Freshman year brings so many new experiences, and living in a dorm room is one of the biggest. Who knew so much could fit in such a tiny space?! I'd like to share with you a few things I learned my freshman year about dorm-room living. It's as fun as you make it, so make it fun!

1. Call your parents!

No matter if you want to be cool and do this without them, think of how they are feeling. Their little baby is off to college and away from home. Also, it’s a good idea to call home and make sure your bedroom hasn’t turned into mom’s new sewing room or dad’s new workout area, EW!

They love you and just need to hear your voice every once in awhile. You don't have to admit it, but I know you will need it too.

2. Moving in doesn’t have to be so complicated.

Unless you've done something like this before, moving just about everything you have into a car and then a tiny dorm can be hard. Clothing from home that is on hangers can stay put, just put a garbage bag around the clothing with a hole for the hangers to stick out. Try to pack clothing and other items in containers that you plan on using in your dorm room. Most freshman, well just about everyone, will over pack and it’s hard not to when you don’t know what is in store. Just be aware that freshman dorm rooms are usually very small and there are only so many places to shove your clothes. Putting a pretty scarf over a pile of dirty clothes in your closet will not fool anyone, trust me I would know.

Typically, there is some sort of long weekend in the upcoming weeks, so if you know you forgot something, or know you over packed, you’ll have the perfect time to make changes. Don’t worry, after moving in and back out, you will realize you don’t need half the stuff you thought you would.

3. It is honestly worth it to spend the day after move-in decorating your room.

Make it you, make it home-y. Having a space, you love and feel comfortable in helps make the move less jarring. This is probably the first room you got to completely decorate the way you want. You may have boring white walls, but that’s the prefect canvas to make your dorm your own. Plus, leaving your dorm open attracts people come in and see all the cute stuff on your walls and how you arranged your furniture. Making friends is always fun!

4. Work with your roommate.

There is no reason to have two soaps for the one small sink you both share. Go halves or one of you buy the hand soap and the other the dish soap. Don’t make it more complicated than it is, it's only soap.

Do something nice for him or her every once in a while. It is a good idea to keep the person you live with nine months out of the year a friend instead of a frenemy. Plus it builds your friendship and allows time for you two to de-stress and hang out.

5. Make cleaning a habit.

Even if you suck at keeping your own room straight at home, you have to keep your dorm room tidy. I don’t mean wipe everything and sweep everyday but make your bed. Put away your clothes, doing this twice a week is better than never. Have cleaning products on hand or make friends with someone across the hall who has a broom.

6. Headphones are necessary.

Even if you and roomie have the same taste in music, you might be jamming out while she’s doing homework. Be respectful and you’ll get the same in return. Headphones are perfect to drown out the people in the library who don't understand you need to cram, without hearing about the rad beer pong game they played last night. Can't sleep, pop in earbuds and watch some "Grey's Anatomy." Need motivation during the workout new friends dragged you into? Headphone!

7. Living without your parents around is cool but those mornings your roommate already went to class and your alarm didn’t go off… not cool.

Have a reliable way to wake yourself up every morning. Don’t snooze more than once. It’s a terrible habit to create and so hard to break. Snoozing just once can trick your brain and make waking up that much harder.

8. Make an effort to look presentable at least half the time.

Professors do notice and this can be a blessing or a curse; especially when it comes time to gather letters of recommendation or character from your educators. They will remember the students that come to class (unless there are 400 of you), were informed and acted and treated others well. But everyone knows you want to sleep in, so sweats are just as acceptable, just remember to brush your hair. Take college as it comes, clothing isn't everything.

9. The freshman 15 happens.

All-you-can- eat meals aren’t necessary. Desserts are so, so delicious, too, but won’t help you fit into your jeans. Stretchy pants are amazing, but try the gym out once a week to make sure stretchy pants aren’t the only option. Being steps away from food while living in a dorm will be tempting.

10. College campuses seem to attract mother nature.

It is quite possible to have every season in one week, so having one pair of booties to keep your toes warm goes a long way. Take a light jacket on move in day, even though its 95 degrees outside and 80 degrees in your dorm hall. It's easy enough to just go back to your dorm to change, but think smart and be prepared for snow in August, and hope it never comes. Talk to tour guides and professors about what the weather is really like on your campus. The school has already taken your money; they don’t have to sell the place to you anymore.

11. It really is possible to go out and have fun while still maintaining good grades.

Please go out, especially as a freshman. College campuses host events all the time. Go to the sporting events, go to the Halloween parties, go have a movie night crammed in someone’s tiny dorm room. Just do it. You’ll make memories and friends you’ll never forget. Freshman year, everyone’s arms are open. The majority of the incoming freshman are just like you. They aren’t going to know many other people and they will be looking to make friends.