It's almost that time of year! The fall semester is right around the corner and it's time to start putting everything into boxes. Move-in day will be here before you know it.

This is such an exciting time for incoming freshmen. The first time really living away from home, living on your own terms, and having full independence, are probably some of the big things you're looking forward to. Most colleges require first-year students to live on-campus. However, if your school is not one of these, I recommend you give it a go, anyways, because it's pretty much a prerequisite. It's definitely an experience worth having - good or bad.

1. If there is one thing I regret about my freshman year it is the fact that I never made my dorm "homey." The whole time I felt as if I was staying in a hotel and the trip would be over soon enough. Of course, that was never the case. The dorm rooms by themselves usually aren't very pleasant (if I'm being honest), so it truly is what you make it! You can never have too many canvases, wall art, or picture frames to cover up the dull walls. In fact, the more the merrier! I recommend curtains and lamps, as well, because the room is guaranteed to either have too much lighting or too little.
2. If you know absolutely anyone going to the same college as you, request them as your roommate! Even if you just shared an English class together once and sat on opposite sides of the room. Just take my word on this one. Random roommate assignments are not something I would suggest if you have the option to do otherwise. Don't get me wrong, there have been cases where a random assignment turns out to have led to great friendships and everything is wonderful, but sometimes, it just doesn't work out. If you do get a random assignment, get in touch with the person or people that you will be living with as soon as you possibly can because you will be living with them day in and day out.
3. Whoever your roommate ends up being, you need to coordinate with them. The last thing you want to do is end up with no microwave or clashing themes.
4. Set ground rules with your roommate the first day. Even if you consider yourself a pretty laid back person, create some rules or guidelines. Like: don't leave dishes in the sink for more than a day, or pick up your clothes, or even just take out the trash when it's full. I promise you, it will be the little things that tick you off the most.
5. Last but not least, I know a lot of people who get a completely new room when they set off to college. What I mean by that is that they buy everything new to put into their room as if nothing in their room back home was good enough: new furniture, new bathroom necessities, new clothes. Don't do all of that. You're wasting your money if you do. Some things you do need new things for, like bedspreads - chances are you didn't have an XL twin bed back home - but for the most part, take what you have. It will be more comfortable for you in the long run.

Whatever advice you do heed, at least heed this: make the best of your situation. The experiences you have and the bonds you form in your first year will be the foundation of the four years to come!