February 15th, 2010

When you are used to living in a house where you socialize in the living room and go to your own room when you want privacy, combining the two can be an adjustment. College students who live in dorms find that it is not only their room, but also their living room, kitchen, office, and bathroom. The thought of such close quarters can be overwhelming and may leave you wondering how you will be able to properly function day to day, let alone survive the entire year in such a small space. The key to survival is being able to utilize your space in both your dorm room and the communal bathrooms.

You may find yourself staring at your new dorm room wondering how you are going to fit everything in such a compact space. Then you remember that you also have a roommate, so now you are wondering how you are going to fit everything in only half of such a compact space. If you find yourself about to have a panic attack at the thought of it, remember that you only need to keep the essentials. If you think you absolutely have to bring your yoga mat to school, you should reconsider. After all, where would you find the room to even attempt a sun salutation? Utilize the space that you have by filling it only with what you need and by creating more space. This means that you should consider the area between your bed and the floor closet storage and fill the shelves above your desk with textbooks and not pictures.

Living in a dorm also means sharing a bathroom with quite a few people and there isn’t much privacy involved. Having the right shower resources can help make your bathing experience more efficient. First, you will need a shower caddy that is easy to carry and dry off. A compartmentalized one will help keep your toiletries in place and readily available. You will also need a pair of rubber flip-flops to protect your feet from the bacteria and fungus that lives on the bathroom floors. Make sure you get a pair that completely cover your feet, have a non-slip bottom, and are easy to clean. Since you will spend a lot of time walking from your room to the bathroom you will also need a good terrycloth bathrobe. It will not only keep you warm out of the shower, but the absorbent material will help you to dry off faster.

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