As the school year is quickly approaching, so is the big day of moving into your new dorm. All you newbies out there are probably freaking out about, "What do I bring?", "What should I get for my room?", "How much do I bring?" and "Will I need a TV?" You're concerned that you bought too much, but you're scared you don't have enough to keep you happy and satisfied. After experiencing my first year of college life, here are my five tips to help ease your stress of the big day.

Tip 1. Clothing

If you don't think you're going to wear it often... DON'T BRING IT! You will probably end up going home more then you realize (depending on the school you go to and where you live). You can always change out clothes from one season to next whenever you are back home for the weekend or your first long break. Out of all of the clothing I had brought to college with me my first year, I only wore about a quarter of it. My drawers and closes were F.U.L.L. FULL... no exaggeration. This ended up making my space everywhere else very limited when I could have had less amount of clothing and used more closet and drawer space for other items.

Tip 2. Sleeping

In my opinion, a mattress or mattress topper is the BEST investment of your college life. The mattress at most colleges provide little to no support to your part. They feel like the beds at the camp your parents sent you to that you didn't even want to go to. Rocks with tarps under them from what I've heard. Sleeping is the best gift you can give yourself in college, so go out and treat yo self to a nice memory foam mattress topper and get the beauty sleep you deserve (and for some of you... need.)

Tip 3. Parents

So you don't get mad and throw a fit let your parents do what they need to do, so they feel comfortable that your room is setup the way it would be at home. More than likely you will not have to do any work at all besides unload the car. Your parents will put everything in place for you. If you don't like it then change it the minute they leave. You're the one living in there, not them. Besides, they would not realize you moved anything around when they come to visit you months later. P.S. to my mother, who will read this article, this does not apply to you. You did a wonderful job!

Tip 4. Roommates

You MUST coordinate with your new roommate before you move in. You don't want to go out and buy something that your roommate is already bringing. For you girls, you should really know what color bedspread they are bringing if you are one of those OCD people where the entire room has to match (I'd do the same thing if I was a girl). Knowing what they are bringing will help you save some money and space in your car.

Last, but not least....

Tip 5. Cleaning

This section pertains to the homeboys. Most girls are tidy and neat, so cleaning and keeping everything in order will not be an issue. Guys, clean your room... please. Do us all a favor. No one wants to see the inside of your pig stye when you decide that you want to leave the door wide open for the world to inhale the magical stenches you create. I guarantee you that any female will not enjoy seeing your nappy underwear hanging on your bedpost from two weeks ago because you're too lazy to do your laundry. Girls like clean and well kept men. Buy a hamper and put all your dirties in there. Don't designate a section of your room to your dirty laundry. You don't know what kind of mysteries and creatures could be under there. Girls, when in doubt, just don't go into a guy's room unless you are 17482340 percent positive they know what a washer and drier is. To everyone, clean your room and do your laundry. The rest of us around you will be happy.