Everyone has heard it before, your first year college dorms are usually the worst. Adjusting to living away from home, living with another person in a relatively small room, and of course COMMUNAL BATHROOMS is a struggle in the beginning, but it’s not impossible to overcome. After making it through my freshman year of college I can honestly say that yes, freshman dorms can be rough but having a little bit of knowledge on how to get through it makes it much easier. There are so many things I could tell incoming freshman about how to survive balancing classes and a social life, but from personal experience, I know that the biggest worry for all freshman is dorming. So here are a few tips on how to survive freshman residence life.

1. Do not stress out on move in day!

Move in day is exciting and nerve wracking and the best way to get through it is to not stress. Everything will be unpacked and everything will look exactly how you want it to, but you have to breathe in order for it to happen. Don’t argue with your parents and don’t try to rush around to get things done.

2. Become friendly with your neighbors

Go and introduce yourself to your neighbors on move in day! Even if you end up just saying hello to each other when you see them in the hallway, having a good relationship with your neighbors is extremely important and will help you feel more at home. Who knows, you may even meet one of your best friends!

3. Decorate!

Yes it’s true that a plain dorm room can look like a jail cell, so you have to decorate! Customize your room with pictures of friends, posters, small (Res Life approved) Christmas lights, anything to make it your own! You are going to be living here for the next ten months, so it is important to feel extremely comfortable and happy coming back to your room each night.

4. Clorox wipes will be your best friend

Clorox wipes are essential for your dorm room. From coffee stains, to dirty shelves, to random sticky spots that you’re not exactly sure how they got there, Clorox wipes will get you through it all.

5. Stay as organized as possible

Living in a small space with another person, it is easy for things to get lost. Use your shelves, bins, and filing cabinets wisely so you don’t lose any important assignment and papers.

6. Be prepared for a fire drill at any moment

Planned or not, fire alarms are going to be pulled and you’re going to need to be prepared to go outside. Whether it be noon, eight at night, or four in the morning, you need to be prepared for everything. I highly recommend keeping a jacket and shoes that slip on next to your door at all times!

7. Do NOT take advantage of having all your friends live in the same building as you

At the start of the year, having all the freshman live in the same building may not seem like a big deal, but as you start to find your core group of friends you’ll realize that it is the greatest thing in the world. From hanging out until three in the morning, to late night cram sessions in the study rooms, and always having a shoulder to cry on just a few feet away when you need it is one of the best parts of your freshman year.

8. Make sure you have a lot of friends to help you on move out day

It’s one of the most confusing parts of freshman year; the moment you realize you are moving out with more things than you moved in with and you probably don’t know where most of it came from. This is when all of your amazing friends come in handy. Through the tears and long, emotional goodbyes, having people there to help you move all your boxes and suitcases out of your room will make the process that much easier.

9. Cherish every moment you have with your freshman dorm

Your freshman dorm will always have a special place in your heart. From late night studying, hanging out with friends, lots and lots of Domino's orders coming through the doors, maybe even a few mental breakdowns, you’re going to make so many memories in your freshman dorm room. You won’t realize how important this room and your memories were until its time to leave and once you have left you’ll realize how amazing your freshman dorm.

If you follow these few simple tips, freshman dorm life will be much easier than you think.