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Rachael Severino is an incoming freshmen at Sarah Lawrence College. |
| Creating a perfectly aesthetic dorm on a budget can be a nightmare for many freshmen. Ensuring your dorm can act as both home base and study area while earning Instagram likes can be a struggle, but it is not impossible. July through August is the time to shop for a college student’s dorm. This means that stores like Dormify, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Ikea are all offering coupons and hosting blow out sales. Most colleges provide a list of things you need to bring. Essentials are essentials; you will need bedding and a laundry basket. However, you can jazz up basics any day. Make sure your bed-in-a-bag is in a color or design you love. To add some warmth, hunt down a super soft rug. Your necessary items need not be bland. Lastly, if your college allows it, buy curtains. Trust me. Amp up your dorm experience exponentially with these essentials that are not actually considered essentials. Dorm mattresses have seen better days. A mattress topper will save your back, protect you from whatever that poor mattress has seen, and provide a better night’s sleep. Believe it or not, you need this: an electric kettle. These babies will save you money and time on coffee or tea (pick your poison!), while also serving you instant oatmeal for breakfast and ramen for dinner. Most freshmen will be assigned a roommate. You may love yours, but you could just as easily curse the day they were born. Headphones can block out noise and help you focus on work, so do not forget to pack yours. After gathering the essentials, use your extra cash on to die for décor. Splurge on fuzzy throw pillows and a cozy blanket which come in many gorgeous, eye-catching shades. Also, consider a wooden or glass tray to put beauty products in. Go crazy with plug in air-fresheners; there’s nothing wrong with having a space filled with fresh aromas. Have no guilt over an air purifier (no one gets sick like college students!). The little extras you love should make the move with you: a precious plant (or six) should follow. Do not just eye that great piece of wall art. A fun tapestry or print can absolutely liven up your dorm wall. Polaroids or framed pictures of friends and family will provide familiarity and endless comfort. These knickknacks will make the space yours. Dorms are not known for their spacious nature. Try to narrow in on products that will help you feel like you are living in something bigger than a shoebox. Mirrors open up any room; buy a long mirror and befriend it. Light colors create space, whereas dark colors –while cozier– will close it. Try to avoid crazy prints; they are a mistake. Also, keep furniture against the wall to ensure there is an open center space. Living without your parents for the first time can easily throw your life out of whack. College can be crazy and overwhelming for everyone, freshmen or seniors. Making your dorm feel glamorous and cozy can provide much-needed grounding. So, get clever and craft your own home away from home. This is where you will be spending a majority or your time for the next few years. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 