Zen your den

On a campus with more than 42,000 students, your bedroom is often the best escape from other people.

Why not make it a place of refreshment?

During winter break, I transformed my messy bedroom into what I call a “Zen Room.” I used to throw all my belongings on the bedroom floor, but now my room is a place of relaxation.

Creating a special place to relax — as crazy as the idea sounds in our stay-busy world — can be an easy step to a successful semester.

Here are some tips to create your own Zen Room:

The floor
You walk on it. Crumbs fall on it. Lost pennies and old receipts call it home.

Not anymore.

Get everything off the floor. Hang your coat and designate a spot for your backpack. Clean up trash and vacuum as often as necessary.

You’ll be surprised just how much room you’ll have for activities.

Keep the shoes out — no need to keep dragging in dirt. Walk around barefoot, if that’s your thing. It helps your bedroom feel like anything but another office or classroom.

Less is more
Odds are your desk is cluttered with things you think are essential enough to keep at arm’s reach at all times.

How often do you really grasp for the orange highlighter that stopped working months ago?

Keep your desk, dresser and side tables as clear as possible. Make room for a beverage and your work materials.

Any more than one desk toy quickly becomes a plethora of knickknacks simply taking up space.

Decorations are great
Are you defined by a towering pile of laundry? I didn’t think so.

Hang up posters of your favorite things but show off your neat side. Make sure everything is even and no tape can be seen. Let colorful pictures offset your plain white drywall.

Music players and scented candles can keep your room an ideal, pleasant escape, but blow out the candles before leaving. You don’t want your Zen Room to become a Zen Pile of Ashes.

Easy on the electronics
Most students I know suffer from electronic insomnia. They can sleep just fine, but they’re too occupied with scrolling around on Tumblr until 2:30 a.m. to doze off.

Eliminate the problem and keep a no-laptop-in-bed policy. Make a pledge to charge your phone outside the bedroom. You have enough technology in your life.

Play the part
A well-cleaned room means nothing if you continue living with messy habits. If you use something, put it back in its rightful place.

Develop a habit of doing chores and picking up as soon as possible, never “maybe later.”

Once the semester has thrown everyone into panic mode, turning the Indiana Memorial Union, Starbucks and Herman B Wells Library into packed houses, you’ll utilize your room as a special resource to which you can gladly escape.

Ahhhhhh.