I remember freshman year when I was stressed beyond all belief, had 2 midterms a day for 3 days, and basically stopped sleeping. By the end of day 2 my bed turned into a dumping ground for everything from clothes to empty food containers to looseleaf papers and textbooks. With nowhere to even entertain the idea of sleep, I very nearly had a mental breakdown.

So, while you may think it’s totally worth it to let the mess grow until it’s time to go home for Thanksgiving, these quick and easy organizing tips will keep you sane enough to get through midterms, finals and (most importantly) those Friday night impromptu pre-game sessions!

Step One: Get a (big) garbage can and USE it!

I don’t think you’re stupid but I am going to assume you’re lazy. So, this is why I say you must get a big garbage can and throw away everything you don’t need. Old notes, papers that are cluttering your desk, old chinese food containers. Get it out of the room!

You live in a virtual shoebox, right? It’s time to accept the fact that you only have room for the essentials: a bed, desk, that handle of Georgi that you’re hiding from the RA in the back of the closet. That’s it. Then? Take the trash out (regularly)!

Feel better yet?

Step Two: Everything has a place…keep it that way.

While it may seem like a daunting task, it’s time to organize your closet.

Unless you’re made of money and consider the girls of Gossip Girl to be fashion amateurs, this won’t take you more than an hour or two. You know why? Easy! The Great Closet Overhaul of 2007 doesn’t involve color coding your closet and labeling your shoe boxes, it simply requires you to gather up all of the piles of clothing around the room and make a place for them.

Buy some cheap hangers and start hanging! This means dresses, sweaters, blouses, belts, and dress pants. All of your t-shirts, sweat pants, underwear and jeans can go in drawers. And when it comes to laundry, use that pop-up clothes basket I know you own! FYI: dousing your dirty clothes in Febreze and letting them air out for a few hours doesn’t count as doing laundry (although it totally works in a pinch).

Step Three: Make your dorm your own.

This may sound contradictory to the whole de-clutter thing that I feel so strongly about, but in order to feel good about your dorm you have to make it feel like your home. What to do?

Read up on Feng Shui and make some simple adjustments to your room set-up. Find some novel ways to hang things on your wall (and I’m not talking about that James Dean poster everyone else has…). Hit two birds with one stone (clutter and decoration)!

When it comes down to it, what matters most is that you feel comfortable and clear-headed when you are in your room. Considering your dorm acts as a bedroom/living room/kitchen, it’s important to utilize the space and feel good about being there!

Not to mention, you’ll want to be ready when your hallmates come over for an unexpected visit.

Now tonight, take a few hours and make your room your own! You’ll thank me when you’re knee deep in Biology notes and all you want to do is take a nap!