By Hannah Botjer—

Moving into a college dorm is a new experience. Students are going from having their own room organized their way, to having a ridiculously small room with a roommate. It’s not easy. About.com offers some easy ways to stay organized.

When packing, think about the actual number of things you’ll really need at any time. A dorm is a small space; you don’t need your entire GI Joe or Barbie Doll collection. Think more about what you would need for school and worry about the small, non-relevant things later.

Don’t have anything in the room that only serves one function. There isn’t much space in dorms and you don’t want to further minimize that space by having items with only one purpose. For example, buy a speaker system that not only plays music but charges your iPod as well. Buying things that serve two purposes will save time and space.

Avoid empty space. Rearrange your dorm to maximize the space. By lifting the bed you can use the extra space to store storage containers. Use the way the room is designed to your advantage. For example, if there is a ledge under the window, use it as additional storage for books and other items. Be creative and use things that could be originally thought of as disadvantages in the design to your advantage.

Communicate with your roommate. All of your efforts for organizations will be void if your roommate doesn’t understand what you’re trying to do. By communicating with your roommate you can coordinate what you’re bringing so you don’t have two fridges or two area rugs. Having two of everything can cause excess clutter.

Lastly, aim for keeping things organized as often as you can. Use stackable plastic bins to store miscellaneous items that don’t need to be kept out all the time. Labels can help you remember where important things are and what you need to get done in the future. Additionally, don’t use things solely for their original purpose. A traditional over-the-door shoe rack could be used to store toiletries or school supplies.

By keeping things organized, it’ll be easier to study and relax without worrying about the laundry or papers on your desk.