Alumnae, Geena Prestia ’21 and Angela Finn ’22 explain how you can transform your dorm room into a “home away from home.”

By: Geena Prestia ’21

Moving into your Ridley dorm room is the first step in designing your Ridley experience! Whether you are a boarder or a day student, decorating your room with both practical and personal items will give you a “home away from home” feel. Maybe you’ve already started brainstorming your design plan and are feeling a bit stuck on what you need to bring. In our latest blog post, recent graduates, Geena Prestia ‘21 and Angela Finn ‘22 give you the inside scoop on the dorm room must-haves for new Tigers!   
 
Prior to Ridley’s opening days, it is best to have all your dorm room essentials packed and ready to go. When it comes to the room itself, Ridley dorms are equipped with all the basics, so no need to worry about bringing a mattress on your flight over! Each dorm room in Ridley’s boarding houses has a bed, closet, desk and many shelves for the students to take advantage of. However, there are a few more practical items that are must-haves in your room.  

When Angela Finn reflects on her days living in G-East house as a full-time boarder, she offered these suggestions for what every new student should bring with them.

Shower Caddy

In the Ridley dorms, the bathrooms are communal. They are used by an entire floor full of students. “A shower caddy was a necessity when I was living in a dorm with about 50 girls. When you share a bathroom, it keeps your space clean and organized,” said Angela.

Bedroom Fan

Living with a bunch of your closest friends is a ton of fun but what is not too fun is melting in your dorm room. When Third Term springs around, it can get quite hot out, and heat really does rise. That’s why having a bedroom fan in your room is essential to maintain a comfortable temperature for sleeping, studying or even just hanging out.

Each day student is also assigned to a dorm room with typically one or two boarding students. Geena Prestia, a day student during her time at Ridley, loved spending time with her roommates in G-East and decorated her space, despite living at home. Here are her tips for personalizing your room to match your energy!

Wall Décor

Whether it be posters, printed photos or wallpaper, there are so many ways you can spice up your room with wall décor. “Because I didn’t sleep in my dorm room, I wanted to give it more of a homey feel. So, I made it my own by hanging up photos of my friends and mini posters with some of my favourite quotes,” said Geena. Put your personality on display in your dorm with a sports jersey, your country’s flag and all things YOU!

Bed Décor

Another easy way to express yourself in your dorm room is with bed décor. A good nap is always more enticing when there’s a fun pillow to lay your head on. You can bring decorative pillows, a bedspread with a cool pattern, and even a funky rug to add pops of colour to your new home away from home!

Living away from home for the first time can be scary, but it is also an exciting adventure. Make the most of your time. You won’t regret it!