6 answers
Olivia
Student
Syracuse, New York
1
Question
Updated
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Advice on staying organized in a dorm?
What are some tips on keeping things organized in a dorm? #dorm #college #college-advice
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6 answers
Taylor Teeters
Financial Advisor
41
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Olivia,
Here are a few tips that I would give you to keep your dorm room organized:
1. Designate a Kitchen Area: When I was in college, my roommate and I got a stand for all things kitchen - this is where we would keep microwave, bowls, napkins, etc. including food. Make sure to keep all things food/kitchen corralled in one space!
2. Utilize under the Bed Storage: Get some cute bins to slide under your bed for those things that you don't use every day (maybe it's clothing that's not in season, or a first aid kit that you don't need every day)
3. Utilize vertical space: Over the door shoe racks are an awesome way to get your shoes off the floor, and can also be used to store things like scarves, mittens, socks, toiletries, etc. Over the door towel racks and hooks (command hooks are key!) are also great for organization.
4. Desk organization: Get a desk organizer for the top of your desk so you can utilize any desk drawer in addition to that! Any kind of plastic organizer like this is great on your desk for sharpies, highlighters, sticky notes, and getting your other accessories organized.
Get creative and take a trip to the Container store for extra inspiration. Best of luck!
Here are a few tips that I would give you to keep your dorm room organized:
1. Designate a Kitchen Area: When I was in college, my roommate and I got a stand for all things kitchen - this is where we would keep microwave, bowls, napkins, etc. including food. Make sure to keep all things food/kitchen corralled in one space!
2. Utilize under the Bed Storage: Get some cute bins to slide under your bed for those things that you don't use every day (maybe it's clothing that's not in season, or a first aid kit that you don't need every day)
3. Utilize vertical space: Over the door shoe racks are an awesome way to get your shoes off the floor, and can also be used to store things like scarves, mittens, socks, toiletries, etc. Over the door towel racks and hooks (command hooks are key!) are also great for organization.
4. Desk organization: Get a desk organizer for the top of your desk so you can utilize any desk drawer in addition to that! Any kind of plastic organizer like this is great on your desk for sharpies, highlighters, sticky notes, and getting your other accessories organized.
Get creative and take a trip to the Container store for extra inspiration. Best of luck!
Lynn Nguyen
Product Mananger
2
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
If you can, keep your off-season clothes at home (EX: if it's summer/spring, keep your fall/winter clothes at home and switch out when the weather changes). Also, use 3M removable hooks to hang up items (hats/jackets/lanyards/keys/etc) so you save desk/floor space and have easy access to the most-used items.
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
711
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Olivia:
Getting organized will help make living with a roommate tolerable. Here are a few more tips in addition to the ones already shared:
1) Use a Toolbox to Secure Important Documents - - When I was in college I used a medium size toolbox with a lock to secure my important documents, financial aid material, money, valuable jewelry (ie, class ring).
2) Make the Most of Your Closet Space - - Create as much room as possible with thin felt hangers. Or add a hanging closet organizer to store sweaters, jeans, and shoes.
3) Use a Rolling Cart as a Side Table - - A rolling cart is a smart bedside option for dorm rooms of all sizes. The shelves on the cart can hold a small fan, books, and an alarm clock while also providing room beneath for additional storage.
4) Get More Storage with a Desk Hutch - - Your dorm room desk can do double duty with the addition of a hutch! Desk hutches come in all sizes and add plenty of storage space for textbooks, school supplies, and electronics. Small boxes, wicker baskets, and magazine holders can be placed on top for extra storage.
5) Label Totes with Shared Supplies - - One great dorm organization idea is to keep shared items like first-aid items, toiletries, and cleaning materials in clear plastic containers. This makes it easy for you and your roommate to find everything you need and know when you’re running low on certain items!
6) Roll Clothing to Save Dresser Space - - Save space in your dresser drawers by rolling your clothing. This unique folding technique allows you to store twice as many shirts and pants in a single drawer, and it can even prevent awkward wrinkles! My daughter does this all the time; whether in college and not in college.
There are many ways to stay organized and I help these few tips were helpful. Best of luck to you!
Dorm Room Organization Tips • https://www.extraspace.com/blog/life-transitions/college/declutter-your-dorm-room-with-these-26-organization-ideas/
Getting organized will help make living with a roommate tolerable. Here are a few more tips in addition to the ones already shared:
1) Use a Toolbox to Secure Important Documents - - When I was in college I used a medium size toolbox with a lock to secure my important documents, financial aid material, money, valuable jewelry (ie, class ring).
