Alright. It’s time to accept it. summer is ending, and classes start this week. Its time to get out of bed, put on clean (non-pajama) clothes , and log out of that Netflix account. School season is here, and there is work to be done! A whole lot of that work involves not only getting ready for classes, but also moving back into residential halls. To lower the stress of the new semester, below I have attached a list of ways to create a super snazzy dorm room for move in day!

1. Lights, lights, and did I say lights?

Usually you are given a super gross fluorescent lamp or overhead light fixture, but good lighting is essential to creating a welcoming atmosphere. I personally love to fill my room with twinkle lights, because of the calming, soft lighting it gives the room.

2. Floor beds are lame beds

You can give yourself so much extra storage if you loft or put your bed on risers. Having your bed completely on the ground eliminates a perfect place to put suitcases, extra shoes, snacks or clothes that do not fit in your extremely small closet. So raise that bed and fill it with storage boxes and say hello to a year with a lot less clutter!

3. Wall decals are the bomb.com

Wall decals are so cool, and they are so much nicer than hanging up posters in your room. Also they are very cheap and you can find some super cool ones on Amazon or Etsy. Here is an example of what a wall decal looks like:

You have to admit, you would be the coolest Freshmen in your hall if you had a Banksy decal in your dorm room. Wall decals don’t require any pushpins, therefore no annoying little holes in your walls that you have to fill up later. Simply pull the backing off and place it wherever you’d like. It also comes off super easy and doesn't leave any sticky residue.

4. Spoil yourself: Buy a mattress topper

Let’s be honest, sleep is important. I can guarantee that you will not catch those much needed zzz’s if you do not invest in some sort of mattress pad or mattress topper to increase the comfort of those rinky-dink dorm beds. You can buy some super cheap mattress toppers at Target for under $20!

5. Add a little greenery!

Having some sort of plant (maybe a pretty bouquet?) can bring some life in your room! Also, after a few weeks you can press your flowers by putting them under a heavy book for a couple days. This can be some super cool decor that you can hang on your wall.

If your room comes with a porch, take advantage and fill it up with some plants! If not, having a small succulent or a pretty terrarium on your desk is always refreshing.