Getting a Head Start

POV: You finally made a decision and picked where you want to attend college. You talk to some of your upcoming peers and find a roommate and a room. Just when you think the hard part is over, you realize that you have to figure out how to decorate your dorm.

“I’m going with a ‘boho’ theme with colors like mustard yellow and terracotta,” said senior Kendyl Steighner.

Steighner is attending IUP.

“I’m living in the Cook Honor College in a suite. I do not have a roommate yet…sensitive topic,” said Steighner.

Senior Cale Patten is going to St. Bonaventure.

“I’ve never thought of [decorating] as a man,” said Patten.

I think it’s safe to say that girls put a little more thought into decorating their dorm rooms than guys do.

“My room will be decorated with pre-workout and whey,” said Patten.

Senior Nicole Critchlow is attending The University of Pittsburgh and is living in a double room.

“I want to have a white and blue color scheme with a cozy feeling,” said Critchlow.

Finding inspiration can be kind of difficult, however, both girls use Pinterest to help them out.

“I love a comfy throw blanket or body pillow,” said Steighner.

Dorms need a comfortable vibe, especially because they can be so bland before decorating, or if you don’t decorate enough.

“I want to have a big fluffy rug,” said Critchlow.

Not all inspiration can be good inspiration, though.

“I hate the cheesy tapestry and pastel pink decor,” said Steighner.

Critchlow also agrees.

“I don’t know why, I just don’t like [tapestries],” said Critchlow.

Once you figure out how you want to decorate your dorm, you must find places to shop from.

“I’m buying a lot of decor from Amazon, Etsy, and Target,” said Steighner.

For me, I think I am planning on a hot pink and sage green theme. I’d like to have a lot of different kinds of lights in my room because fluorescent lighting is just not it.

I am sharing a semi-suite with a roommate, so we both have our own rooms, but we have a shared bathroom and kitchen area.

Also, I’ve been watching a lot of dorm necessity videos on Tiktok to see what I should take to college with me.

If there’s any advice you want to take to easily figure out your college living plan, Steighner said, “Try to find a roommate as soon as you can.”