It's that time of year again... It's time to go back to school and live in a dorm until Christmas break. The average college student gets homesick from time to time. They miss good home cooked meals and their families that love them dearly. Here are 5 simple ways to make your dorm room feel more like home and make the school year more enjoyable.

1. Bring your favorite bedding

Your bedding describes your personality. If you bring your favorite bedding from home, you will feel better and more comfortable sleeping in a 'foreign bed'. Also bring any decorative pillows or stuffed animals that reside on your bed. This will make your room feel less like a figurative prison.

2. Bring your favorite coffee mug

If morning is not your favorite time of day and coffee is the love of your life, you should bring your favorite coffee mug. You will feel on top of the world every day even though you are not at home. It can also help during those late night study sessions that come before midterms and finals.

3. Bring your favorite fragrance

Everyone has their favorite scent that they wear every so often. Bring it to school and wear it when you feel down or discouraged about a situation. It will lift your spirits and help you to think differently about your situation. It can also help you relax and feel less stressed during long days filled with classes ,organizational meetings, and various events on campus.

4. Keep photos of your family around

Family is a great motivator. Keeping pictures of your favorite family members on your desk will help remind you why you went away to college in the first place. If you can't find pictures of your favorite family members take a selfie with them before you leave and make it your home screen or lock screen on your phone.

5. Keep comfort foods in your room

Comfort foods are the best way to keep homesickness at bay. Whether you go to the grocery store or go to the cafeteria, you can find foods that remind you of a loved one's cooking. If you cannot find anything on campus, you can explore local food places around your campus and find great new foods that expand your horizons.

Dorm life can be difficult and slightly stressful. The easiest way to make college less stressful is to make your living space feel more like home. When you feel at home in college, life becomes easier and stress just melts away. I hope you enjoy these tips and have a safe and successful school year. If any of these tips work for you let me know. If you have any more tips don't forget to share them.