Dorm rooms are usually a tiny space with roommates cramped up, worn socks on the floor, and cold pizza waiting to rot out. At least that’s what you see on TV, but it’s not always true. Dorms are friendship incubators. Many students make lifelong friends with their roommates and other students they share the dorm with. Dorms are also great venues to throw a party because what better way to spend an evening at dorm after the exam is over anyway?

Whether you’re throwing your first or n-th party, your goal is the same. The party should make a lasting impression on your guests and everyone should be having a good time. Here are some tips that will help you achieve these goals.

Can You Throw a Dorm Party?

First things first. Can you even host a college dorm party without getting shut down by the resident advisors (RAs)? The answer is it depends. Some dormitories allow parties, some don’t. You can find out by digging through the housing rules or consult your RAs. Make sure you find out the legality before you even begin planning for the party. You don’t want your effort to go down the drain. Or worse — getting your party shut down 10 mins into the party.

Once you’re sure that the party is not violating any rules, time to get your roommates’ consent. Throwing a party without consulting your roommates is super inconsiderate. What if they have important assignments due the next day or their parents are coming over to visit? Similarly, you may want to consult your neighbors too. Everyone’s class schedules are different, what works for you may not be the best interest of everybody else.

With the dorm rules and roommates on your side, it’s time to move on to other things.

Dorm Party Planning Committee: Gather Your People

It’s much easier to plan and throw a party when you have two or more people involved. You can go solo for sure, but that means you have to do all the work by yourself. And the work can get tedious: clean up before and after party, acquiring food and drinks (who’s footing the bill anyway?), deciding on theme, music, and decoration, etc.

Read also

12 Things to Know about Dorm Life

Dorm Party Theme: The Soul of the Party

Decide on a theme. Like Halloween when everyone dresses up as their favorite characters, having a theme makes a party stand out. The theme can be anything. You can celebrate collegiate sports, your roommate’s birthday, or the end of midterms. The theme can be about certain fashion style. For example, you can arrange for everyone to wear pajamas, jersey attires, or swimsuits. Throwing a great party is all about being creative and thinking outside the box. The bottom line is the theme should make the party more fun, not tedious.

Here are some theme ideas to jumpstart your brainstorming session.

• Dorm floor party – get to know fellow students who share the same floor
• Birthday
• Graduation
• End-of-midterm
• End-of-semester
• Farewell
• Dorm warming
• Homecoming
• Girls’ night
• Pajamas party
• 80’s
• 90’s
• Pink fantasy – everyone has to wear something pink
• Plaids and checkers
• Ugly sweaters
• Ghosts and monsters (great for Halloween)
• Unicorn
• Black & white attire only
• Jazz night
• Hip-hop night

More Party Theme Ideas
Here are some additional party theme ideas to keep you inspired.

1. 51 Theme Party Ideas from Actual Party Planners by StyleCaster. Some of these ideas are really too complex for a simple dorm party, but they are fun to look at and you will definitely feel more inspired after going through the list.
2. 30 Instagram-Worthy Party Ideas by EventBrite. This article doesn’t have pictures on it but the ideas are quite creative. They will definitely look great on Instagram if you can pull them off.
3. 20 Best College Party Themes by Seventeen. I think you have the best chance of pulling off these themes. They are fun, creative, and more achievable. Definitely check out these ideas for inspiration.

Dorm Party Guest List & Invitations: Who to Invite, How to Invite

A party is not a party if no one comes (on second thought, a one-person party sounds like a terrific idea). Anyway, you will want to invite some guests. Start off by estimating how many people you can realistically fit in the room. You don’t want the party to become overcrowded. When you’re estimating, make sure there’s room for the guests to move around.

As the party host, it’s up to you who you should invite. Here are some ideas: friends, classmates, roommates, dorm neighbors, and resident advisors. Depending on the party theme, you might want an even mix of guys and girls. If the theme is girls’ night, obviously no guys would be invited. It could be a big party that packs the room or a smaller, cozier party that allows your guests to really get to know each other.

Invite your neighbors and resident advisor. Your neighbors are less likely to file a noise complaint if they’re attending your party. The invitation also gives them a heads up that you’ll have guests coming over.

As for the actual invitations, it can be made through word of mouth or text messages. Text messages are probably the most common way to invite a party guest. Not to mention that it’s convenient. Another way to invite your guests is to create an event on Facebook. Alternatively, you can make your own invitation card if you’re good at designing graphics. You can also find templates for invitation card online that you can customize and print out at the computer lab.

1. Party Invitation Templates by Greetings Island. These are free templates that you can customize and print. You can also send them digitally.
2. Customizable Party Invitation Templates by Canva. Free templates for all kinds of occasions: birthday, graduation, and even baby shower. There are thousands of choices available so you will need to go through them to find what works best for you then customize it to your liking.

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Things to Know About Staying in a Dorm

Dorm Party Music Because a Silent Party is Hardly a Party

Music brings life to a party. Like a movie scene that becomes awkward when you remove the background music, a party without music is soulless. Start curating a playlist at least a few days ahead of the party. You should be enjoying during the party, not burdened by the task of searching frantically for the next song to play.

Make sure to add lively, upbeat, and popular songs that everyone will be able to sing and dance to. It’s also important to mix the song order (i.e. put it on shuffle), it’s not ideal to put the all the best tracks at the beginning of the party when the guests are still arriving. Remember to mix in some slow songs in between to prevent musical fatigue.

So pop songs are the safe way to go, but if you understand your group’s tastes, or if your party has a specific theme, you should curate your song list accordingly. For example, if it’s a jazz night party, you’ll probably want to prepare a playlist predominantly made up of jazz music.

Remember don’t be too loud. Always keep in mind that your neighbors might already be sleeping.
Youtube vs Spotify
I recommend storing your song list on Spotify. Youtube works OK but unless you’re adding official music videos, some of the videos might get removed due to copyright infringement before your party starts. If I remember correctly, that means your playlist will get stuck when it tries to play the deleted video.

So Spotify is the way to go and try to get Spotify Premium to prevent the annoying ads from annoying yourself and your guests. Spotify offers free trial for their Premium plan. You can also ask for help from a friend who has access to premium.

