Going away to college for the first time can be a very frightening process. You’ve left the security and comfort of being in your own home, being with family and friends, and sometimes most importantly, your pets. I have always been raised with a house full of assorted animals that I cannot live without. In preparing for the big transition of home life to academic life, it might surprise you that for many institutions of higher learning you may not need to be separated from your favorite pal.  

Nothing annoys me more than having a cluttered and disorganized room; my OCD kicks in immediately if I see anything out of place. One of the best habits you can get into your first few weeks of college, if you haven’t already, is to keep you and your room organized. In doing so, you are more likely to know where the essentials are and when assignments are due.

Moving away from home for the first time into a tiny room can be daunting. Michael shares a few suggestions to help make your dorm feel like home.

Going from a regular sized room at home to your new shoebox room at college can be difficult but there are easy ways to stay organized and make the most out of the space you are living with.

Choosing your preferred style of dorm room is a big decision! Here's the different things to consider:

Our University of Florida On-Campus Specialist Daniela Suarez-Rivero shares her college dorm checklist for moving into the dorms at UF.