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Design Your Dorm presents a series of back to school blogs. Check out our 3-D dorm room designer, to see and design your dorm before move in day.

College rooms are always smaller than you expect. But no worries, here are some tools that can help you organize your new dorm room.

Wall and Door Hooks

Use hooks for your towels, shirts, pants or shorts. Clearing up the clutter on the floor will make your room feel bigger, and cleaner. Standard hooks come with a sticky back. But if drilling is allowed, you can also screw or hammer hooks into the dorm walls.

Bed Risers

If you decide that you don't want to loft your bed, then getting bed risers is a great choice. They are generally black plastic cubes that go under each leg of the bed. They raise your bed by 6 inches, enough so that you can store some larger items under there.

[ Continue reading Organizing Tips To Make Your Dorm Room Feel Larger → ]

Design Your Dorm presents a series of back to school blogs. Check out our 3-D dorm room designer, to see and design your dorm before move in day.

Managing your money in college is tough. There are so many books to buy, so many concerts to see, and so many drinks... to drink. But you don't want to graduate buried in debt, right? We didn't think so. Here's ten tips on how to manage your money so Louie the Fish doesn't have to break your kneecaps.

1. Keep an eye on it

Try checking your money for at least four weeks and find out where you are spending it. Sometimes we spend way too much on little things that we don't notice and go overboard. When you know where your money is going, it's easier to figure out where you can cut back and save some of it.

2. Start Planning

The best way to manage your money is to make a simple budget. List all your expenses from dorm payments and loans to a single bus fare. See how much you spend, and decide if you could be spending less in any category. Then plan your expenditures for the future and stick to the plan!

3. Allocate money for fun

Saving money doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of fun. Buy music, Starbucks, video games, but just make sure you budget it out and don't go overboard.

4. Pace yourself

Some students tends to spend cash right when they get it. Just because you just got paid doesn't mean you should run out and buy a plasma screen. Make sure you have some money at the end of the semester so you don't have to give your parents construction paper dolls for Christmas... again.

[ Continue reading How To Manage Your Money In College → ]

Design Your Dorm presents a series of back to school blogs. Check out our 3-D dorm room designer, to see and design your dorm before move in day.

Moving into the dorms. Going to your first college class. This is a very exciting time for college freshmen across the country. So before move in day here is some advice on how to meet people:

Say Hi

Though this seems really simple, it is often the hardest thing to do. It is especially important the first day in the dorms. Even if it's a bit awkward, take a second to remember that everybody feels just like you, and then say, "Hi."

Join a Study Group

Study groups are a great way to meet new people. If you are lucky enough to meet smart people you will make new friends and make your life at college that much easier.

Rush a Fraternity/Sorority

The Greek system is an excellent way to meet new people. It is not right for everyone, but if you are curious we recommend that you rush. At most universities fraternities and sororities are built-in social networks, that get you out from life in the dorms.

[ Continue reading How To Meet People When You Move Into College → ]