Organizing Tips for College Students

Heading off to college is often the first experience of freedom as a full-fledged adult. This step is the perfect opportunity to hone in on personal style and preferences. For parents, this can be a nerve-wracking time. Making sure your young adult is set up for success will make an impact on both mom, dad and student. Help them create an organized living space to start the new school year off on the right foot.

Melissa Rogers with Modified by Melissa is graciously sharing her tips on how to make every square inch of space count. She reminds us that you can maximize any space as long as you have a plan and put some effort into organizing.

Here are her tips for smaller or shared spaces:

Less Clutter

Have a designated place for everything. Example: If you walk in the door and toss your bag on the bed one day, in the kitchen the next day, and so on, you won’t know where to look for it when you need it in a bind. Set one location for it, and ALWAYS put it away there. That way, when you are rushing out the door in the morning, you know exactly where it is.

Label Shelves and Storage

When you share a bathroom with multiple roommates, it is extremely helpful to have a set place for each person’s personal items. Setting boundaries and sticking to them is the first step in making it through the school year. Example: Put a label on one shelf/basket with your name on it, in the bathroom. Only items that belong to go into this basket. You can also label where things belong in the pantry. Label a general shelf or spot for Melissa’s food, or be more specific with cereal, canned goods, etc.

Optimize Vertical Space

Hang storage units vertically to store bathroom essentials, scarves and accessories. Example: Using a hanging organizer on the back of the bathroom door allows everything to have a place without cluttering the top of the counter with too many products. These can also be easily labeled.

Don’t Forget About Under Bed Storage

You will probably have prime storage space under your bed. There may even be room for a mini-fridge, a nook for studying and extra storage for clothes and towels. Example: With smaller spaces, it really pays off to utilize any and all storage. No, not by cramming it in as a heaping pile when friends are about to come over! Use storage solutions that can easily be enclosed, stacked, and labeled. This is great for out of season clothing or extra school supplies.

Cords and Cables

A smaller space for all of your electronics can make for chaos with cords laying everywhere and not knowing which belongs to what. Example: Consider using a little box to collect all of your charging cords. The box designates space for said cords and removes the cluttered look of having them lying all over your desk or workspace. You can also use some washi or painters tape to tape around the cord and label it “cell phone” or “tablet.”

Melissa Rogers is the owner of Modified by Melissa and specializes in helping create beautiful, organized and functional spaces that allow you to enjoy and relax. 

You may also like 10 Etiquette Tips to Being a Gracious Roommate. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow Diane on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.