How To Survive Your Dorm Room - Bed

The How To Survive Your Dorm Room saga continues! I've already shared how to survive your bathroom and closet, and now it's time for the fun part…your actual room! There's so much I can talk about, so I'm going to split this part of the series into two posts! Part 1: How To Survive Your Dorm Room - Bed. Stay posted for Part 2 (How To Survive Your Dorm Room - Everything Else)!

Your bed is one of the most important pieces in your dorm room, decoration and storage wise. Most people decorate their rooms around the bed, because it is the most noticeable piece in a dorm room. Here's how to make the most of your dorm room bed, starting from the basics:

1. Mattress pad

This is probably the most important (and overlooked) piece of bedding that you need. It doesn't matter how cute your bed looks if it's not comfortable to sleep on. Your mattress pad is the one thing that I recommend splurging on! You want to get the most comfortable thing you can! Dorm mattresses are not comfortable, in case you were wondering. I decided to go the cheap route and buy just a plain old mattress topper that I thought would be ok (note: it was not a Tempurpedic or any fancy brand). I was W-R-O-N-G! I barely slept for an entire week until my parents could bring me another one. My new mattress pad was a Laura Ashley Fiberbed, and it was like sleeping on top of a giant down pillow! My roommate, who had the same one, equated it to "being surrounded by little, tiny angels hugging you and telling you not to get out of bed." So, the moral of the story is don't be cheap like I was, and go ahead and buy a good mattress pad. Don't forget your mattress protector while you're at it!

2. Sheets

I bought every single cute set of sheets that was not outrageously expensive. Problem numero uno was that I didn't need ten sets of sheets. Problem numero dos was that I bought mainly twin size sheets, which was a big issue because I didn't realize that my mattress was a twin XL. Luckily, a friend bought my regular twin sheets because they would fit her bed. That being said, before you buy bedding check what size bed you will have! A good rule of thumb is to have at least two sets of sheets: one on your bed, and one for a spare/to change out when you wash your other ones. I had three sets of sheets, just because I liked to change it up a bit. Changing out your sheets is the easiest and usually cheapest way to change up your bedding if you're looking for something new!

3. Bedding

A comforter or duvet is going to be the best way to express yourself in your dorm room. This is usually the first thing people will notice when they come in your room, and it ultimately needs to be something that you absolutely love. You're going to be seeing a lot of your bedspread, so make sure it is something that you're not going to get tired of. My favorite color is blue, but when shopping for bed spreads I stayed away from bright, loud colors and patterns because I knew I wanted something calm and simple. Another great idea is to get a reversible bedspread! Mine is blue/white chevron on one side, and another chevron pattern with different colors on the other side. So, whenever I get tired of one side, I can easily change it to the other side for something different. 

4. Pillows 

Your pillow should follow the same rule as your mattress pad. Make sure you get something comfortable that you will be able to get a good night's sleep with! You'll also need another pillow for your sham, and decorative pillows if you want! I hate sleeping with a lot of pillows and stuff on my bed, so I kept my pillows to a minimum. I had one pillow in a sham, the pillow that I slept on, a giant floor pillow (that I used as a backrest when I wasn't sleeping), and two decorative pillows. Just keep in mind that you have to keep the pillows somewhere if you don't keep them on your bed. 

5. Storage

Your bed is one of the most underestimated places to store all of your stuff. I was able to store most of my stuff that would not fit in my closet under my bed. At my school we have adjustable bed frames, so I raised it to the highest setting, which was the perfect height to put white plastic pullout drawers underneath my bed. I had two wide ones, and one narrow one. Because my bed was all the way against a wall, I kept these right at the front for easier access. I put things that I didn't necessarily need often (like the box to my printer and duffel bags) behind these bins. In one bin I kept towels, washcloths, and sheets. In another I kept food, tumbler cups, tupperware bowls, utensils, etc. You can use drawers like this store anything and everything!

6. Bedskirt

If you want to hide what all you store under your bed, a bedskirt is the best solution! Instead of specially ordering a bedskirt or making my own, I used the one that came with my bedding set. Since you could only see one side of my bed, I folded the bedskirt in half and staggered it to create a "ruffle". To keep the bedskirt from falling down, I safety pinned it to the bed frame. By creatively using my bedskirt this way, I saved myself time and money by not having to make my own!

7. Headboard

A headboard isn't essential, but definitely makes your dorm room feel a little more homey. My roommate and I didn't use actual headboards, but hung up wall decor to give the visual effect of a headboard. You can also make your own by following one of the DIYs on Pinterest! This year I'm getting an actual headboard made from Artist Tree! Be sure to check back in August for pictures!

8. Bedside table
This is something that I didn't even think about until I moved in! Luckily, my roommate moved in before me and had bought a set of small tables, so she let me use one as my night stand. This isn't something I would qualify as a necessity, but it is great to keep an alarm clock and bottle of water on. If you don't want to buy a bedside table, or even if you're on the top bunk, check out this Bedside Storage Caddy!

All of the pictures posted are from my dorm my freshman year. I'll be living in the dorms again my sophomore year, and I can't wait to post pictures of my new room! Check back in August to see it…you're not going to want to miss it! ;) Like my dorm room? Have any other storage ideas? Headed to college soon? Leave me a comment and tell me!

Love my monogram and my owl? Find the monogram here and the owl here or here!

What Every College Freshman Needs To Know

Now that freshman year is over and I see all the new little freshies getting ready to move in the fall, here's a list of things that I learned over my freshman year of college:

1. Buy a lot of athletic wear. You probably won't actually use these for working out, but you'll wear them to every single class. Seriously.

