100% of students who attend The Citadel university in Charleston, South Carolina live in university housing, according to US News. Meanwhile, 98% of Harvard students choose university housing during their studies. As a student, living away from home for the first time can be a daunting prospect. Therefore, it's important to create a happy home by adding color, texture and personal touches to your new abode.
Setting a budget
Every student knows that college isn't cheap. The average graduate will owe $37,000 by the time they secure their degree. However, that shouldn't stop you from turning your university pad into a comfortable home. It's best to set a budget by reviewing your finances and determining how much you can afford to spend. Look for ways to save cash on your new furnishings too, such as by consolidating your student loans. By doing this, your repayments will be more favorable and you'll be left with some extra cash to help transform your student home.
Home Comforts
The average student spends between four and six years at university, reports The Washington Post. Therefore, you'll need plenty of soft furnishings to keep your new home comfortable, cozy and most of all feeling like home. A bright colored rug is a great way to add a burst of color to your room. Rugs are great as they take up a large amount of space, show off your personality and instantly warm up even the coldest of rooms. Meanwhile, a bedside lamp with a funky shade will help to provide a calm environment in the lead up to bedtime. And don't forget to scatter pillows on your sofa and chairs to create a delicate and inviting atmosphere.
Incorporate personal touches
69% of first-year college students experience homesickness, according to the UCLA Higher Education Institute. Thankfully, this feeling can be relieved just by sprucing up your place with your favorite items from home. Placing photos in budget-friendly wooden frames and dotting them around your dorm will help to create a homely environment. An ideal and low-cost way to personalize your university accommodation is to introduce your favorite scents to it. If you’re used to your parents’ home smelling of fresh herbs and spices or a soft lavender scent, introduce these smells into your university room via plants and candles.
As a student, you’ll spend hours in your university room. So be sure to make it as homely as possible by budgeting for some must-have warming features, such as a snazzy rug and pot plants. By doing this, you’ll reduce homesickness and create a cozy space that’s all yours.
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