Now some of you enjoy the process of choosing songs for the party. Others might prefer quick and easy access to good music. Here are some curated Spotify playlist if you prefer the latter:-

1. Today’s Top Hits – some of the most popular songs on Spotify today.
2. Mega Hit Mix – popular songs over the past few years.
3. The Party Hits of 2010s – keep the party going.
4. Teen Party – the songs are more fast-pace but might get a little noisy for a dorm party.
5. K-pop Daebak – hosting a K-pop themed party? This comprehensive K-pop playlist will provide the perfect background music.
6. All Out 90s – songs for 90s-themed parties.
7. Chill Vibes – tired of pop songs? Here are some relaxing tunes for you and your guests to chill to.
8. Jazz Vibes – Jazz with Hip Hop beats.

Dorm Party Games & Activities: Things for the Party Guests to Do

Games are always a good idea. It keeps your guests occupied and interested. It also serves as the perfect icebreaker for guests who are meeting for the first time. You can play the classics like Spin the Bottle or Never Have I Ever. You can also play card games like Cards Against Humanity or table games like Beer Pong or Juice Pong – the non-alcoholic cousin. Just make sure that your games are inclusive and great for groups so that no one gets left behind.

1. 40 Best Entertaining Party Games – Shutterfly
2. House Party Games for Adults – Cosmopolitan
3. 20 Incredibly Simple Party Games That Are Fun At Any Age – BuzzFeed

Dorm Party Food & Drinks – Empty Belly is the Number One Reason Party Guests Leave Early

Music creates the mood and sets the atmosphere. But the party will be short-lived if your guests are hungry and thirsty. The last time I check, music doesn’t cure hunger. So keep your guests happy and satisfied by preparing some snacks and beverages.

Unfortunately, most college dorms do not provide access to a kitchen. So you won’t be roasting chicken or making complex hor d’oeuvres. Not really sure what you can provide for the guests? Here are some food & drinks ideas. This is also where having a planning committee really helps. Prepping food & drinks can take time, energy, and money.
Food
Snacks are a party must-have. Expect your guests to leave early if there’s no food. The food you serve doesn’t have to be a full course meal. Just make sure there are finger foods (snacks) that go great with your drinks. Some good choices are:-

• Nacho chips
• Fries
• Chicken fingers
• Nuggets
• Popcorn
• Pizza
• Nuts

More Party Food Ideas

1. Party Food and Snack Ideas on a Budget – US News
2. 21 Cheap Party Food Ideas – Well Kept Wallet
3. Quick and Easy College Party Snack Hacks – SpoonUniversity
4. 25 Delicious No-Cook Snacks That Are Easier Than They Look – Buzzfeed

Drinks
It’s not a party without drinks. Think of beer bottles, kegs, wine bottles, cocktails, hard liquor, juice, sodas, and even water. Most dorms ban alcoholic drinks. Some students sneak them in. Others simply befriend their RA and talk them into letting it slip for one night. For some of you who don’t want to break the rules, and you really shouldn’t, there are a lot of deliciously satisfying non-alcoholic mocktail recipes. Whichever it is you prefer, there are no excuses not to serve drinks at a party.

Here are some non-alcoholic beverage ideas:-

1. Soda / Pop – carbonated drinks. Coca-cola and Pepsi are the more popular choices most people enjoy. Some drinks can be divisive… like Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke. If you aren’t sure, just get a few brands so your guests can choose what they prefer.
2. Lemonade – the regular bottle lemonade or the pink stuff.
3. Juices – juices are delicious and could be healthy.
4. Cardinal Punch Mocktail – The Spruce Eats
5. 15+ Easy Mocktail Recipes – Delish
6. 30 Non-alcoholic Party Drinks – Taste of Home

Cups
Don’t forget about the cups. You can’t expect your guests to drink out of the bottle. For a small party, you might have enough coffee mugs for the group if you ask your roommates for help. You do have to wash the mugs afterward, but it’s more eco-friendly.

For a bigger crowd, disposable cups are the way to go. The red plastic cups are a college party tradition in the US. Unfortunately, plastics are terrible for the environment. For that reason, consider getting some disposable paper cups instead.

Preparing for a Dorm Room Party

Look at your room in its current state. It’s probably not in the most presentable condition. At least not for your guests. Even if it’s tidy for your daily use, hosting a party means that your room needs to be tweaked for party use.
Tidy up your room
People need space. More people need more space. You don’t want your guests to overcrowd and have little space to move around. You also don’t want your homework to turn into a beverage coaster or getting drinks spilled on your laptop.

In other words, your mess, clutter, and all non-party essentials need to go. Ideally, you should keep your dorm room clean & tidy in the proper way. But we get it. So here are some “hacks” to clean up and free up space.

1. Keep all non-party related items out of sight. For example, school supplies, textbooks, dirty laundry, worn jeans, school backpack. Where to store them temporarily: closet, under your bed (in a box or cover with cloth), drawers.
2. Lock valuables in drawer or closet.
3. Vacuum the floor
4. Remove dust from surfaces: e.g. desktop
5. Keep pillows and blankets in the closet if you prefer to keep them clean

Responsibilities of the Party Host

Throwing a party is fun but it’s not all fun. There are tasks and responsibilities that a party host must bear.
Hosting Duties
The person that ties this party altogether is you — the host. It’s your room and you make the rules. You’re in charge of making this party successful but don’t feel too pressured. Greet your guests and thank them for coming. Introduce your guests to one another to make everyone feel comfortable. Make jokes, take song requests, challenge your guests to different activities, or just have a meaningful conversation with them. Once your guests loosen up, your party will surely be more fun. So, enjoy yourself, be confident, and accept that not everything will go as planned.
Maintaining cleanliness
Expect your place to be trashed. Your guests are likely to make a mess. Prepare a clean bathroom for your guests with loads of tissue paper and empty bins. If you’re not willing to clean up after the party, then don’t have one. Be ready with trash bags and cleaning products. If you don’t want rotten food smell stinking up in your place or sticky floor from dried up drinks, it’s best to clean up right away. It’s great that you decided to organize the event as a group, am I right? Now you have someone to help you clean up.

Conclusion

Parties are quintessential college experience. While hosting a party is probably easier for someone who lives off-campus or in a fraternity house, don’t let that deter you from having a little fun in your dorm. Remember not to break any rules and be considerate to others. If the housing rules don’t allow for a party, perhaps there’s a definition for partying in the rule book. Say the rule book defines partying as a gathering of more than 15 people, you can always plan a small party gathering with 10 guests.

