The closet is packed with clothes, and the rest are hanging on the bathroom shower rod. Stereos, televisions, CD storage boxes and computers crowd desktops, dressers and even the beds. A futon blocks open the door, also piled with boxes and clothes.

Four college freshmen survey the utter confusion, each thinking, “Now what do we do?”

The months of college preparation are over and it’s finally moving day! This fall, 75 percent of you college freshmen will have moved into dorms, the majority living with a roommate for the first time in your lives.

Strangers thrown together from different worlds, you need to adjust to each other’s quirks, habits and schedules without driving each other crazy.

Adjusting to roommates and dorm life is easier when expectations are realistic, explains Paul Bradley, dean of residence life at Northwestern College in Saint Paul, Minn. “So many times we’ve seen students come into the dorm believing their roommates will be their friends for life, their best buddies. The roommates, on the other hand, may see the room only as a place to sleep since they already have a social network. Then it’s a mess; there’s hurt, confusion and tension.”

While some colleges attempt to match roommates based on information gathered on housing forms (majors, hobbies, regions of the country), a match is never guaranteed. It’s not unusual to end up with roommates who are stiff and structured, social butterflies and nose-in-the-book academics — all in one room.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

A key to successful adjustment is communication, Bradley says. “Communication is vital to any relationship, even roommates. They need to share openly on such issues as cleanliness, visitation, music, study time and lights out.”

“It’s best to talk about issues early,” says Joy Santee, a 2000 Northwestern graduate who lived in residence halls for two years. “Agree on perimeters and talk through issues before they become problems and get out of control.”

Resident hall assistants (RAs) sometimes provide opportunities for roommates to meet with each other to discuss expectations and issues. If not, Bradley advises, take the initiative and have an informal meeting with your roommates.

Once perimeters are established, it may be necessary to make adjustments as new issues arise. “We had a roommate who never did dishes, so we sat down as a group and initiated a policy about doing dishes,” Santee explains.

Bradley says another key to successful communication is setting up protocol for information exchange. “I suggest a message board near the phone with a calendar that can be filled in with who’s going to be gone on weekends or overnights, when visitors are coming, parties, work schedules. Be sure to write legibly all messages from visitors and phone calls.”

When There’s a Problem

A big part of the college experience is learning effective confrontational skills and initiating communication when there are problems. Bradley says most students don’t like to confront others. “Often they try to live with the problem or ignore it, but it can go too far and usually someone gets hurt,” he says.

Common aggravations include sloppiness, dividing food, visitors, personal space, music tastes and quiet time. When problems arise, try to solve them as a room first, Bradley explains. “Don’t beat around the bush or drop hints. Talk as a room, not belittling or ganging up on anyone. Be factual. Set or reiterate policies. But if problems persist, you may need to ask the RA to act as a liaison.”

However, incompatibility does happen. When you believe it is best to switch rooms, go through the proper channels with the RA. Be honest, yet tactful, with your roommates as to why you are leaving.

“Ask what their plans are because others could be thinking the same thing, which could eliminate the problem and you won’t have to move,” Bradley says. “Give some advance notice. It’s rude to announce at the last minute you’re moving out. It leaves others with guilt, confusion and a feeling of failure.”

Practical Advice

Whether it’s your first roommate arrangement or your fifth, Bradley and Santee do have practical advice to make dorm life harmonious.

1. Practice common courtesy when it comes to visitation. Establish policies or schedules, setting aside nights for quiet and study time. “This is where having a calendar on the message board really comes in handy,” Bradley emphasizes. “It minimizes surprising the roommate who comes home at midnight after a full day of classes and work wanting to get some sleep only to find a party going on. Planning ahead makes it possible for arranging other places to study or spend the night.”

2. Keep a balance of rights and compromise. Be flexible, but not at the expense of your studies or health. Honor your roommates’ rights to guests and socializing; after all, they are paying for the room, too.

3. Express issues and develop tactful, effective confrontation skills. Such skills will pay off in the future.

4. Whether you or your roommate has a car, set policies on borrowing the car or giving rides, taking into consideration gas, mechanical expenses and scheduling.

5. Set a policy about borrowing each other’s clothes to avoid problems when clothing is borrowed without asking.

6. Try not to get caught in the middle of roommates’ family issues. For example, a parent may call seeking “investigative” information about the roommate or the other parent. Avoid sharing information that could create tension, leading to further conflict. In most cases, it’s best to refer the parent to a more appropriate person, such as a college staff member.

As for the state of confusion and bulging dorm room on moving day, avoid this by contacting your roommates ahead of time to see who is bringing what (furniture, electronic equipment, recreational items).

Contact the college to determine the size of the room, what furnishings are provided and number of electrical outlets. Wait to bring seasonal items such as winter clothes and skis until holiday breaks to avoid overcrowding.

And remember, you aren’t the only one who is homesick, disoriented or undergoing roommate conflict. There is help available, so seek it through your RA, housing coordinator or better yet, your roommates!

Decorating decisions are easy, major life decisions are hard. If you’re facing a fork in the road, talk to a mentor. We can help.

