Survive the dorms
The selection process for getting dorms at almost any college is a mess. waiting for your turn to pick your home for almost nine months and getting left with the dusty, dark, far, no AC dorms is not a great way to start the year. But having a roommate is so exciting! finding new friends or continuing friendships onto the next chapter is so exciting.
Finding fun things to do with your roommate is currently very popular as the 2026 class prepare to take on college
First tip: Apply to college sooner rather than later. By applying you’re putting your name in the system and getting accepted sooner than those who apply late. Most schools have students who applied sooner get better odds of selecting the room they like. My roommate Penelope Rae went through early applying. She highly recommended it “take the stress off me, let me focus on finishing my year”.
- Little college flags
These are all over instagram and TikTok currently. Custom fabric flags. They can include your school’s colors, mascot, names, ribbons or glitter. It’s fun, crafty and personal.
Second tip: Finding a roommate or finding suite mates. Finding the people you’re going to live with is important. Figuring out if you want one roommate or multiple is also very important. The dorms for one set of roommates looks much different than a dorm built for suite mates. Figure out what works best for you and your needs. Making sure you also like your roommate is very important, and have similar lifestyles. This makes the transition so much easier.
- Photo wall
Photos capture every adventure and memory. Printing out your favorite photos over time and creating a nostalgic experience every time you see them.
- Initial pillows and decor
Colorful pillows and decor are a fun way to decorate your room. Make it unique and fun. Each roommate gets their little touches.
Third tip: Do research on the housing at your school. Each school has unique housing options. Before me and my roommates picked out what our top choices were, we looked at every house. We wanted to narrow our options down to the best fits for us all. Making sure you know the pros and cons of each one is crucial. Yes, one housing might have the biggest rooms but it could not have an air conditioning system. By doing your research you are fully prepared for all things dorm related. no last minute surprises.
- University Jellycats
Jellycats have been popular for a while now, but custom Jellycats are new. Adding patches and ribbons to any stuffed animal of your choice is a fun craft you and your roommate can enjoy.
- College school banners and flags
Boys rooms are commonly flooded with college school, sports, and other flags. Filling all the walls and giving the room personality.
The change to being an independent is hard. Don’t make the living arrangements harder.
