Decorating your dorm room is one of the most exciting parts about starting college. First you pick out your bed spread to be the inspiration for the rest of the room so you can show off who you are with your totally unique monograms and Lily Pulitzer. Sometimes, though, things can get out of hand extremely quickly. With the pressure for your dorm to look like a page out of a Pottery Barn catalogue, your mother wanting her say in every last piece of curtain thread, and your general inclination towards the basic things in life, how can your dorm not become a carbon copy of every other girl from your hometown's dorm, but more of a cozy place that individually makes you happy? That's up to you, but I can tell you what I think are some of the most unnecessary dorm decoration trends.

1. A Ridiculous Amount of Throw Pillows.

Seriously, they're going to end up all over the floor anyway. Maybe pick one or two that strike your fancy. Also, don't be afraid to show off your personality here. Pokemon are just as cool as Chevron.

2. Matching Everything with your Roommate.

Maybe this one is just my personal preference, but my roommate and I are the best of friends and we still agreed that we needed our own unique space on either side of our room. Plus, this kind of reminds me of 6th grade. To each their own.

3. Monograms.

Fine, maybe you just REALLY like your initials. Who am I to judge? Maybe narrow it down to one pillow or wall hanging. Moderation is key here - basics.

4. High School Anything.

It's okay Troy, you didn't know.

No one really wants to see your diploma, or sports trophies, or letterman jacket in a shadow box. Stick to a couple good photos of you and your friends and make way for college memorabilia.

5. Alcohol Paraphernalia.

It's college, we know you drink.

6. Gigantic Photo Collage.

The bigger your collage, the more friends you had in high school. Obviously.

7. Any of these posters.

I will own up to my basic-ness in this moment to say, I am not ashamed to have all of these on my wall. Support these classy ladies!