Now that you've hauled all of your stuff into your new room the size of a shoebox, you're probably trying to adjust to your new life on campus. If you're anything like me, the hardest part is making your side of a tiny room with blank walls and simple furniture feel like home. Even though your dorm may never be as warm and cozy as your bedroom at home, here are some tips to make you feel less homesick.
1. Wash Your Bedding With Fabric Softener
Not only will fabric softener make your bedding softer and more comfortable to sleep in, but you can also get the same scent that your family uses at home. The familiar scent surrounding you at night can be super comforting when you're missing your family.
2. Hang Pictures
The blank wall above your bed is a great place to make a photo wall. Washi tape makes cheap frames that won't damage your walls, and if you put painter's tape underneath double-sided tape, you can easily attach the photographs to the wall.
3. Get Scent Beads
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Since most schools don't allow candles in the dorms, consider buying a jar of scented beads. These small jars are the perfect size to leave on your desk or even in your closet to get rid of that stale dorm smell. The Fragrance Spheres from Yankee Candle are only $5.49 and last for up to 45 days. There are also scents that are odor eliminating which can be helpful if your room is especially smelly.
4. Decorate Your Desk Area
5. Keep Food In Your Fridge
Your dorm will feel more homey if you're able to prepare a simple meal for yourself. Even if it's as simple as cereal or microwave mac and cheese, having the independence to cook and eat in your room will be helpful when you're missing the comforts of home. If your floor or hall has a kitchen that you have access to, keep ingredients for a comfort meal in your fridge and make sure you know how to cook it. After a long day of classes, you might be really craving your mom's famous chicken soup.
6. Invite People Over
Whether it's the girl in the room next door to you, someone from your statistics class that wants to work on a problem set with you, or even a friend from your hometown who goes to a nearby school, your room will feel much more comfortable when you have company. You can also try just leaving your door open when you're in your room, or if you have a dry erase board, invite people to just come in. You'll get to meet some of the people on your floor that you might not have talked to by inviting them into your room.
7. Call Home
We live in an era of technology. You can very easily FaceTime or Skype with your family when you're feeling homesick. Your family will love seeing your face and talking to you about how your classes are going. They'll also love seeing your room as you change things up or add new decorations. A quick call home is also a great way to help you feel less homesick.
