216 square feet of concrete walls, paint chips, and photos of your best friends. Your dorm room is not only your canvas to display your personality on the walls, but your blank slate for the start of each new year. This room will shape you as a person and as a student, so here are some ways to be productive in your dorm room:

Separate where you work from where you rest.

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In such a small space, this task can be complicated, but it is so important to keep your desk for studying and your bed for sleeping. If you designate your desk for studying then you will know that when you sit down, it is time to focus. Whereas, if you are trying to study in bed, you are going to realize a nap would be a better idea. Once you designate your working space, all you have to do is motivate yourself to get out of bed.

Leave your alarm on the other side of the room.

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No snoozing! If you plug your phone in on a different side of the room (assuming you use your phone for alarms like every millennial), you have to stand up and walk to turn it off. This will mean you can't accidentally turn your alarm off and fall back to sleep, unless you can sleep standing up. I have seen people fail classes because they slept through an exam; don't be that person.

Inspire yourself!

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It seems like the smallest thing, but when I write an inspirational quote on my mirror, my entire attitude for the day changes. The first thing I do when I wake up is go wash my face, so when I read something positive first thing in the morning, I have a better start to my day. My roommate also writes encouraging messages on our mirror, so having a friend wish you luck on an exam is also a great way to motivate you before your day has even started.

Keep it clean!

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Your dorm room is an accurate representation of who you are and your personality. So, when your room is a mess, your life will end up being a mess as well. If I really cannot be bothered to clean or I feel like I will start cleaning but never finish, I set a timer for 20 minutes and power clean. Sometimes when I have been sat down studying for a while, I put on Beyonce and do a 20-minute power clean as a study break.

Treat yourself!

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Don't forget to take breaks and have fun. You can only continue to be productive if you don't wear yourself out first. Keep a stash of your favorite snacks and coffee. Cuddle up in your favorite blanket and binge Netflix every once in a while. Cry and scream if you are having a mental breakdown. Rant to your roommate and listen when she needs someone to talk to.

Once you take your blank canvas of a dorm room and make it one of your own, you will be able to be your best self. You will make memories and find yourself. Most of your college experience will be determined within the confines of your dorm room, make it worth it!