Bri’s lovely dorm. (Bri Nitsberg | Managing Photo Editor)

As WashU students, most of us have dozens of other things going on in our lives, and organizing is usually the last priority. Keeping your space tidy doesn’t have to take hours of your life every week. These are easy tips on how to get your sh*t organized (and actually keep it that way). Use the space under your bed

The absolute best place for storage in a dorm room is going to be underneath your bed. Whatever doesn’t fit in the closet or your dresser will most likely have to be under the bed, so it is super important to organize this space well.

The biggest problem with organizing under the bed is the tendency of things to get lost down there. Getting drawers, bins, and/or organizers helps keep everything in its place. Deep under-the-bed drawers are the best storage option if you are looking to organize extra clothes. For things like toiletries and snacks, clear bins in different sizes are a good way to keep everything contained. 

Under your bed is also one of the best places to organize all of your shoes. These are usually pretty bulky, so storing them under your bed keeps them out of the way. To organize, you can either get a shoe rack, bin, or storage ottoman. Any of these keep your shoes out of sight and contained in one place.

Get rid of stuff

This tip might seem obvious, but it is so important in a dorm room. You will only have space for so many things. So the best way to stay organized throughout the semester is to get rid of as much as possible. 

Most of the time, people don’t use half of the stuff that they have in their dorm rooms. Look through all of your toiletries, school supplies, and other random items in your room, keeping only your absolute essentials. Pare down your wardrobe to what you wear consistently. 

Having less stuff means that everything has a home in your room. This way, it is easier to keep things as organized as possible, even if you are crazy busy all the time.

Put things away as you use them

The best way to consistently keep your room clean is by putting things away as you use them. If you are getting ready for a night out and trying on a million outfits, put them all back before you leave for the night. If you get back for the day and have a bunch of things in your hands, put them away before you do anything else. Even if it’s just one thing, make sure it goes back into its home immediately.

Getting into the habit of doing this every single time you walk into your room makes a massive difference. You will no longer have to spend crazy amounts of time cleaning up your room because everything is already going to be put away. 

Make your bed

This seems silly, but there’s a reason everyone and their mother tells you to make your bed. It is going to help, I promise.

Right when you get up and start getting ready for the day, make your bed. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but at least straighten your blanket and arrange your pillows nicely. This is a great way to start your day productively. Especially in a small room, having your bed made helps the entire space look much more put-together (even if the rest is a bit messy). 

Have a catch-all spot

Let’s be honest: We are all extremely busy and sometimes just aren’t able to put everything away. If that’s the case, the best way to handle it is to prepare in advance.

Designate somewhere in your room as a catch-all spot for the random things that you might not have time to put away immediately. This can be a spare basket, the top of your dresser, or an empty bin under your bed. As things get messy, your miscellaneous possessions can be discarded in this spot.

However, remember to clean this spot weekly. Make it a part of your routine to go through it every weekend or some other time in your schedule. This way, you can manage your clutter whenever you don’t have time to stay organized.

Your space won’t always look perfect, and that is completely fine. Doing little things like buying organizers, consistently putting things away, and making your bed makes a massive difference in keeping your room as organized as possible throughout the semester.