there is a desk and shelves to stick decorations on ^^ 

I'm bringing up my fairy collection so they will make the room look shinier. I think I'll have to stick to desktop decor. 

Most dorms do provide a desk and a shelf, however you might find that you need that space for school work (desk) and clothes/books (shelf). You might not, but like I stated before, space is limited! If you buy another small shelf (depends on the size of your collection) you might be okay with that. What does your collection consist of exactly? Porcelain, plush dolls, pictures, etc? 

If you have lighter objects, I heard of this great idea from a friend of a friend:

Find a cute net of your color choice and tape the corners of it to your wall. You can tuck tons of little dolls and plushes, pictures and small items on it without worry. n.n 

Yeah, I'm not allowed to use nails or tacks on my walls either. They frown on tape or other sticky adhesives but if you can get it off the wall without damage it should be okay...

I'm in my third year of college. I've lived in a dorm for the first couple months of my first year. Moved twice to different apartments my second year and now I'm in my third year and I'm in my third new apartment. I hope the last time I move it's back to Michigan. lol 

But with that said I've learned lots of stuff. And my new place is only 600sq ft. Pretty tiny. So with all the stuff me and my boy friend brought with us. We're still organizing. 

The only nails I'll be using is to hang a shelf on the wall. Other wise yes use that sticky hook stuff. whatever that is. And clean! 

Stay organized and inspirited! 

Yeah, I've noticed that it's very helpful to keep some basic cleaning supplies on hand. Especially when it starts getting colder and people get sick. Definitely good to keep stuff clean. 

If possible, go home on some of the weekends and do you laundry for free! Muahahahahaa!

Also, shower during times most people aren't in the dorm, like during the day when lots of people are in class. You're less likely to be interrupted or feel rushed.