1. Family pictures
It may seem cheesy, but you will have days where homesickness rears its ugly head. My family pictures always made me feel so much better when I had moments like this.
2. Swiffer Wet-Jet
This made my life so much easier whenever I spilled something or wanted to clean my room.
3. A filtered water pitcher
If I didn’t want to go to common areas in my residence hall where filtered water is available, I could just fill up my filtered water pitcher from my sink.
Some sort of headphones! No matter how close you are with your roommate, sometimes you just need to plug in your music, a phone call, or video and give yourself space.
I decorated for the holiday seasons and made things festive. I always tried to incorporate family and festivities to make my room feel more like mine.
A TV and a gaming console. Don’t waste your time. Between school, friends, and clubs, I never had time for gaming like I did in high school, and I think my television and console just took up valuable space.
1. Storage bins
It was helpful having storage totes for organizational purposes for all things—extra clothes, power cords, linens, and more. I stored most of these bins under my bed and pulled them out when needed.
2. A lap desk
I used this when I returned from classes and was tired of sitting at a desk all day.
3. Decorations
Every freshman should make their room their own, you’ll be living there for the next year. I brought just a few canvas prints that reminded me of home and who I want to become.
I brought lots and lots of photos from home, high school, clubs, and band. I placed them around my room and desk!
Every student should bring something from home that was part of their childhood. This could look different for everyone, but personally, I brought my childhood stuffed animal. I didn’t think I’d need it, but when I got homesick the first few weeks after move-in, that little stuffed elephant helped me push through so I could find my family here at OU.
A lamp and ambient lightning strips for my room. I could have dim, quieter lights for nighttime or while I watched movies, and it was always helpful on the mornings when I woke up early for class and my roommate continued sleeping.
Something meaningful, something fun, and something motivating—whether these items are a blanket from home, a classic board game, or pictures of family, these things will help keep you grounded when you feel homesick, need a brain break, or need a final push to finish an assignment!
A mattress topper! Make your bed your oasis and make it comfy because it’s yours for the entire year.
I bought Blu-Tack adhesive and used it to stick pictures on my wall, desk, and closet to make it feel more like home. Using this adhesive made me avoid the risk of putting holes in the wall or ruining the paint.
My cutlery and plate ware were seldom used because I utilized the Couch Restaurants, the Union, and Xcetera for my meals and snacks. I had one set I just reused and washed after use to avoid clutter and mess, and even then, I rarely used it.
"Norman and campus is very bike-friendly. As a freshman, I didn't have a bike on campus, but I wish I did for all the times I had class across campus. Campus has bike lanes specifically for cyclists, making it easier and safer for cyclists and walkers. Looking back, that's something I wish I had taken full advantage of — a bike and a good helmet."
