Dorm Room 101. How to move in, hang a photo, and more.

Are you moving your teenager into their first dorm room? Think Multifunction, Compact + Mobile. Most colleges will give you a room layout, and typically a desk, chair, and bed are included. You will often need to bring your task lighting, which will also mean power strips. Outlets will be at a minimum, and a student’s workspace should have adequate lighting and a place to charge a laptop and other electronic essentials. A small fire extinguisher is optional, and a charged flashlight with batteries should always be on hand for evening walks across campus.

Storage bins that stack make a great side table. And raising the bed so that compartments can slide underneath adds mega-storage. Cut a 2-foot post into four equal parts six inches high with a miter or hand saw, and sandpaper the edges so they sit flat. Once you have your risers cut, you’ll need to drill a one-inch hole 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch into the top of each riser so the legs of the bed frame will sit snugly. Feel free to paint and decorate your risers to add a personalized touch.

Now the fun part: adding personality to space. Besides the essentials, such as bedding, a small area rug will add warmth underfoot. Most dorms will not allow nails in the walls, so hang LED lights and posters with Sticky wall mounts and removable adhesive hooks. You’ll need a level and painter’s tape. Make sure you clean the wall first. Want to create a gallery space? Trace frames on paper bags or wrapping paper and cut them out. Place and tape your templates until you land on an arrangement you love. Make tiny dots on the wall with a pencil at each corner of the template once you make sure the templates are level. These little dots will serve as your guides as you stick the frame to the wall. Now go ahead and remove your templates from the wall. Follow the instructions on the adhesive wall mounts. If you get impatient and don’t let the strips set, they won’t hold. (take it from experience).

And here’s an idea: an air purifier can come in handy for these small spaces. Don’t forget a trash can.

Don’t overdo it. Other students can give you a rundown on “don’t bother” items, as well as must-haves.

And mothers and fathers out there, when it’s time to say goodbye, remember to keep tissues handy and that they are on to their next adventure.