By now, most college students have either started school or are slowly coasting toward midterms (this trusty intern certainly is). The group projects have been assigned, people have unofficially designated “their spot” in the library, and if you’re a parent at home you may be lamenting (or celebrating) your now-empty nest.
No matter what time of year, you can still find plenty of ways to spruce up your dorm or first apartment. Image courtesy of Dormify.com
There is however, one last bit of advice I’d like to bestow on college students looking to make the most out of their dorm room or first apartment….
Make Friends!
I mentioned before that making a couple of friends in the art program is an easy way to snag a few custom pieces of wall decor for your space, but there are hundreds of other things friends are good at:
- Teaching you how to cook (or cooking for you)
- Helping you move in or out
- Cleaning
- Picking out decorations
- Pulling all-nighters together
- Bringing snacks to study sessions
- Helping you move that really heavy entertainment center
- Anything, everything!
Maybe it’s the fact that everyone is out of their comfort zone or perhaps it’s just all of those motivational speeches they give at orientation, but there’s always a sense of community on a college campus. People are super nice and typically more than happy to help out complete strangers. With all the friends you’ll make, you’ll have to decorate so you can host get-togethers with your slew of new friends!
Good luck to the new students this fall and to parents sad to see their kids leaving home: don’t worry, they’ll be back soon (especially if its laundry day)!
More on dorm room/first apartment decorating from our blog:
College Prep: Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
Brian Patrick Flynn: Collegiate Patterns
My 5 Fantastic Back-to-School Finds For Your Study Space
Six Superb Apartment Sized-Sofas That Are Life Savers
Dorm rooms and small apartments can be so cozy and interesting.
what is the black and white footrest, and where can i get one? What brand?
Hi Alexa! You can buy them from Dormify's website: http://www.dormify.com/dorm-and-apartment/fun-fun…
If you're just wanting that certain look, the pattern is ikat and you can find similar styles on other websites.
Very nice and comfy poufs, I really like the color combination of white and black very relaxing on the eye. A good friend of mine who's working as Florida interior designer says that white and black colors are perfect for modern homes.
More than those perks, making a few friends will make living away from home a lot more comfortable. It's going to feel really awkward living somewhere without anyone to talk to.
You said, Alvin. Being an outcast in a new neighborhood is definitely not the best way to go about life.