Anyway, these are essential things to keep in mind when throwing a dorm room party. I hope you have a great party.

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The post Dorm Party Guide: How to Throw a Great Dorm Party appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

Entering college and moving to a dorm means total freedom from your parents. This independent lifestyle involves learning about all sorts of fun adulting stuff like doing the laundry and cleaning. Yup, there’ll be chores but don’t let that stop you from enjoying one of the most important phases of your life. You haven’t just unlocked a whole new level in the game of life — the game has now become open-world. You’ll have the liberty of making your own decisions on everything from your schedule, food, and education to making friends, partying, and relationships. On top of those, you’ll also have the unique experience of living with people that you may or may not like at all.

Things to Know 👉 Dorm Life: What You Should Know Before and During Living at a College Dorm

Living in a dorm is vastly different from your personal bedroom. That can either turn into a teenage dream or a brutal nightmare. So, here’s a survival guide to help you steer away from making the wrong decisions AND make the best out of your stay. Master this list and live a worry-free dorm life!

1. Research dorm choices

This tip is for students who are still deciding which dorm hall to move to.

Some colleges multiple dorm choices. Their locations and prices could be different. Other factors you shouldn’t overlook is the room condition and the social aspect of the dorm halls. The official information can be biased. One dorm research hack is to ask the current students. They’ve been living your future life, so ask them for their first-hand experience. Which dorms are the quietest? Which dorms have the most social energy? And which dorms are the scariest? You’ll get some answers that will serve as useful data points. And you’ll be able to make a more informed decision based on the info you’ve gathered.

Not sure who to ask specifically? Here are three ways to reach out to current students: high school alumni, forums, and social media. If the college you’re going to is close to your hometown, there are likely alumni from your high school who are attending the same college. Your next best bet is online forums. Try Reddit, official or unofficial forums for your college. If all fails, you can always seek out current students on social media like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

2. Moving to dorm packing tips

When you’re ready to move to the dorm, pack only the essentials. Bring only what you need because you wouldn’t want your room looking all messy with the unnecessary clutter you bring from home. Here’s a list of the most important things to pack:-

• ID – this is the single most important thing to bring. If you’re allowed to take only one item with you, bring your ID.
• Other important documents. E.g. college admission letter, dorm hall payment receipts etc.
• Money
• Clothes
• Winter clothes
• Socks
• Undergarments
• Laptop computer
• School supplies – pen, pencils, erasers, ruler, backpack, tote bag, stapler, etc.
• Pillow case, bolster case, blanket – you don’t have to bring these if the dorm provides them
• Face wash and other skincare products. Shower gel etc.
• Deodorant & body spray or fragrance. First impression is important and smelling bad can hurt your self-confidence. Speaking of deodorant. Have you heard of Tawas powder?

Another helpful tip is to review the list of prohibited items. Every dorm has its own rules, but some common restricted items are candles, matchsticks, and halogen lamps.

For more complete pack list ideas, check out these articles.

• What to Bring to College: The Ultimate College Packing List – CollegeInfoGeek
• The Ultimate College Packing Checklist – Unpakt
• What to Bring to College: The Best College Packing List Ever – HerCampus
• Minimalist College Packing List – Vivid Gift Ideas

3. Organize your dorm room

You probably have an average-sized dorm room. The room won’t be spacious, so you have to figure out how to utilize every square inch of your room. Usually, dorms don’t allow drilling holes on the wall and have strict restrictions on renovations. So portable storage solutions like plastic boxes and drawers are your best friends.

To start off, reclaim the space under your bed. You’re probably already storing your luggage bags in there. You can put storage boxes there for things that you don’t need to access frequently. For example, winter clothes when it’s out of season and extra school supplies. In addition, you might want to invest in a standing shelf or a bookcase that would help make your room more organized. Read this article for more dorm room organization tips.

Having more storage space means that your desktop is less likely to get cluttered. Without clutter on your desk, you can stay focused and study effectively.

4. Dorm life hack: befriend your roommate.

Getting on your roommate’s good side may just be the best decision you can make during your stay. Your roommate should be like your other half and ally. On the worst days, your roommate will be the first person to cover up for you or defend you. Start by talking to them (here’s a list of topics to talk to a new friend), share what you have, and respect their personal space. Your dorm life would definitely suck if you don’t like the person you’re living with. See this dorm life tip if this whole buddy-buddy approach doesn’t work out.

Read also: 21 Things to Do in Dorm Room When Bored

5. Be honest with your preferences.

Befriending your roommate is only the first step. The second step is to communicate your preferences on crucial issues like sleeping, privacy, dorm rules, and studying. It’s best to be upfront on the first day so you don’t catch yourselves in a misunderstanding later. If you don’t like people sleeping over or bringing alcohol inside the room, don’t beat around the bush and say it directly.

6. Your dorm life will be much easier if you’re kind to your RA.

You’ll have it easier if your RA is your friend. Some dorms have rigorous rules, but your RA can let some of them slip if you’ve been kind to them. They’ll be more understanding if you come home past your curfew or if you want to throw a little dorm party. Even if you don’t a

7. Decorate your room.

You’ll be living here for quite some time, so why not decorate your room to your taste. The comfort of your home’s bedroom is somewhere far away. Your dorm room is your new home now. Make sure that your dorm room becomes a place you want to come home to every day. Here are some dorm decor resources:-

• 21 Pink Dorm Room Decor
• 25 Chic College Dorm Room Ideas for Girls
• 30 College Dorm Decorating Ideas – DecorBuddha

8. Clean up after yourself.

Whether you’re throwing a party or just eating pizza, always clean up after yourself and do it immediately. Your mom’s not here and you’re sharing the space with other people. Don’t get into arguments for being lazy and dirty. Maintaining cleanliness is a sign of respect for other people and it keeps everyone safe and healthy.

9. Master the laundry

If you don’t want to go to class looking and smelling like a smelly dish rag, remember to change and wash your clothes. No, perfume isn’t going to fix the odor coming off from the top you’ve been wearing for the past three days.

