This summer, as college-bound students prepare to leave their homes and move into tiny, shared dorm spaces on campuses around the country, there are several cautions to keep in mind about what clothing they should, or shouldn't, pack. Clothing is at the top of Mary’s list, but she recommends bringing far less than most college-bound students intend to take. 80 or 90% less, to be exact! Feng Shui states that people are connected to the built environment around themselves, including the possessions in it. Most affected by the objects closest to them, students surrounded by too much clothing can be slowed down in many ways. Bringing an appropriate amount of clothing that comfortably fits the storage space in a room can have a positive affect on student cognition, well-being, and even sociability.

Many students want to bring their entire wardrobes to their new campus abodes. However, dorm rooms are typically outfitted with a small three-drawer bureau and narrow closet, providing space to store a fraction of an extensive teenage wardrobe. A student bringing as few as seven outfits allows the clothing to actually fit. In feng shui, closets are related to the hidden aspects of one’s life, including the thought process. A clear closet helps create clear thinking.

Bureaus symbolize the mind. An overstuffed bureau reflects an overstuffed mind. When students’ minds are so full that energy cannot move through their brains, they cannot easily access answers to problems. Such students must also endure the daily aggravation of physically struggling to open and close their overstuffed drawers.

If the Shoe Fits...

Feng Shui explains how misplaced shoes negatively affect student well-being and behavior. Many students who store shoes under their beds complain they feel tired. Sleeping over shoes can cause restless sleep, resulting from active walking, running, and dancing. The area under the bed is best kept clear—allowing for ample air circulation. If under-the-bed storage is needed, place sheets, blankets, shirts, pajamas, and pants there. Also keep in mind, shoes in disarray at the room’s entry can lead to arguing. With limited storage space for shoes, bringing the minimum number of pairs enables proper storage in a hanging shoe bag or floor rack in a wardrobe or closet. If stored at the room’s entry, place shoes on a low shelf or in a shoe rack. Removing shoes upon entering the room keeps outdoor dirt and grime from contaminating the floor or carpet.

College-bound students don’t need to accumulate clothing—they need to shed it. Myriah Hampton, Rollins College graduate and Managing Editor of Orlando Style Magazine, advises students to "bring the basics to college and set aside a small budget to make your wardrobe trendy...so spend a little bit of money on enhancing your closet when you get to school." Correct clothing volume and storage is an important puzzle piece in creating a living space that supports students during their pivotal years of college.