For the first couple months of your life in college, you're probably going to be required to live in this magical thing called a dorm. It's usually a small little room in a big hall full of students that come with "everything you need to survive" but it's all cramped in there.

Meaning, things gotta stay at home, honey. You may want to bring all your clothes but you're probably going to have to learn to share your small space with two, three, maybe even four people.

It may be scary at first living on your life, but this change could be for the better! You get to meet lots of new people and live on campus.

You'll get to experience being independent while also learning to coexist while living with another human being. Here are some tips to help you adjust:

1. Befriend the neighbors

Stop by to at least say hello to the people across or right next to you. Offer to help them move in or ask if they need anything that you have in your possession. If you have something like a TV, printer, iron, etc. that can become valuable as the semester comes along and people may be asking to borrow from you. Ask if they want to go to lunch or ask what they're working on. Make small talk but sound genuinely interested, even if it's boring. Ask what their major is or what their plans are for the summer.

2. Decorate your space

Bring colorful things if you're the type of person to want a positive space. Colorful pins and whiteboards can be fun ways to customize a desk. Also, knick-knacks and personal items can make a bold statement but don't bring too much. Find a good place to store things and hang your keys. Damage-free command hooks can be your best friend, but don't push it! If you like stuffed animals, bring a couple so there will be a friendly face waiting for you when you come home.

3. Make an alliance with your roommate

Talk about things like your sleeping habits. Find a way to give each other the space you both want. Find out their dislikes and likes when it comes to living. Try to keep your side clean and encourage them to follow your lead. Give them equal space in the room. Let them use your items only if they're comfortable. Invite them out to lunch or out if they seem distant or uncomfortable with being in a new environment or if they seem lonely. Don't eavesdrop if they talk to someone on the phone, give them the same privacy you would like.

4. Listen to your RA

Even though it might seem lame, you really need your Resident Assistant. Find out which room they're in because when you get locked out of your room, you need to find one ASAP to get to class on time or just so that your food doesn't get cold waiting. They also usually watch the entrances when you go in and out and it would be polite to at least greet them. They may also promote events in your hall to help you find friends and do cool stuff for your dorm!

5. Take care of yourself

The most important of all; consider yourself! Make good food choices and eat healthily! Don't eat mostly junk food and try to go outside your dorm once in a while. Sit down for a decent meal and stop eating a lot of junk. Keep breathing when you get stressed out! Make time to just do you for a while! Take a blanket or a towel to go sit on the quad in the sun or go get a nice Pizza and a good movie. Think of others but also think for yourself!

Dorm living is not that bad after a while. It's just an adjustment but it's an opportunity to meet new people and have new experiences. It may not be ideal but it will definitely give you memories to last a lifetime!