You also need to pay more attention to how to properly wash your clothes. One pro-tip is to not let your laundry basket overflow. It’s better to wash small batches than work harder on a big pile. It prevents you from running out of something to wear and making your room stench of dirty clothes. Second, pay attention to washing instructions. If you don’t do this carefully, you’ll be surprised that your favorite sweater has reduced from a large to a small or your whites getting all stained up. Other garments such as the leather jacket require more specific care and you should spend time learning how to care for them.

10. Bring your own toiletries.

One of the biggest cons of dorm life is a shared bathroom. You have no idea what kind of nasty habits other people have or how thorough the cleaning personnel cleans the bathrooms. The dorm might provide some soap and what not but those can easily be contaminated. Avoid unpleasant surprises by bringing your own toiletries, especially towels, bar soaps, and bathroom slippers.

11. No snacks, no life: dorm room snacking tips.

Rule #1 of dorm life: never run out of snacks. Snacking is a serious topic, especially when you’re a student or if you work from home. Why? Here are some important reasons:-

• It fixes your hunger – hunger affects your mood and performance
• Snacking provides the instant energy boost that you urgently need
• It’s super convenient
• Healthy snacks provide nutrients that your brain and body need to function optimally

Snacks come in handy when you’re too lazy to go out, the cafeteria’s closed, or it’s past your dorm’s curfew. Maintain a healthy supply of healthy snacks in your room at all time. Here are some healthy and easy snack ideas perfect for students:-

• Healthy Dorm Room Snacks – NuGo
• Your Cheat Sheet to Healthy Dorm Room Snacking – Pinnacle Health
• 16 Healthy Snacks To Keep In Your Dorm – The Oddysey Online

Other options are easy-open canned food, instant noodles, chips, and microwaveable food. Eating healthy is important but sometimes junk food can really improve your mood.

12. Thug life: dorm transfer is totally normal

Make friends, be sociable, be considerate. You can be the best person in the world but you can’t control how your roommate or other members of the dorm behave. Other people aren’t necessarily as considerate as you are. Sometimes they can be noisy, dirty, or worse – stealing from you.

The bottom line is if you feel unhappy and uncomfortable, you can always request for a transfer to another room or hall. In some special cases, the college administration may even allow you to move off-campus early. Your happiness and your academic success should come first. The social life is toxic anyway if you’re constantly feeling stressed and unhappy. Remember to always put yourself before others.

Read also: Things to Know About Staying in a Dorm

Life at Dorm: Good or Bad?

No matter where you are in life, or whether you have stayed at a college dorm before, what do you think of the life at dorm based on what you know? Do you think it’s a fun experience and a friendship incubator like many people (and dorm brochure) claim? Or do you think it’s too draconian to require freshmen and juniors to stay in dorm?

Anyhow, if you’re living the dorm life right now or are moving to a dorm, I hope the tips above will help you become a successful dorm dweller.

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BONUS: Dorm life videos on Youtube

The post 12 Things to Know about Dorm Life appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

Related: Dorm Room Study Tips

Let’s take a look at some tips that will turn your dorm room into an oasis of cleanliness.

1. Create a cleaning schedule

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

College students can be a spontaneous bunch. But there are two things that students aren’t usually spontaneous about — studying and cleaning. Your room will never be tidy if you only clean up when “you’re free” because, let’s be honest, nobody is ever free to do the cleaning. Chances are you have other fun things to do during your free time.

So plan ahead. Create some kind of cleaning schedule. The best time to plan the cleaning schedule is at the beginning of the semester after your class schedule is fixed.

Identify your allies. Recruit your roommates if you have any. Discuss with your roommates and see how they feel about sharing the tasks and responsibilities. Split the weekly chores evenly or alternate the person on-duty for weekly cleaning. To avoid conflicts, you should all agree on a solution that works for all of you. Set specific tasks and assign them among yourselves. Create a visual board to make it easier to see who’s doing what and when.

Unfortunately, a good, cooperative roommate is hard to come by. If your roommate isn’t exactly big on keeping things neat, you would simply have to focus on your own space.

Make this a fun activity. Use stickers or take pictures during the cleaning process (before and after photos). Give yourself a little reward at the end of the cleaning session. For example, watch some Youtube videos or enjoy your favorite snack.

2. Focus on small repetitive tasks

It’s easier to keep a room clean if you do it every day. Instead of taking the whole Saturday to clean up the mess from the entire week, you might feel less stressed if you do it daily for 15 minutes. You will feel encouraged to keep the room clean knowing you only have to dust the furniture today and do laundry tomorrow.

Small tasks are also easier to plan for. You can squeeze in a little cleaning work no matter how your class schedule looks like. The other advantage of cleaning daily is the sense of accomplishment it provides.

3. Dust

Dust is the accumulation of fine particles from dirt, dead cells, fabric, etc. To remove dust, use a rag and some mild soap to wipe off the surfaces in your room. For example, your bed frame, containers, chair, and desk. You can also use a feather duster, vacuum, or some wet wipes. Some wet wipes have antibacterial properties so they are ideal for objects or surfaces that you frequently touch, such as your mouse, closet handles, and desktop. However, wet wipes aren’t eco- and cost-friendly, so use them when you have to.

4. Vacuum the floor

Depending on how quickly your room gets dirty, you might have to vacuum your room every few days or every week. Before vacuuming, remove items that are in the way. For example, that laundry basket and your school bag will have to go elsewhere. Another approach if you have the floor space is to just move things around as you vacuum.

5. Clean the bathroom

On-campus dorms don’t usually mandate students to clean the bathroom. However for rare cases, here are some quick tips.

First of all, you’ll need gloves. Gloves help protect your hands from harmful chemicals. Next, you’ll need a scrub brush, a toilet bowl cleaner, a toilet brush, and multi-surface cleaning spray. Of course, you might not need to purchase these items if they are provided. If you have to clean the bathroom yourself, the silver lining is that chances are you’re on rotation with a few other students.

Here are some ideas to help keep your dorm room tidy and organized.

6. Make your bed

Making your bed makes your room looks more pleasant. It is also a psychological hack that makes you feel more accomplished — which snowballs into a productive day.

Even if you don’t get anything else done that particular day, coming back to your room and finding a tidy bed is an irreplaceable feeling of comfort. One that will make everything feel better.

Making your bed is the perfect start to a tidy room. Covering your bed sheets means your sheets are protected against dust. Having said that, if you tend to sweat when you sleep, you might want to leave your bed sheets uncovered to let it dry.

