From classes to socializing, college is a time of new experiences for allstudents. For most, college is the first chance for students to live away from home: without dishwashers, home cooked meals and most importantly a room of their own. Despite cramped quarters, N.C. State students have found imaginative waysto turn their dorms into a home away from home. For Caitlin McHale, a freshman in communications living in UniversityTowers, dorm room accesories were a top priority when planning for theschool year. University Towers, despite the noticable size difference from the averageN.C. State dorm, is still relatively unfurnished at the beginning of a newyear. McHale’s spacious dorm in UT is classic chic with its decorations. ”My roommate and I were aiming for Classic Hollywood,” McHale said. ”We chose the color scheme pink and black and white.” Color coordinating is a simple way to decorate a dorm room and allowsroomies to show off their own personality while still tying the themetogether for a complete look. McHale chose to personalize her side of the room with wall hangings bycovering the walls with plaster initials and Greek symbols. ”My wall hangings show who I am and the sorority I belong to. Since myroommate and I have matching bedspreads, we like to make it more personalwith small pieces.” Plaster letters are an easy Do-It-Yourself project to decorate a room.Letters and symbols are found at most craft stores and can be painted withmost acrylic paints. McHale’s roommate, Ellen Mincey, a freshman in communications, chooses to define her side of the room with pictures and posters. The pair found posters both online and at the campus-wide poster sale.Sticking to a black and white Hollywood theme, the actors and actresses onthe walls exude a classy atmosphere. For Mincey, however, photographs of her friends and family are her favoritefeature. ”The best dorm room accessory is definitely pictures,” Mincey said. “It’sa great way to brighten up your room.” To make the dorm more inviting, Elizabeth Simon, a freshman in elementary education, suggests adding touches that mimic an actual home. ”If you live in State dorms, bringing a carpet definitely adds a nicetouch,” Simon said. ”You can either get basic carpet or a shag carpet if you’re looking forsomething more stylish.” Simon adds that visiting chain stores such as Wal-Mart and Target is good for students on a budget. ”Stores like Linens n’ Things and Bed Bath & Beyond have cute items butretail stores have great choices for a lot cheaper.” McHale and Mincey decided the homey touch needed was a futon. ”I really wanted to have a futon so we could have people stay overnightand to make everyone feel more comfortable in our room,” McHale said.”It’s definitely the best accessory in here,” she says. Whether it’s a quiet place to study or a hang out location with friends, a personalized room is a necessity for college survival. Adding things like posters and pictures or slightly largerpieces like furniture, N.C. State students continue to turn drab dorm rooms into cozy living spaces.