With spring cleaning, it’s out with the old and in with the new.
While many think of “spring cleaning” as a deep clean, it doesn’t have to be. Tidying up your desk space or just putting away some winter clothes for the season might do just the trick to help your life become less cluttered—both physically and mentally.
When living in a dorm, it can sometimes be difficult to do some spring cleaning as often since you are sharing your space. A great way to get around this is to create a schedule based on you and your roommate’s class schedules. This way, it’s easy to ensure that your space stays clutter-free while still focusing on your studies and other obligations. It shouldn’t be one person’s responsibility to clean up after one another. That’s why it’s important to work on dividing up chores and sticking to a schedule.
Residential Life Area Coordinator Kelly Donnelly recommends to “Schedule your cleaning time in your calendar. Tackle one area at a time to make it more manageable.” And, if you are planning on doing any deep cleaning, Area Coordinator Kayla Beadles said, “Donate! The WLB Lutheran Reformation Church accepts clothing and non-perishable food donations for their food pantry and community closet.” This is a great way to find a new home for things that you don’t find yourself using.
Julian Rebelo, a chemistry student, admits he has the habit of sometimes collecting things he doesn’t need yet revealed it’s always best to let go. Rebelo added, “For this year’s spring cleaning process, I am going to process the clothes and other things I do and don’t use, and donate them to those in need.”
If you are a resident student and are having trouble finding any resources to clean or just ran out of disinfectant, Residential Life Area Coordinator Tony Conard said, “Shadows Lounge attached to Elmwood Hall is stocked with basic cleaning essentials for students to check out and use!”
The most important thing to remember when living with roommates is respect. If someone didn’t get around to taking out the trash, consider that they may have had a lot on their plate recently. With spring break having passed, we’re hitting the end of the semester and assignments might be piling up. Therefore, remember to respect one another while living on campus. This is also even more reason to strive for a clean space as it might also help to keep your mind less cluttered.
For commuters, spring cleaning might look a bit different. Some live in off-campus housing with roommates, others might live at home, and some might live on their own. However, there is one thing all commuters have in common: the vehicle you drive to campus each day. How many days do you grab a quick cereal bar and run out the door, just to leave the wrapper in your cupholder?
It might be a good time to go through your car and give it a nice refresh for the spring. This might only take an hour of your time, but adopting good habits is also a great way to keep your car clean over the course of the semester. If you took a cereal bar that morning, why not grab it before running off to class when you get on campus? That way you can throw out any trash you bring in your car right away. Simple habits like this are what keep your car fresh in the long run so that you are not running out of space when you might need it to transport that big project onto campus.
Residents and commuters alike can make daily habits a priority. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a deep dive each year if you have the right habits to start with. For instance, try making your bed before you leave for class in the morning. This way, your room appears clean, and you have a nice comfy bed to jump into after a long day of classes. If you know that you are going to have a ton of work to do when you get home, take ten minutes in the morning to clean off your desk so that you can be more productive.
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a daunting chore either. It can be a break from it all or even work as therapy to get you moving through your day. A great way to make habits more likely to stick is to habit stack. If you already turn on a playlist to get ready in the morning, why not make your bed immediately after. It might be more fun to make your bed to music and if you already have the habit of pressing play on your favorite songs, then the habit of tidying up your bed is more likely to stick.
Is your bathroom counter never clean? Try putting one thing away after brushing your teeth. Over time, this habit will stick because it’s connected to an activity that is done daily.
If you don’t have time for a deep clean, instill habits that keep your space clean over time. This is the best way to not make cleaning such an intimidating task. It’s also great for students who have a lot on their plate and want to get ahead without having to take the time to make their space spotless. Overall, while it’s nice to have a clean space and be clutter-free, it’s not something that should make your week more stressful. Try to find ways to make it fun and work for you.
