One of the most exciting and equally terrifying life moments is dropping your child off to college. There are a rollercoaster of emotions that we as parents experience… Are they prepared? Will they have the capacity to handle being away from home? While we can’t control or predict what will happen, we can make sure they have the necessary tools to help combat the stress of campus life. That means helping them to create a space that offers an escape where they can relax, recharge, and truly feel at home amidst the hustle and bustle.
When preparing to purchase some essentials for my daughters dorm room, I decided to do some research on YouTube to see if we could find a good layout of how her room would look. (That’s a tip for my incoming freshman parents, find a layout of the room so you know what products will fit beforehand). While watching a few videos, I found that some of the rooms were filled with unnecessary items and just cluttered with stuff. Here’s the thing, I firmly believe that our environment greatly influences our mood and productivity. That’s why it’s essential to be deliberate in creating the right atmosphere from the start. We were very selective in what we chose to include in her space, ensuring that each piece serves a purpose and contributes to a calm, organized environment. This helps to minimize distractions and creates a space that’s conducive to both rest and focused study.
A few words of advice to my parents of incoming Freshman…
- Remember that they can’t take everything with them! The space allocated is small so be selective in what you pack.
- Leave room for more… Your kids will go shopping and will bring additional items into their dorms so leave some storage space open to accommodate this.
- Load up on essentials like toiletries, cleaning supplies and personal care items. Instead of overloading with decor, stock up on essentials they’ll need for at least 2-3 months.
Remember, do not go overboard! And as I always say, keep it simple. Check out our list of dorm room essentials that you will actually use and need to get your student’s dorm organized + efficient for Freshman year.
Sending love to all the parents, siblings and students starting this journey!