Kristin Borostyan is a Luminary Circle member of Step Up and the CEO and founder of Real College Knowledge, where she helps families with the transition to college by providing pioneering solutions so students don’t flounder during their first year. In preparation for The Container Store’s Grand Opening at Farmers Market on August 9 – 10 (when 10% of sales will be donated to Step Up!), Kristin shares her college dorm room tips and tricks.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, it is for me because it means Back-to-School Shopping! There’s nothing like starting a new school year excited for all the possibilities it brings. And if you’re a college student, back-to-school shopping means gathering up items on a mile-long list!
It seems like the packing will never end. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Here are my 5 favorite ideas for dorm room organizing with help from The Container Store:
- Cramped Closets: As you can imagine the closets in the dorm are less than spacious at only 3-5 feet wide. It is important that you only take your favorite clothes and accessories to college. Lay the clothes you want to wear for college out on a sheet before you pack them up so you can see what you have. Be practical! You don’t need 12 pairs of shoes or 10 pairs of jeans. Pair down and think minimally. Maximize your vertical space and floor space as much as possible using accessories like a rod extender, cascading hangers, shoe boxes and stackable drawers.
- Savvy Wall Space: Using the wall space in the dorm room is super smart but be careful! You will be charged a hefty fee if you damage the walls. Use vertical hanging grids and removable hooks from 3M to hang everything including your keys so you don’t lose them. You can think of your accessories as decorations for your room.
- Straightforward Desk Accessories: Buy accessories according to your learning style! Visual Learners respond to things in bright color and don’t like lids. Look for open containers and brightly colored folders and holders for pens. The items need to be visually pleasing to look at and use.
Visual Learners respond to things in bright color and don’t like lids. Look for open containers and brightly colored folders and holders for pens. The items need to be visually pleasing to look at and use.
Auditory Learners like things that are minimal and easy to use. Don’t overwhelm yourself with lots of little organizational items. Instead get the basics with little fuss. And look for a neat, clean and orderly look.
Kinesthetic Learners need items that click together, stack together or have lots of moving parts to use. Look for lids, buckles and other moveable parts. - Under Bed Storage: Most dorm beds have adjustable mattresses so put them as high as they can go so you can use all the storage under the bed. Boxes for boots, coats, sweaters, extra sheets and towels can all get stowed away neatly. Remember to buy some packages of Mold Away to wick away moisture that can get trapped in the containers.
- All Those Little Extras: The key to organization is to have a place for everything and everything in its place. Don’t pack things without having a container for it or it will end up a mess once you get to your room. Paper clips, highlighters, pony tail holders, make-up, toiletries etc. all need to live in little compartments or containers so they stay neat. The most organized students create a system when they move in and then continue using the system by putting things away after they use them. The trick is to have things that work well for you in your small space so you keep it organized and looking great all year!
Every year college bound students and their parents can enjoy Special Savings at The Container Store during their exclusive 2-Week College Savings Event. Go to your local The Container Store anytime between now and August 3 to save big bucks. Plus, in honor of their Grand Opening at Farmers Market, The Container Store will donate 10% of sales from Grand Opening Weekend (August 9 and 10) to Step Up.
Kristin Borostyan is a Luminary Circle member of Step Up and the CEO and Founder of Real College Knowledge where she helps families with the transition to college by providing pioneering solutions so students don’t flounder or flunk out their first year in college. One of her modules in The Advantage Boot Camp Program helps transition freshman to understand why it is crucial to have an organizing style which then teaches them how to organize for their unique personality and learning style for maximum success in college. You can find more about her programs and how she can help you organize for college at www.realcollegeknowledge.com.
