Even after I’ve happily settled myself back into dorm life for the semester, I can still smell the cool, damp scent of my basement room back home. I can feel the soft red sheets on my full bed and the warm fur of my dogs when they curl up and fall asleep on my feet. The white sterile walls of my college dorm will never be as mine as the pale green bedroom back home. Coming back to school after winter break always makes me long for a room that is truly mine-- not just a place that I’m borrowing from the school for a year. As students across the country prepare to return to their college dorms, here are some tips for making it feel a little more like home.

1. Bring back a photo collage of friends and family members

Storing photos on your phone, Facebook page, or computer is often an easy solution, but how often do you look at those photos? While you have down time over winter break sort through your photos, print them out and make a photo collage. This activity is super simple and it adds a personal touch to your dorm decor. Going through your photos will help you uncover old memories and dig up some pretty entertaining stories as well.

2. Bring back a special blanket to keep warm for the rest of winter

The two blankets I use most at college are the red flowered comforter from the room I used to share with my sister and the high school t-shirt quilt I made. These blankets are super warm and they allow me to reminisce when I’m missing home. My favorite part about these blankets is that they carry stories of sleepovers, track meets, and girlhood forts with them. If you’re feeling down about coming back to school after break try finding a blanket that has a special memory to bring back with you.

3. Remember Less is More

Sometimes just a small trinket from home is all you need to make a dorm feel a little bit more like yours. I have a set of mugs from home and they have worked miracles to make the room feel more like mine. Souvenirs from family vacations, small gifts from friends, or favorite decoration from your bedroom will do the trick to make your dorm feel like home.