College Level Organization: Part 2

Welcome Back to Part 2 of College Level Organization! 

Here you will be able to find even more products and tips this pro recommends for those heading off to dorm life! 

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Storage Drawers: 

A great use for these is to add storage under the bed  or at the bottom of a closet. These drawers can create extra space to store clothes, food, and other items, they are easy to move-in/move-out, you can store items in when the semester is over, and they're available in many different sizes, can accommodate any size dorm. The only downsides is that they are usually made of plastic, can break over time, especially if you store heavy items, and they cannot be overpacked. The benefits to me far outweigh the negative and they are an affordable way to gain even more storage. 

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Command Hooks/ Strips: 

For obvious reasons, colleges do not allow you to put holes in the wall, with the invention of Command hook/strips you can put up hooks, posters, pictures, and even small shelves with these removable strips. They are also easy to use, have a wide variety of weights they can hold, and come in a variety of options. The key when removing them is to be careful and slow, so that they do not rip paint off. In addition, with most dorms being constructed with cinder-block walls, sometimes they do not always stay for long periods of time, depending on the weight you are adding to the hook itself. It still is the easiest and most effective way to add some hooks, pictures, posters, etc, to your dorm room walls! 

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Drawer Organizers: 

Drawer Organizers are great because you can effectively use all the space in your drawers and also create zones for clothing items, office supplies, or even organize food items & electronics. They do require some commitment to maintain the order but defining spaces within your dorm will allow you to know how many items you can have. Plus it makes putting things a way a breeze!  

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Rolling Laundry Basket: 

I honestly went too long before I discovered this one. The benefit this creates is it doubles as a hamper and makes getting your laundry to the laundry room much easier. The only downside is you can't roll it down the stairs but you can just pick it up. As another tip, I always found the best times to actually do laundry are early in the morning (before everyone wakes up) or super late at night. 

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Bed Risers: 

Dorm beds come in a few options, some you can loft so high it is like having a bunk bed, while others only go as high as to stuff some things underneath. Bed risers allow you to get a few more inches of space, so that you can store more underneath your bed. In one dorm, I was able to store my college provided dresser, my trunk, another 3 drawer storage unit, and my shoe rack. The other benefit is that you can find risers with outlets, so that if your bed is blocking any you can still use them! 

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Additional Helpful Products: 

• Bins- I cannot say enough about bins, they are useful for storing items in your dorm, moving in & out, and storing items long term between semesters. They are more durable than moving boxes and will hold up for a longer period of time. 
• Surge Protectors- Surge protectors are a MUST! They create extra outlets but also make sure that whatever your plugging in will be safe. My sophomore year I plugged my computer into a regular outlet in my dorm and it created a power surge that fried my computer.....I never made that mistake again. 
• Over-the-door Organizer- If you have closet doors or you and your roommate can agree to using the main door, you can create additional storage by hanging an organizer over it. 
• Extra Shelving- If space allows getting a small utility rack in your dorm, can give you extra storage. In one dorm, I lived in I was able to create a TV stand high enough to see it from my bed and have storage for a gaming console, movies, and additional tech items.
• First Aid Kit- This may seem obvious but I can't tell you how many friends would show up at my door because they needed a band-aid. 
• Small Safe- I honestly think that getting a safe is a must for everyone, but when your living in a dorm there are more spaces that are communal than in an apartment or house. Having a safe can give you the piece of mind to keep important documents and items out of other peoples hands. 
• Mattress Topper- Ok let's get real honest here, dorm mattresses are absolutely awful! They are thin, plastic, and uncomfortable. Getting a mattress topper will allow you to get a good nights sleep on any dorm mattress. 
• Fans- Unlike at home dorm temperature settings are controlled by the college. This usually means that the heat turns on too soon and shuts off too late. Having a fan or even multiple fans will help keep the temp a little better, when it's still warm and they have turned on the heat to 70. 

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Tips to Excel at Dorm Life: 

As I have said throughout this series, I am a former dorm dweller, though it has been a while since I have lived in a dorm there are a few things to this day I still feel are the best decisions I made. 

• Store-Pick Up- When I was going to college only one store had store pick-up in any location which was Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Since then almost every store has it. To reduce the amount of items you have to haul from your house, order items you need at a store near your college, then pick them up when you are done moving in all your stuff. Saves time and effort! 
• Dorm Insurance- This one is a lifesaver! When I plugged my computer into a dorm outlet and fried it, having dorm insurance allowed me to get a brand new computer with very little out-of-pocket insurance. The cost is pretty low and it protects everything you have from theft, damage, and sometimes even loss. College will usually put the provider they work with in your welcome package. 
• Customization- Being away from home, some for the first time, can be hard. Customizing your side of the dorm with photos, posters, artwork, can help you feel like you have a space of your own. This is important when you are feeling homesick or pulling an all-nighter and need some comfort. 
• Bring your own Fridge- Many colleges offer fridge rentals and though they may seem convenient you are going to end up paying way more in the long run than just getting your own fridge. Plus, you don't have to worry about the long list of conditions the fridge needs to be returned in. 

I hope you enjoyed all these tips and tricks from a former dorm dweller turned organizing pro! 

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