2) Make the Most of Your Closet Space - - Create as much room as possible with thin felt hangers. Or add a hanging closet organizer to store sweaters, jeans, and shoes.
3) Use a Rolling Cart as a Side Table - - A rolling cart is a smart bedside option for dorm rooms of all sizes. The shelves on the cart can hold a small fan, books, and an alarm clock while also providing room beneath for additional storage.
4) Get More Storage with a Desk Hutch - - Your dorm room desk can do double duty with the addition of a hutch! Desk hutches come in all sizes and add plenty of storage space for textbooks, school supplies, and electronics. Small boxes, wicker baskets, and magazine holders can be placed on top for extra storage.
5) Label Totes with Shared Supplies - - One great dorm organization idea is to keep shared items like first-aid items, toiletries, and cleaning materials in clear plastic containers. This makes it easy for you and your roommate to find everything you need and know when you’re running low on certain items!
6) Roll Clothing to Save Dresser Space - - Save space in your dresser drawers by rolling your clothing. This unique folding technique allows you to store twice as many shirts and pants in a single drawer, and it can even prevent awkward wrinkles! My daughter does this all the time; whether in college and not in college.
There are many ways to stay organized and I help these few tips were helpful. Best of luck to you!
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Warren Smith
Project Manager
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Warren’s Answer
Hi Olivia,
One bit of advice on staying organized in a dorm is a place to keep your dirty laundry that will not make for uneasy moments in your room. Depending on your dorm layout, you may have a closet with just enough room to put a laundry bag or hamper. You may not want to keep dirty laundry out near your bed or others so keep a freshner handy (again, depending on the dorm setup). In addition, a way to get your laundry from the dorm to the laundromat. On laundry day, a sturdy rolling cart will be helpful to carry your laundry from the dorm to the laundromat.
I didn't have cart and my dorm did not have its' own laundromat so each Saturday morning, I made the trek across campus with laundry bag slung across my shoulder. Those were some good college moments as I would meet up with friends who were also walking to the laundromat and we would pass the time playing various games while at the laundromat.
Thank you for asking the question and have a successful time in college!
One bit of advice on staying organized in a dorm is a place to keep your dirty laundry that will not make for uneasy moments in your room. Depending on your dorm layout, you may have a closet with just enough room to put a laundry bag or hamper. You may not want to keep dirty laundry out near your bed or others so keep a freshner handy (again, depending on the dorm setup). In addition, a way to get your laundry from the dorm to the laundromat. On laundry day, a sturdy rolling cart will be helpful to carry your laundry from the dorm to the laundromat.
I didn't have cart and my dorm did not have its' own laundromat so each Saturday morning, I made the trek across campus with laundry bag slung across my shoulder. Those were some good college moments as I would meet up with friends who were also walking to the laundromat and we would pass the time playing various games while at the laundromat.
Thank you for asking the question and have a successful time in college!
Sanjana A
19
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Sanjana’s Answer
Hi! Here are some things that I think are a must to stay organized and clean:
- Handheld cordless vacuum
- Shower caddy
- Bathroom slippers
- Wipes to clean surfaces
- Mini shoe rack
- Laundry hamper
- Extension cords
- Lint rollers
- Handheld cordless vacuum
- Shower caddy
- Bathroom slippers
- Wipes to clean surfaces
- Mini shoe rack
- Laundry hamper
- Extension cords
- Lint rollers
Ursula Bartlett
Senior Administrative Specialist at Symantec
18
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ursula’s Answer
Hi Olivia,
A lot of dorm rooms come with desks w/drawers where you can file documents, stash school supplies leaving you with a nice work surface to spread out on and concentrate on your studies. It's handy to have a magnetic/dry erase board to keep track of project deadlines, test dates and study groups, not to mention the fact there probably is a phone app for that. I also found that it is good to do your assignments as soon as you can while it is still fresh.
One very important thing to remember is to back up any papers/projects that you have compiled on your computer on a flash or external hard drive. It is inevitable that computers fail just when you are about done and are dealing with multiple deadlines and keep in a secure location.
Good luck with your studies.
A lot of dorm rooms come with desks w/drawers where you can file documents, stash school supplies leaving you with a nice work surface to spread out on and concentrate on your studies. It's handy to have a magnetic/dry erase board to keep track of project deadlines, test dates and study groups, not to mention the fact there probably is a phone app for that. I also found that it is good to do your assignments as soon as you can while it is still fresh.
One very important thing to remember is to back up any papers/projects that you have compiled on your computer on a flash or external hard drive. It is inevitable that computers fail just when you are about done and are dealing with multiple deadlines and keep in a secure location.
Good luck with your studies.