For freshmen at the University of Mississippi, decorating one’s dorm is no small task. The dorm room is likely the first space a freshman has inhabited independent of his or her parents. The newly moved young adults face a question asked by many college students: “How can I cram coziness, functionality and personality into such a tiny space?”
Here’s how some of the university’s newest residents have taken that challenge on headfirst.
Sydney McDonald, a freshman allied health studies major from San Antonio, Texas, decorated her dorm in Martin Hall alongside her twin sister and roommate, Reese. For the sisters, the first step to adjusting to life at Ole Miss was to decorate their dorm together.
For many students, every detail — even down to the color palette — represents an important sentiment. For the McDonalds, the colors represent a piece of their childhood, bringing a sense of familiarity to their new room.
“(Our favorite) colors when we were younger were pink and green. … We thought (these) would be the perfect colors to express what we like and how we would want our dorm to be decorated,” Sydney McDonald said.
Often, students bring photos of loved ones. Students who stick photos on their walls and desks have constant reminders of the people who matter most to them. Sydney McDonald said a photo of an important mentor was the first one she hung up.
“I knew I had to have a picture of the best coach I ever had, (who) was my cheer coach,” Sydney McDonald said. “One of the reasons I came (to Ole Miss) was because of her, so I knew I needed a picture of her somewhere.”
Small touches like a photo can make a big difference to new students. While sentimental pieces can make a dorm feel familiar, decorating can also allow students to make their mark on a generic space.
Making a dorm room unique — separating the space from its past residents — helps freshmen express their newfound independence. Seeking one’s own style and story was especially important to students like Brooks Berryhill, a computer science major from Olive Branch, Miss.
“I think decorating my dorm room has made it feel less like a dorm room and more like my dorm room,” Berryhill said. “Many students before have lived and loved this specific room. However, the way I decorated my room makes it truly feel like mine.”
Creating a comfortable space, however, is more than just decorating. Many freshmen take pride in making their rooms into homes.
“My favorite part about decorating the room had to be standing in the room once it was all set and done,” Berryhill said. “I have seen so many rooms that looked so dull and plain. … Coming back to a homey dorm room just makes me feel comfortable.”
Having items from home associated with family and friends is a simple way to connect to loved ones. Freshman political science major Gray Fisher, who is from Oxford, brought art that was special to him and his older brother to his dorm room.
“Most of my decorations are pictures I printed and art that my brother and I made, some of which he used when he lived in the dorm — same with the furniture,” Fisher said. “I tend to prefer a chiller vibe, which I think my decorations and furniture help to cultivate.”
There was one piece of art Fisher was especially excited to display in his dorm.
“My brother made this three-piece drawing of a city that’s probably (2.5) by 5 feet tall, so I thought it would look great on the wall,” Fisher said. “I think just the fact that most of the decorations are from home really helps with that personal feeling.”
Small details like color schemes and handmade art help create a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar place. A dorm is more than just four walls and a bed; it is the place where students make memories to last long after they leave.
