BLACK MINIMALISTS™
Home About Blog E-Course Podcast Directory
HomeAboutBlogE-CoursePodcastDirectory
BLACK MINIMALISTS™
Community. Freedom. Simplicity.

How To Organize Your College Dorm Room

Photo Source: Pixabay.com

Photo Source: Pixabay.com

I was first exposed to minimalism from my mother. She has retired from the air force but when she left, she maintained some of the practices she acquired while in service. When I was younger she would constantly say, “A cluttered space is a cluttered mind". I honestly didn’t understand it. I thought she was being extra strict, but I guess you can call it good ole classic teenage angst if you will. Now, as I have gotten older I can see why she did certain things, and it all makes sense.

In the mornings, she always emphasized that I made my bed. Being in the air force, it was a simple task but a very important one. If you can’t even make up your bed in the morning, how else do you expect yourself to start your day off right? Let alone be a good soldier. In the air force, clothing was also kept to a minimum and what clothes you did have had to be well kept. So my mother was a minimalist before it became mainstream and I still use some of her techniques.

Keeping a clean and organized space is what I have always been exposed to, so for me it is a necessity in spaces of my own. And thanks to my mother I have a few tips for you on how to organize your dorm room.

1| Designate a space for everything.

My mother would always tell me everything should have a space. And if I couldn’t find a space for it, I probably did not need it. I used to think this was a bit extreme but now it makes perfect sense. When everything has it’s own place you get to see clearly what’s in your space and can better maintain it.

2| Say no to free stuff.

You know. The free t-shirts, free key chains, free hats, free posters – you name it! College students are always bombarded with this stuff, and we love anything with the word FREE attached to it. But those shirts and hats will accumulate, and fast. You might not even wear one of those shirts during your whole entire time in college. So just say, "No". You will save yourself space. Especially, if you are living in a dorm where space is definitely a scarcity.

3| Donate and swap your clothes with friends.

In college everything is about being frugal. Even when your budget is tight sometimes you still want to change up your wardrobe without sacrificing your space, money or time. A quick and easy solution is to swap clothes with friends. Swapping clothes gives you the opportunity to dive into a style different from your own free of charge.

4| Decorate your space with intention. 

You should choose a décor that is easily interchangeable. Use pieces that are functionable and purposeful to your life and space. For example: When I lived in the dorms I had my comics posted on the wall to save space, and whenever I wanted to read one I took it out from its sleeve. Whatever is in your vicinity needs to either add value to you. And if it has outgrown the space, don’t be afraid to donate it or throw it away.

5| Clean your space once a week.

My mother and I would clean every Sunday morning. Floors mopped, bathroom scrubbed - the works. This way we were ready to start our week afresh. The same thing applies even in college. It does not have to be a whole scrub down but you should definitely tidy up. It is a good habit to keep up to prevent your room from becoming completely dirty.

These steps are just suggestions on what has worked for me throughout the school year. The road to minimalism can manifest and take shape in your life in different ways. Take your time and slowly make positive changes best fits your life.


Photo Source: Instagram.com/indie_minimalist

Photo Source: Instagram.com/indie_minimalist

 

Charisma Dozier is a native New Yorker currently living in Georgia. She is a junior at Georgia State University and is a Film and Video major. During her free time she loves to draw, make designs, and go mural hunting around Atlanta. You can find Charisma on Youtube and on Instagram!

Featured
Is This Sustainable: Black Minimalists™ (Updated)
Sep 14, 2018
Is This Sustainable: Black Minimalists™ (Updated)
Sep 14, 2018
Sep 14, 2018
BM Meetups in Atlanta and Charleston | Recap
Sep 7, 2018
BM Meetups in Atlanta and Charleston | Recap
Sep 7, 2018
Sep 7, 2018
Black Minimalists' First Anniversary
May 1, 2018
Black Minimalists' First Anniversary
May 1, 2018
May 1, 2018
Who Are Black Minimalists: Communities Within A Community
Jan 26, 2018
Who Are Black Minimalists: Communities Within A Community
Jan 26, 2018
Jan 26, 2018
Minimizing Your Hair Product Obsession
Jan 18, 2018
Minimizing Your Hair Product Obsession
Jan 18, 2018
Jan 18, 2018
Is Minimalism The Glamourization of Poverty?
Jan 8, 2018
Is Minimalism The Glamourization of Poverty?
Jan 8, 2018
Jan 8, 2018
How to Give More This Holiday Season
Dec 24, 2017
How to Give More This Holiday Season
Dec 24, 2017
Dec 24, 2017
Rethinking Holiday Traditions
Dec 15, 2017
Rethinking Holiday Traditions
Dec 15, 2017
Dec 15, 2017
A Minimalist's Guide To Sustainable Grocery Shopping
Dec 14, 2017
A Minimalist's Guide To Sustainable Grocery Shopping
Dec 14, 2017
Dec 14, 2017
How to Practice Self-Preservation in the Midst of Violence Against Black People
Nov 1, 2017
How to Practice Self-Preservation in the Midst of Violence Against Black People
Nov 1, 2017
Nov 1, 2017
A Space For Us: Self-care As An Act of Social Justice
Oct 26, 2017
A Space For Us: Self-care As An Act of Social Justice
Oct 26, 2017
Oct 26, 2017
Community SubmittedBlack MinimalistsAugust 21, 2017HowTo, College, organization, Charisma DozierComment
Facebook0 Twitter Pinterest0 0 Likes
Previous

Black Minimalists: Chris and Anna

InterviewsBlack MinimalistsAugust 24, 2017Chris and Anna, interviews, Black Minimalists1 Comment
Next

Black Minimalist: Dr. Crystal Jones

InterviewsBlack MinimalistsAugust 16, 2017HealWithCrystal, Dr. Crystal Jones, interviews
info@blackminimalists.net
Hours

Get your Free Ebook!

Sign up to receive Simply Black: Personal Essays by Black Minimalists and community updates.

We respect your privacy and won't clutter your inbox. You are signing up to receive updates and marketing, and will be asked to confirm your subscription via email. Read our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! Check your inbox to confirm your subscription and get your free copy of the ebook.

EventsShop
Site Information
Privacy Policy Terms of Service Press Kit

© 2017-2018 BLACK MINIMALISTS™