Here's How:
- Make Your Bed.
You may think that college is the perfect time to forget about your parent’s admonition to make your bed. Think again. A made bed makes a huge difference in the appearance of a dorm room. In tight spaces, a bed is the focal point of the room and may double as a couch and study space. Make sure your bedding is simple and make your bed daily.
Bed Making Resources
How To Make a Bed
Video:How To Fold Flat and Fitted Sheets
Caring For Bed Linens - File Your Papers.
There is a lot of paperwork associated with going to college. Besides schoolwork, you may have receipts, warranty information, phone numbers, class schedules, etc. Create a filing system and maintain it weekly by filing important papers in the right file folders. Make extra copies of each of your course syllabi and file them. Setting up a filing system will make even more sense when it’s time to study for a final, or you need to return the new microwave that died.
Filing Resources
10 Tips for Paper Clutter
Manage Children's Paperwork
Important Paper Storage: What, Where, and How Long - Wash Dishes.
Chances are you don’t have dirty dishes that often, but make it a point to wash dishes in a timely fashion to prevent unwanted science projects. Create a dishwashing caddy with your dish soap, cloths, sponges. Dishwashing pans are helpful if you don’t have the ability to wash dishes in your room.
Dishwashing Resources
- Wipe down counters and appliances.
Wipe down all of your countertops, the inside and outside of your microwave, and refrigerator, as well as any other appliances. Take a few moments to throw out any expired food or leftovers from the refrigerator. As you wipe down surfaces, pick up any loose trash and toss it away.
More Resources
- Dust.
Dust particularly attracts itself to electronics, so be sure to dust down computers, stereos, and televisions. You will also need to periodically dust down ceiling corners and walls to remove cobwebs. Pictures in frames and windowsills may also need to be dusted occasionally. Don't forget to dust air vents, the tops of door frames, and switchplates.
More Dusting Resources
- Sweep/Vacuum/Mop
For carpeted rooms, it is important to vacuum the carpet regularly. If you don’t have your own vacuum, the dorm floor or Resident Desk may have one available for check out. Help protect your carpet or floors by having two mats, one outside and one inside the door. Use this time to spot treat any carpet stains. For hard surface floors, sweeping/vacuuming and mopping will be sufficient to keep the floors clean. If you have area rugs, shake them out and treat any stains.
More Floor Resources
- Organize your desk.
A desk is a college student's most valuable tool for academic success. Even the most gifted will be required to use their desks in order to graduate. Now that your papers are filed, take time to clean off and organize your desk. Remove all trash. Replace items that need to be put away. Arrange your office supplies and note any replacements that need to be bought.
- Bathroom
If you have your own bathroom or share one with a limited group of people, you may be responsible for cleaning it yourself. Follow this 15 Minute Bathroom Cleanup and Intense Cleanup for Bathrooms.
More Bathroom Resources
- Take care of the trash and details.
Take out the trash. Spray air freshener in the room. If you've borrowed any cleaning supplies, return those promptly. If it's time to do laundry, now could be a good time to make a laundry run. Be sure to take some study materials with you.
Tips:
- A cleaning caddy is a really useful tool to keep all of your cleaning supplies organized. They can be found very inexpensively at most dollar stores.
- If you use cleaning rags or sponges, these will need to be rinsed out, and/or washed and dried. If you leave them in a heap they will start to grow bacteria and smell awful.
- Make the time pass more quickly by putting on some music while you clean, or listening to a recorded lecture to help you study.
What You Need:
- Filing System
- Dish Washing Supplies
- All Purpose Cleaner or Other Cleaning Solutions
- Cleaning Rags or Paper Towels
- Dusters
- Broom and Dustpan
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Mop and Mop Bucket
- Bathroom Cleaning Supplies
