Another semester is starting at ETSU, which means a couple of things. There are going to be more people on campus, the dining hall is going to be more crowded and many will be moving into dorms. Some are facing something they have never done before: setting up a living space.
If you want some advice on what to do, this article offers exactly that! It should be noted that each dorm building varies and some of the dorms will have amenities that others do not. What worked for my dorm may not work for yours.
When setting up a dorm, there are two essential items to bring with you: storage methods and cleaning supplies. Almost all the supplies for both categories can be easily found at places like the dollar store. The most important item overall is storage. For the Clement dorms, we have a closet, a desk, and a nightstand with a drawer. While that is not a bad amount of built-in storage, using that space can still be difficult.
If your closet has a hanging bar, a set of drawers and two shelves above it, then you can use a drawer or two collapsible cubbies to store the things you do not use regularly, such as laundry soaps and large hygiene items, like that industrial-size shampoo bottle.
The drawers can be customized however is needed, but as someone who has a tough time opening the top two, I used those for irregularly used items as well. The closet is decently easy to figure out, though I highly recommend using hanging collapsible cubbies for items like shower caddies, room sprays, trash bags and other small items that are used regularly. If it can fit without effort and is not something you use daily, the closet is probably the best place for it to go.
As for the rest of the room, it depends on what you have and what you need. If you tend to stock up on school supplies, that drawer nightstand is the perfect place for all of them! You can find cheap trays or even cups that are great for holding items so that it is easy to quickly find a pencil.
If you do not have a kitchen in your dorm, having your bed raised to allow for a mini-fridge and microwave is a great idea to not clutter up the space. Small egg crates that interlock make for great open storage for spices, canned items and ramen. Another good option is to use drawer carts for more items. The last thing is the sink. For my dorm, I didn’t have a lot of counter space, so I only kept out what I used daily (with everything else being stored in the closet) and used suctioning trays to hold a sponge for dishes, a hairbrush, a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Once storage has been taken care of, cleaning comes into the picture. It can be hard to keep your dorm clean, but oftentimes a clean room and a somewhat regular routine can help mental and physical health. It differs from person to person, but must-haves include a broom and dustpan, dish sponges, a clothing hamper (preferably with wheels), disinfectant wipes, one or two trashcans, and paper towels. While not necessary, I would also recommend disinfectant spray as it can be good for spraying down bigger items.
Aside from all the necessary things comes the fun stuff! My favorite things include a rug, seat cushions, plants, wall decor, a calendar and a whiteboard to make it feel a bit more like home. The rugs and cushions will make the area you spend the most time in more comfortable when hanging out with friends, reading or watching TV and will give you an alternate space to work in besides the bed.
Keeping the bed separate from working and relaxing is perfect for making sure you are getting the sleep you need! The calendar and whiteboard make it easier to communicate with roommate(s), or, if you don’t have any, keep track of information and dates. It can be a fun way to get to know the people living in your building by hanging a board on the outside of your door as well.
I’ve seen one dorm whiteboard that regularly took votes on different bands each week and listed past winners. Above anything else though, I would insist on labeling. It doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re rushing to class, finding a quick breakfast is easy when you know which drawer has the pop tarts. There are multiple ways to do that, and it can be fun to customize them. I’ve gotten many compliments on the baby Yoda sticker on my “Drinky Drawer”!
Hopefully, this article either helps you settle into your new space or gives your ideas on how to use that space! Each person is different and has different needs, wants and budgets and should do what makes them happy and comfortable at the end of the day.
A dorm is a place to relax and exist away from the world like any other home and making it feel like one can make the entire college experience better. Now you’ve settled in and you’re ready for an amazing year at ETSU!