2. Buy a planner. Use it. Write down EVERYTHING, even if you think you'll be able to remember it. You'll thank me later.

3. Call your mom, or at least text her. She's having a hard time with her baby moving out, and she'll be glad to hear from you. Keep her updated on your life, it will make things much easier for her. Eventually she'll get over her separation anxiety…eventually.

4. Don't bring lots of t-shirts from home. You'll get TONS in college, especially if you're in a sorority!

5. This might seem silly, but don't forget toilet paper on move in day. That's pretty problematic.

6. Learn how to study and take advantage of tutoring resources ASAP! It's too late to try to learn a whole semester of stuff when you have finals the next week.

7. Go to the library to study. You won't look like a nerd and you'll be able to get a lot more done in there than if you just tried to study in your room.

8. Get to know your professors. Don't be a creep and go add them on Facebook, but if you're having trouble they have office hours for a reason. Go talk to them, and if they see that you're actually trying they might give you a few extra points if you need it ;)

9. Don't let your social life interfere with your grades. Find a balance.

10. Don't forget to have a social life, either.

11. College is a time to meet new and exciting people, take advantage of it. Thankfully, my sorority introduced me to a diverse group of wonderful girls and guys! Even if Greek Life isn't for you, there are plenty of ways to meet new people.

12. Don't sit in your dorm room or apartment the whole time, and don't go home every weekend either.

13. I never really got homesick, but if you do, call up your girlfriends, go watch a movie, just don't sit and mope by yourself. The likelihood of you going home for good increases drastically if you don't get out and hang out with friends.

14. Walk everywhere that you can. This will keep you somewhat active and keep you from gaining ALL of the Freshman 15.

15. Unless you are a super health freak and work out twice a day, gaining at least some weight is inevitable.

16. I'm not sure why this didn't make it higher up on the list, but learn to LOVE coffee. And buy a coffee maker. You'll need it when you're having to pull an all-nighter and the coffee shop isn't open at 3 A.M.

17. Go to McDonald's at midnight for breakfast with your friends. MAKE MEMORIES.

and last, but probably the most important,

18. In the words of my mother, "TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!"

17 Things You Need To Know In High School

For my sweet cousin (and everyone else) just starting out in high school:

1. Be friends with everyone. Don't stick to your one group of friends, float around. You'll have much more fun if you do!

2. Learn how to initiate friendships. In college making friends isn't that easy, most people aren't going to run to you on the quad wanting to be your best friend.

3. Be nice to everyone. Really, just do it. It's not going to kill you.

4. Listen to your friends about boys. They usually know what they're talking about, and they're looking out for your best interests.

5. It's ok if he's not "The One". You'll always remember your first love, but don't let it get you down. Your Prince Charming is out there somewhere.

6. Don't be boy crazy. It's fun to have a boyfriend, but you don't HAVE to have one. Seriously, don't be THAT girl with a different boy toy every month.

7. Hang out with your girl friends. You won't forget nights watching movies and eating ice cream with your girls.

8. BE INVOLVED. I seriously cannot stress this enough. Play a sport, join a club, be involved in student government… More is better, but don't overwork yourself. These activities will look great when you apply for a job, scholarships, and college.

9. Spend time with your family. They're the ones that will always be there for you, no matter what.

10. Your parents aren't your enemies. They actually know what they're talking about, and they're looking out for you. You'll be thankful for it, probably not right now, but eventually.

11. Be a good example. Someone is looking up to you, whether you know it or not. Set a good example for them.

12. MAKE GOOD GRADES. This is another thing that cannot stress enough! When you graduate high school with a scholarship to the college of your choice, you'll be thankful for all the time you spent studying. 

13. You're going to have the time of your life in college. People say that high school is "the best four years of your life." They're lying. High school is fun, but college is so much better.

14. Your high school friends might come and go, but don't be discouraged. The friends you meet in college will be the best friends you ever have.

15. Be yourself, don't let others get you down.

16. Don't compromise your beliefs, values, or ideals for someone else. If they require you to do so, you don't need them in your life anyways.

17. IT GETS BETTER, trust me! You may think your life sucks, but tomorrow is always a new day. Life goes on.

Love,

Someone who's been there, done that, and has the t-shirt to prove it.

College Girl!!

I'm officially moved into my dorm room! I might be just a tad bit biased, but I think my roommate and I have the cutest dorm room! We decided to go with a color pallet of aqua and coral, but added in a few extra colors too! We decided to get different bedspreads that reflected our own personality, but used taupe as a neutral color for our rug and curtains so it wouldn't be color overkill. (Even though our room came with a doo-doo green wall that we couldn't paint over, which we were not happy about.) Of course almost everything of mine is monogrammed, even my mini fridge! I was so pleased that we were able to make it feel like such a homey space, it definitely makes you feel a lot less homesick. I definitely recommend trying out your mattress pad BEFORE you move. Mine feels like a rock! I'm so glad that I'm only and hour away from home and my parents are bringing me a new one!
I had A LOT of stuff! My car had only clothes in it! (Quick packing tip: keep your clothes on hangers and just put trash bags over them, so they won't get wet or dirty, and get a tension-type rod that is made for a car and hang them all up. This keeps them from getting wrinkled. Also, the easiest way to transport them to your room is to leave them on the rod and just carry it like that. I also packed everything in either duffel bags or the plastic pull out drawers that I put underneath my bed. I didn't want to use boxes because I didn't want to have a bunch of stuff that I had to go throw in the dumpster. The duffel bags that I didn't keep with me, I just sent home with my parents.)

This is my side of the room, and my doo-doo green wall.

Where we put my desk and our fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. 

My roommate's side of the room.

Check back for more dorm tips!