7. Organize your desk

Some people thrive with a messy desk. Unfortunately, some students think they do but they don’t. A messy desk may help when you’re trying to get creative, but the mess is definitely a distraction when you’re trying to stay focus. And studying is one of those activities that require you to focus.

First off, keep only what is essential on your desktop. Ideally, when you’re trying to focus, everything non-essential should be out of sight. The proverb out of sight, out of mind is true. Your mind is less likely to get distracted by things that you don’t see.

Keep in mind to disinfect the desk because your hands will constantly touch this surface. So it’s important to maintain its cleanliness.

• 7 Tips to Declutter Your Desk – Inc.com
• Why and How You Should Disinfect Your Desk – University Hospitals

8. Find a home for everything

A home is where an item remains when it’s not being used. For example, the home for your stapler could be in the top drawer of your desk. Every time you’re done using an item, make the effort to put the item back to its home. A homeless item is destined to become part of the mess because there’s simply nowhere to keep it. Designating a home for everything also makes your life so much easier when you need to find something.

• A place for everything and everything in its place

9. Storage: containers, drawers, organizers

The typical dorm room only provides the bare necessities. You usually get a bed, a smallish closet, a desk with 1-3 drawers, and a chair. So as much as you’d like to designate a home for all your stuff, there’s simply not enough organized storage space for your items to call home. To overcome this problem, you need to set aside a $50-$200 budget to buy some organizers, containers, and furniture. Here’s what we recommend.

Containers

A cheap and perfect way to put that space under the bed to full use. Plastic containers with lids are the way to go. Containers made of other materials work too but they are usually more expensive and don’t always come with a cover. You probably need 2-3 containers to start things off. You can always buy more if you have more stuff to keep. Plastic containers are the ideal storage solution for past-semester class notes, art supplies, shower supplies, letters from your ex, etc. Another advantage of the plastic container is that it’s stackable and extremely friendly to move around — a feat you’ll find useful when it’s time to move out from the dorm.

Trolley / Drawers with Wheels

As mentioned in one of the previous tips, it’s important to keep your desktop uncluttered. For things that you don’t often use, you can store them in the desk drawers. However, for things that you need to access somewhat frequently, opening and closing the drawers can get old fast, for you and your roommates. This is where the trolley shines. While the trolley doesn’t provide great protection against dust (because it’s open), you can put your stuff in it and push it out of your sight when you’re studying at the desk. Some ideas for the things to put on the trolley’s top tier are: complementary notes, calculator, stationery, mug, and phone. Trolleys are also a great way to keep your skincare products.

The trolley’s open-air design is a double-edged sword. You get easy access to the items you store, but you get some amount of dust on them. For closed storage solution, consider drawers on wheels and multi-tiered plastic containers.

Organizers

Drawers and closet space can become a huge mess themselves. To make these spaces more effective, get yourself some organizers. For organizing your drawers, you can either go for store-bought options or DIY. As for the closet, if it’s a continuous space inside the closet with no drawers, you can stack some plastic containers (or drawers) inside. Another little gadget that will compartmentalize your dorm closet is the hanging shelf. In exchange for a small horizontal space, you gain valuable organized vertical spaces for scarves, socks, underwear, tampons, etc.

• DIY Closet Organization Ideas – Life Storage Blog
• DIY Drawer Organizer – The Homes I Have Made

10. Do the dishes as soon as possible

This tip is dedicated to dorm dwellers who have access to a full or partial kitchen (lucky you!). A pileup is the worst thing you see when you enter the kitchen. Doing the dishes shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. It wouldn’t take 5 minutes if you’re washing them right after you use them. And you can listen to your favorite music or podcast while doing this. Your near-future self will thank you for being so considerate to her.

Further Reading & Videos

A Dozen Tips for Super Organized Dorm Room – Apartment Therapy

For many people, living in the dorm is one of the first steps into adulthood. You’re the one who sets the rules, the one who has to enforce them, and most importantly, stick to them even when you don’t feel like it. Like many things in life, consistency is crucial in keeping a space clean. Get used to a cleaning routine and you’ll soon discover that being organized is not at all difficult.

More Dorm Ideas

Living in a Dorm vs Living at Home: Pros & Cons

21 Pink Dorm Room Decor

The post 10 Dorm Room Cleaning and Organizing Tips appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

1. Things to Do Alone
2. Relaxing Things to Do
3. Fun Things to Do
4. Things to Do with Friends

6 Things to do alone in your dorm room

Activities you can do without anybody else’s involvement.

1. Do your nails.

Your hands aren’t only for writing essays and your feet aren’t just for walking. Make them more noticeable by popping some colors on your nails.

Fun things to do with your nails:-

• Trim & file your nails
• Remove old nail polish
• Apply nail polish on your nails
• Put nail stickers on your nails
• Do some nail artwork – get inspiration from these cute nail ideas

2. Take a long, hot shower.

Your morning showers are probably either very quick or nothing at all. Use this time to scrub your whole body and soak your hair in the conditioner. Taking a long, hot shower will make you feel refreshed and relaxed — especially on a cold winter day.

As you wind down, take a moment to be grateful for this little oasis in time and life.

3. Take care of your face

We don’t always give enough love and care to our faces. Sometimes you’re rushing for assignments, other times you have to study for exams. When you’re busy, you tend to not pay attention to the skin condition of your face. Now that you have free time, you might want to give your face some love. We’ll need an entire article for this, but here is a summary of what you can do.

Start by examining your face in the mirror. How does it look? Are there signs of dryness or oily patches? Any new wrinkles or other skin conditions you should take note of? Do you observe any leftover makeup from last night, or worse, from last week?

If your skin appears to be overly dry or oily, you may have to change some of the skincare products that you’re using or watch your diet.

Cleanse your face properly. First, use some makeup remover (e.g. Micellar water) to remove makeup residue and stubborn dirt from your face. Next, wash your face with your regular face wash. Remember to take the time to wash properly. After that, it’s time to remove dead skin cells from your face by exfoliating. Chemical exfoliation is recommended. After cleaning your face, apply toning lotion and moisturizer.

4. Learn new make-up tricks

You are the artist and your face is the canvas. If you are new to the makeup game, learn the basic theory of makeup, everything from applying foundation to how to remove makeup. If you’re already wearing makeup, find out what are some tricks and trends on Youtube. Learn different styles of makeup for different occasions. Instagram and Pinterest are also excellent sources of makeup tutorials and inspiration.

