Living away from home for the first time can be stressful. Between figuring out your class schedule, finding your way around a new place and trying to make friends, homesickness is sure to hit us all. Having a space where you feel comfortable plays a huge role in positive mental health and gives your brain some room to figure the rest out. We all know that dorm rooms tend to have a less-than-welcoming feel to them when you first move in, but that can all be fixed. Here are five steps that will help you create a positive environment in your dorm:
- Unpack – It’s simple but nothing says “I don’t really live here” like a bunch of suitcases lying around. It may seem like a daunting task at first but just starting is the hardest part. Once you put a few things away, everything else will start to fall into place.
- Display your pictures – Whether they’re photos of your friends on a camping trip, pictures of your family vacation or posters from your favourite tv show, show them off! If your room doesn’t have a cork board already, they’re only about $4 at the dollar store and they will do wonders for your dorm room. Now you’ll have a reminder of home whenever you’re feeling a little down.
- Invest in a rug – Although rugs can get pricey, they go for as little as $7 dollars at Wal-Mart and it’s really worth it. Over the years of spilled drinks and ink stains, most dorm room carpets have seen better days. Adding a rug can help cover the ugly patches and add some colour to your dorm. If you’re sharing a room, you and your roommate may want to discuss buying one together.
- Bring bedding from home – It can sometimes be hard to sleep the first couple nights away from home. While it is to be expected after a big change, sleep deprivation is not good for mental health. Bringing bedding from home can make your room seem more familiar during the day and more cozy at night. If you don’t want to bring all your bedding, try a pillow or a stuffed animal to snuggle up to when you go to sleep.
- Relax – Put on your comfiest clothes, sprawl across your bed and do something that makes you happy. Read a book, watch Netflix, drink tea – whatever it is, you deserve it. Give yourself a moment to take in everything that’s going on around you. Be proud of yourself for getting into university and making it this far. The more time you spend in your room feeling happy and at peace, the more comfortable you’ll be in it and the more it will feel like home.
The views expressed in this blog are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the University of Victoria. I monitor posts and comments to ensure all content complies with the University of Victoria Guidelines on Blogging.