Whether you are a freshman feeling anxious and excited about college or a seasoned senior who can’t wait to graduate, your dorm or apartment room will be a home away from home for a good two thirds of your year.

It should be a place where you can study effectively and provide safe sanctuary from outside stress. Your abode should be a place where you can host movie nights or curl up with a good book.

Of course, there are a few obstacles to creating the perfect oasis of collegiate bliss.

Most college students are not made of money, so finding inexpensive items at department stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Zellers or a thrift store is a plus. If you live far away from your college, you may have to pay for shipping or storage over the summer, which can also drain your resources.

Then there is your roommate. Definitely ask what s/he has in mind, but don’t feel pressured to coordinate exactly or let his or her design concept prevent you from expressing yourself. You will both be happier if you respect each other’s right to decorate your spaces however you want. If you both agree on a color scheme, that’s great, but otherwise don’t diss her Britney Spears poster or plaid comforter. You both need a space where you feel comfortable to express yourself and your personal style.

Dorm decorating can be daunting, but it can also be a lot of fun, much like the first year of college. I can’t help you study for a chemistry or history mid-term, but I can offer some suggestions for making your dorm room a comfortable, stylish place.

The Basics of Bedding

One of the first things to pick out is a comforter. The bed often doubles as a coffee table, couch, or study area and is the largest piece of furniture in most dorm rooms, so it’s key to choose a comforter that reflects your style and won’t immediately show the dirt.

Dorm life. Does it make you feel alone in a crowd? Talk to us.

Finding a comforter you like will also help determine the color scheme for the rest of the room. Will it be romantic pastels? Classic school colors? Vibrant floral patterns? Basic black and white?

Reversible, solid colored comforters are a good choice, because they offer twice as many design options and can be dressed up with lots of fluffy throw pillows, but patterns like leopard prints, sunflowers, or stars are fun, too.

When buying bedding, keep in mind that most colleges have extra long beds, so regular twin sheets are too short. If this is the case, look for extra long twin sheets at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or Linens’ N’ Things.

Think Storage

Space is tight in most dorms, so maximizing storage is a must. Here’s how:

- Raise the bed with cement blocks or RackRisers to make space for extra clothes, books, laundry, luggage, or whatever else under the bed.

- Stack plastic crates in your closet, under your bed, or next to your desk. They are cheap and come in a variety of colours. An alternative to plastic crates is a wire storage system, which lets you assemble your own crates and dismantle or reorganize them later. Or buy some decorative hat boxes in varying sizes for extra storage.

- Buy closet organizers for shoes, skirts, accessories, or makeup to ensure that you will always be able to find those cute black sandals or that peach lip gloss when you need them.

-Invest in some cheap plastic hooks. Stick them to your closet door to hold a bathrobe or jacket, or find a metal towel holder for the back of your door.

The Wall Is Your Canvas

Once you have the basics, it’s time to go crazy decorating the walls. Well, not too crazy. Check your school’s rules before painting, punching holes, or even using tape on the walls. Luckily, you can buy special poster adhesive at decorating stores to customize your room and avoid paying a fee for chipped paint.

Posters are the most common way to decorate, and some colleges have a poster sale at the beginning of the year where you can snag some highly unusual and inexpensive finds. But posters are not the only way to go. Here are some other ideas to adorn your walls:

- Colored chalk will easily wash off most surfaces. Or use butcher paper and colored pencils. Unleash your inner artist and draw a new mural or work of art once a month or whenever you feel inspired.

- Frames are essential for holding photos of home or new friends at college. Buy them almost anywhere or create your own with a cardboard matte and glitter, buttons, feathers, beads, or any other decorative knickknacks. Or you could use funky memo holders to display favorite photos on your desk or bureau.

- French memo boards can hold a whole bunch of pictures, ticket stubs, or magazine cut-outs. Buy one at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Linens’ N or make one out of cardboard, fabric, and ribbon.

- A laundry line is a great alternative for you to string up pictures or ticket stubs on the wall or across the room us. Urban Outfitters has a laundry line with suction cups for easy use.

- Magnets are useful and decorative on any metal surface. Customize that Micro-fridge and display your praiseworthy papers with magnets of flowers, superheroes, butterflies, or Magnetic Poetry (also a fun distraction from studying).

- Dry erase boards on your door or in your room are handy for communicating with friends and roommates and making notes to yourself. Or get a dry erase calendar at an office supply store and keep track of your busy schedule.

- Sheer fabric draped across the window or over a bed creates a soft, romantic look. Or if you have an open closet, put up a colorful shower curtain to individualize your space or hide dirty laundry.

- Lights are fashionable and functional. A desk lamp for late-night studying is a necessity, but adding mini-lights strung across the room can create a more personal atmosphere. White lights will complement any décor, or choose colored lights in funky shapes like stars, cactuses, or hearts.

So you get the idea. There are oodles of ways to transform your plain Jane dorm room into a vibrant reflection of your style and personality. All it takes is a few dollars and a little creativity. If only Chemistry were that simple.