5. Go online shopping.

Gone were the days when shopping can only be done at a physical store. Nowadays if you don’t have time to shop at the mall, you can do it in the comfort of your room. Take your time to plan your shopping list. Compare prices without leaving your bed.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the money. Virtual window shopping can be just as fun. Keep track of the things that you want to buy by adding them to your wishlist. Maybe an angel would take notice of your wishlist and make them your birthday gifts.

If you’re trying to save money, focus on buying only what you need. Having said that, it’s always a good idea to tend to your needs and spoil yourself once in a while.

6. Plan your to-do list

Take out a piece of paper or download a task management app on your smartphone. Think about the tasks you need to do this week and write them down. If you’re into planning, go beyond the week. Plan for monthly tasks and things to do next month.

5 relaxing things to do in a dorm room

Bored but not really interested in doing anything stressful? Here are some ideas to help you relax / laze away.

1. Bored in the dorm room? Take a nap.

College student’s favorite pastime. Nothing beats a good afternoon nap. Don’t worry if it isn’t the afternoon, you have nothing else to do anyway! A little nap after breakfast is a guilty pleasure many secretly enjoy. Anyway, napping is a great way to catch up on the sleep you missed when rushing through assignments. So tuck in under your blanket and enjoy the nap like a baby. You’ve been working hard and you deserve a good nap.

2. Things to try: do yoga.

If you want to sweat without doing cardio, yoga is the solution. This is also a good way to connect to your inner self and improve your flexibility. There are a lot of video tutorials you can follow on the internet. For example, here are some awesome yoga Youtube channels to check out. So, get your stress out, calm down, and focus on your breathing.

3. Call for food delivery

Even the best food gets boring if it is the same every week. The dining hall is convenient but the food can get a little too predictable. Since you don’t have much to do, you might as well have a little food party by yourself in the room by ordering your favorite food delivery. Pizza? Chicken? Chinese food? The only thing you need to do is pick up your phone, call the hotline, and wait for your food. Of course, you can also place the order online — the go-to way to order for people with social anxiety (which is more common than you thought).

4. Binge-watch your favorite series.

One TV episode usually lasts for an hour and you might not have that much free time on a normal day. Here’s some good news for you. Being bored means you have lots of free time at your disposal. This makes it the best time to catch up on all the shows you’ve missed. So, it’s time for Netflix.

5. Listen to music. Sing along.

Turn up the volume. Feel the rhythm of the music. Dance to the beat. Pretend you’re on American Idol. Sing (or scream) your favorite songs at the top of your lungs.

5 fun things to do when you’re bored in your dorm room

Here are some activities that will stimulate your creativity.

1. Plan for a dorm room makeover.

You’re probably bored of the look of your dorm room. Scroll through Pinterest, get some room decor ideas, and create a new layout for your room. If you have a roommate, get her on board, too.

2. Watch a tutorial on Youtube.

What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn? Painting? Knitting? Go on Youtube and watch some tutorials. If you have the materials that are waiting to be used, it’s the perfect time to try them out.

3. Make a vision board.

Try to set your goals for the year, for the next 5 years, or even for the next ten years. Prepare a board, an old magazine, scissors, and glue. Cut out all the things you want to have and make a collage out of it. Not sure where to start? Check out this article for some vision board ideas.

4. Start a vlog or Youtube channel

If you don’t have a good camera, start with your phone. Record yourself and talk to the camera as if there’s an audience. Even if you don’t plan to post it, you can use this opportunity to improve your speaking skills. If you want to post it, go ahead! This might be the start of your new career.

5. Do a fashion show.

With all the assignments and exams, you might not have noticed that you’re wearing the same clothes day after day. Use this time to go through the back of your closet, find your lost clothes, mix n’ match, and plan your outfits for the rest of the week.

6 things to do with a friend or roommate

Not alone? Check out these fun activities to do with your roommate or friends.

1. Play a game.

Any kind of game will be fun. You can play a board game like Scrabble or Monopoly. You can play card games or even trivial games with each other. If you have none of those, you’re likely to have access to a smartphone. Find some multiplayer mobile games and play with your friends.

2. Have a drink

We aren’t telling you to break the dorm rules, but if you can sneak in some alcohol into your dorm room, it would be great a time to drink with a friend. There’s nothing better than a cold beer in your safe space. Unlike house parties, there’s no rush and there’s no crowd.

3. Learn from each other

You can discover new things through each other like your major, hobbies to try, music to listen to, favorite restaurants to dine at, movies to watch, or professors to avoid. Find out what their zodiac signs are.

4. Plan your next trip

Planning an itinerary takes up time. So, do it now while you’re bored. Whether it’s your spring break or winter break travel, don’t go unprepared. Discuss with your friend all the activities you want to try, and sight-seeing places you want to visit. It works better if your friends will be participating in the trip. It can get a little strange if you’re getting them to plan for your solo trip.

5. Things to do: do a photo shoot.

There’s nothing to post on social media and selfies aren’t enough anymore. Since your friend’s here, do a photoshoot together. Take turns in taking each other’s pictures and direct each other’s poses.

6. Talk to your friends

Here are some conversation topics to get you started.

What would you do if you’re bored in your room?

What is your go-to activity when stuck in your dorm room?

Related Topics: Dorm, College

Related Articles:-

• Things to Know About Staying in a Dorm
• Living at Dorm vs at Home
• How to Keep Your Dorm Clean
• Things to Do When Bored at Home – WikiHow
• Fun Things to Do in Spring: 10 Springtime Activities Adults Will Love and Enjoy
• 5 Important Things To Do After The First Date

The post 21 Cool Things to Do in Dorm Room When You’re Bored appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

Take a deep breath. The first few days might be scary, and you’ll probably be homesick, but soon you’ll settle into a rhythm. You have the opportunity to make lifelong friends, but this might be the first time you’re living on your own, and who knows what you might have forgotten when packing for the adventure.

There are a few things you can do and things you should know about staying in a college dorm. Particularly as a freshman coming into the dorms, knowing these facts will make your life easier and less stressful.

