Have you been wanting to find ways to improve your dorm or decorate it for the holiday season? While you may not have traditional Christmas decorations, there are plenty of ways to winterize your dorm to make it cozy and ready for finals. As we approach our final weeks of the semester, don’t let your room add to your stress.
Lighting
Although this may be obvious to many students, some don’t realize the impact lighting can have on their space. Our dorms at Cortland have bright fluorescent lights, usually making it hard to focus. If you have not already purchased fairy or LED lights for your dorm, I would recommend getting those or having at least warm-toned light bulbs in your own personal lamps. Not only will the warm lighting make your space more inviting, but it can reduce stress and improve your focus during this busy time of year.
Décor
While you may not have traditional Christmas decorations for your dorm room, creating your own or just reorganizing your space can make your dorm feel more like home. Making your own decorations is a creative way to add a personal touch to your dorm. It is also a chance to have a craft night with either your roommate or friends. Even just reorganizing your room will contribute to a cozier and calmer space. Taking time to decorate with intention will overall support your well-being as the semester finishes.
Music and Sound
Create a winter playlist that helps you focus, relax, or just play in your dorm. Music is a way to regulate your nervous system and help you unwind. Whether you make an instrumental playlist to study to or a Christmas-themed playlist will improve your mood. Sound is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy of the room.
Staying Warm
It may seem simple, but during the fall/winter months, as the dorms get colder, adding comfortable blankets, pillows, and even a new rug can help your room feel warmer and more inviting. We usually forget to bring extra bedding and other items from home, so checking that you have extra is a significant way to help your future self and dorm. Adding a few extra blankets or a new pair of slippers can be effective, making you look forward to the small things.
Continue/upgrade your routine
Waking up in the same space every day may get repetitive, especially as finals are approaching. Building a routine that keeps you grounded yet productive is essential for the last few weeks of the semester. Getting up early may be a struggle as we near the end of November, but having small hobbies in the morning may give you something to look forward to. Consider buying your favorite kind of tea to have with breakfast, starting a journal, or finding time in your day to add movement. These moments that you make time for yourself can help you slow down and enjoy the present moment.
After a short but beneficial list of ways to find comfort in your own dorm during finals/the holiday season, hopefully, you found some useful ways to improve your space. Even the smallest changes can shift how you feel in your own room. It is a good reminder that our dorms are not just a place to study but our own sanctuary. Taking care of your space is an impactful way to ultimately take care of yourself.