1. Privacy
2. Noise
3. Conflict
4. Shower
5. Food

Know that you don’t have much privacy the dorm 

One of the adjustments people have the most trouble adapting to is the lack of privacy. While you might have had your own bedroom growing up, and many people are lucky enough to have their own bathroom, you’re usually going to have a roommate in college. Sometimes you just have to share a bathroom with a couple of other people, but more commonly the bathroom space is shared with other students from the same floor.

In addition to needing to transition to a more communal style of living, you often can’t “escape” those you’re living with. Walking across campus, you’re bound to see people you know. While this can provide a great sense of camaraderie, particularly as a college freshman, if you’re looking for a bit of anonymity, you’re going to have trouble finding it.

One of the ways to cope with a lack of privacy is to find an area away from the dorm where you can relax and recharge on your own. Some people use the library while others pick the back booth at a local coffee shop. Wherever you choose to go, make sure you can spend time reflecting on you, studying, or just taking a breather, rather than focusing on the people around you.

You should know that dorms can be noisy

When you’re in a building with college students of all levels, you’re bound to experience a little (or a lot) of noise. Most schools have restrictions and noise policies in place, so talk to your RA (residential assistant) about any concerns you have. Even with those policies in place, it’s quite likely that other students talking, music playing loud, and people practicing instruments can all contribute to noise levels.

There’s also the noise that occurs within your room. You might have a roommate that snores, or maybe she always has her boyfriend over. Regardless of the cause, it’s hard to get peace and quiet.

Most people can adapt to the noise levels, especially when they are controlled, but you might consider ways to limit the noise, particularly when you need to sleep or study for an exam. Using earplugs is a simple solution. Noise-canceling headphones can also help.

Get ready for personality clashes

That’s not to say that you are going to find yourself facing a personality clash, but you should be prepared for the fact that you aren’t always going to get along with everyone you meet on campus, particularly in the dorms, where you’re often stuck seeing each other regularly, such as with a roommate.

When you find yourself not seeing eye to eye with another person, you should take a minute to reflect on why you might be facing a bit of conflict. Is everyone stressed from preparing for midterms or is it just that each of your roommates is suddenly on their own without their normal support system in place?

If you can, sit down with the person you’re having trouble with and see if you can reach an understanding. It could be as simple as she needs to go to sleep by 10 PM for an early morning class, and you’re busy playing video games in the meantime, which could be frustrating for your roommate. Talk through possible solutions and do hesitate to get your Resident Assistant involved as a mediator.

When you’re in college, it’s hard to get away from conflict and potential problems. By being prepared with possible solutions and opening up your mind to different possibilities, you might find that things aren’t so bad.

Be ready with your shower essentials

Unless you are lucky enough to have a private bathroom or one shared with just a couple of people, shower time can take a little bit of planning. You won’t usually have a bathtub in the dorms; showers are usually the name of the game.

You are definitely going to want to be prepared for going into the communal showers by wearing waterproof shoes, such as flip-flops which can protect your feet from bacteria, plantar warts, athlete’s foot, etc.

You should also get yourself a waterproof shower caddy to carry your shampoos, conditioners, body wash or soap, razors, shaving cream, and anything else you might need. It’s a lot easier to lug the caddy around that trying to balance everything in your arms.
If you’re going to be walking down the hall from your dorm room to the showers, you should really consider getting a bathrobe. Walking with a towel that could easily slip is less than ideal.

What to eat when you live in the dorm?

Gone are the days where mom or dad happens to be fixing your meals. You’ll first want to evaluate the meal plans your school offers to see which one works best for you. If you have dietary restrictions, talk to the different food service workers to see what items you might be able to eat. You might even find some new places to eat at on-campus that you weren’t aware of.

If you can head to your nearest outlet store, such as Walmart or Target, or even just the grocery store, it’s a good idea to stock up on food and snacks that you will eat. It tends to be cheaper to buy a box of 6 granola bars from the grocery store than it is to by one or two bars from the student store.

When you’re living with someone, you will want to designate whose snacks are whose. Many rooms benefit from a communal pile of snacks, where you each contribute to the “pot” and can eat whatever you want out of it. Otherwise, label your foods and set up expectations that your food belongs to you. Maybe your roommate can’t get a ride to the store: you could offer them one and share a bonding experience while both of you get your own snacks.

Conclusion

Living in a dorm can be challenging, especially for incoming freshmen. There are plenty of resources you can use to smooth the transition, such as talking things over with your RA and finding quiet areas to study on your own.

The post Things to Know About Staying in a Dorm appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

Dorm vs Home: Where Should You Live in College If You Have a Choice – A Comparison

Entering your college days is one of the most exciting chapters of your life. You’re finally an adult and for the first time ever, you get to make your own choices. However, some of these choices are hard to make. Like deciding whether to live on campus or live at home. If you’re on the fence and trying to make this decision, here are the ups and downs of both to help you make the right choice.

1. Dorm Pros & Cons
2. Home Pros & Cons
3. Summary
4. Conclusion

Pros and Cons of Choosing the Dorm

Dorms are filled with lively college students pumped to be living on their own because let’s face it: it’s exciting! Moving into a dorm is many people’s first chance to live independently and away from parental supervision – which can be good and bad. So let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Pros. Moving into a dorm is liberating and empowering and will make you feel like a true adult. Cool, right? It’s also an easy gateway to make friends since you’ll have a roommate and others on your floor. Plus, many dorms have ice breaking events to help students meet one another. Another big perk is that you live on campus making all of college life more convenient. You can sleep in later without having to commute to campus for classes. One other benefit too good to ignore is the option to enjoy any campus amenities like a gym, community center, food court, pool, or other fun accessible perks your home may not offer.

Cons. Living in a dorm can provide unforgettable experiences, but it can also be quite expensive. If you opt for a budget-friendly dorm, you may sacrifice serious luxury and have a slummy space. Another downside is the possibility of a bad roommate or disrespectful neighbors. While you can request a roommate transfer or file complaints if things get bad, it’s not an ideal situation. Another thing to consider is that a dorm is inevitably full of constant distractions because you’re surrounded by friends at all times. It’s tempting to stray away from your studies if people are knocking on your door, so your grades could suffer.

Read also:-

• 6 Tips For Studying Effectively In Your Dorm Room
• 21 Pink Dorm Room Decor

Pros and Cons of Living at Home

Living at home may not sound like fun, but there are many smart reasons it works for students. If you are very close to your family or have younger siblings, it can be really hard to say goodbye and move away. And what about your pet? Pets like cats and dogs don’t live as long as we do, moving to the dorm would mean that you’re be missing huge chunks of their lives. Or, if you have a job or other obligations that are closer to your house, it makes sense to keep that as your home base. But let’s look at the good and bad of choosing to live at home in college:

Pros. The most obvious perk is that living at home is free. You’ll save on lodging but also food costs assuming your parents keep the fridge stocked. Rent and meals add up to a significant amount of money and big savings if you choose to live at home. It also provides a safe haven to escape from the chaos of college life. Sometimes living on campus can be overwhelming so if you are a private person, then take note. Plus, if you are someone who gets distracted easily, staying home will give you a better atmosphere to study and the potential to score higher grades.

Cons. Unfortunately if you live at home, you might feel like you’re missing out on your college experience. While all your friends stay on campus, you have to leave each night. That can be sad considering college is meant to be some of the best years of your life so you shouldn’t miss out on anything. Another big downside is that you add a commute to and from college each day. If you don’t live close to the college, you’ll waste a lot of hours in the car!

Read also: 20 Off To College Gift Ideas

Summary: Dorm vs Home

Which is Better: Dorm or Home?

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. It all depends on your budget, what you prioritize most, and the experience you’re looking to get out of college. If you only have classes a few days a week, then living at home is a smart option since the commute to campus is only part-time and you’ll save a ton of money in the long run. If you want to live in a dorm, you’re bound to have a fun time and if budget is an issue, consider becoming an RA or resident assistant or finding another student job to help pay for your lodging.

No matter what you choose, find solace in the fact that this living situation is not permanent. College is a whirlwind and every moment should be enjoyed because before you know it, it’s over! Simply choose the option that fits your desired lifestyle and pick the living arrangement that you want most. You won’t regret it!

The post Living in a Dorm vs Living at Home: Pros & Cons appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

Dorm Room Study Tips: How to Study Effectively without Leaving Your Room

We’ve all heard the warnings against studying in your room, but sometimes that’s just your style, how you like it – so you may as well do it right. In fact, it’s been proven numerous times that the negative effects brought on by going over the material where you sleep can be counteracted with some good habits. So, what are those good habits? Here are just a few aspects of your dorm room (and yourself,) that you can change and tweak to increase your chances of getting that A!

1. Get out of bed!

Seriously, this is crucial towards effective studying. Allocating your bed to sleep and sleep only is key to not only unwinding properly at the end of the day and thus boosting your brainpower but also preventing the possibility of distractions. Having a set place where you study that is separate from where you sleep allows you to get into ‘study-mode’ while leaving ‘sleep-mode’ for the bed itself. So, leave the snoozing for the sheets and not the studying.

2. Set your mind to your desk

According to studies, how to optimally organize your desk may largely depend upon what degree you are taking. If you’re in need of creative inspiration it might just be best to keep some tidbits and trinkets on your desk. Make it your own, give it your own personal flair and never run into a creative wall again! However, if you’re studying a more logical, exact subject – cleanliness is best. Without any clutter or ‘in-your-face’ colors, you’ll be able to focus on the subject or task at hand with ease.

3. Let the sunshine in

Continuing on with desks, consider scooting yours closer to the window. It’s only natural that humans can focus better in naturally lit environments in comparison to artificial lighting and science confidently backs it up. So, though you might not feel like it sometimes, throw open your curtains not only illuminate and sharpen your dorm space but your mind too.

This point stands especially true for those crammed and low-space dorm rooms. Being able to look out into the open world will not only provide you with inspiration but also the clarity of mind needed to hit the books! So, avoid lamps and switching on lights when possible. Try studying during daylight hours unless you have to cram into the night of course!

4. Keep the place clean

You’re probably getting the idea by now. Even if you can have a bit of clutter leeway with your desk, the same doesn’t stand for your room. So, once you’re out of bed for the day, make it. Clear away everything and certainly clear up anything such as plates or takeaway boxes that bring different smells into the small, enclosed space. Dorm rooms have a tendency to trap unsavory and dingy smells making them an unpleasant environment to be in. To make your study process more enjoyable and fruitful, consider picking up some scented candles or an infuser. Or perhaps even open up a window and let the fresh air do the job for you!

The most important step of cleaning a small room is taking a good look around it and assessing what needs to be cleaned or removed (decluttering is recommended!) A few things to add to your to-do list are emptying the bins, sweeping and mopping the floor, organizing your closet, and wiping down surfaces – whatever leads to a cleaner and clearer environment! To make this step easier, consider allocating a certain place to all of your belongings and make a mental note of it. This mapping method will significantly decrease the time you need to clean things up — providing you with more time to focus on your studies!

The point of keeping your room clean is similar to the reason that natural light is beneficial during studying – it wipes the cobwebs from your mind and leads to sharper thought processes. So, do yourself a favor and start your Spring cleaning early!

After you’ve done decluttering and cleaning your room, be sure to add a dash of personality to it with some decoration.

5. Plan, plan, plan!

Having your room primed and ready for a study session is fantastic. You should be proud of yourself if you’ve gotten this far! But it’s not the end quite yet, the cleaning and organizing is just the foundation. As we know, it’s recommended that you study during daylight hours and some planning needs to be done to achieve this. If you have a roommate you may also have to work around their schedule or set down some a ground rule of allotted study hours to efficiently get your work done. Keeping track of reoccurring patterns in the noise level of the building is also recommended – studying during party hours could get frustrating!

So, start off with a rough copy plan to try the waters and test what works for you. From here you can work on perfecting your study schedule as time goes on – ensuring that you get the most information into your head and ace those tests!

6. In the case of a roommate …

As previously discussed, you’ll have to come to an agreement with any roommate/s you may have. Be sure to be reasonable with your requirements and give some leeway – it is college after all! Approaching your roommate in a warm and friendly way is the best method when negotiating for quiet hours. Be sure to work with their needs also, the smoother the negotiating process, the better for all involved in the long run! And of course, a calm, relaxed, and un-tense environment makes studying all that easier.

So, there you have it. It turns out that studying in the comfort of your own room may not be as big of a hindrance to your studies after all! The rumors may still be rife but I suggest you give it a go and get to cleaning and organizing as soon as possible! You’ll have your head in the books and be passing your tests in no time! Good luck!

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