This article is in partnership with Target.
One of the best things about being on campus is the different vibe every individual brings. From The Social One who is constantly curating the fun, to The Creative One who makes everything beautiful, college life is most dynamic when every trait is celebrated — and that starts in your dorm room.
Whether you’re the social butterfly who identifies as the life of the party and personal group chat coordinator, or a visionary who is constantly leaning into the unconventional and experimental approach, Target has you covered to make your space the hotspot all semester long.
So if you’re the one who can work a room with your extroversion, and your roomie can express themselves through a bold personal vision, xoNecole and Target have everything you need for your new home away from home.
For The Social One:
Flower Round Decorative Throw Pillow Light Blue - Room Essentials™
Nothing screams decked-out dorm like a good throw pillow, and this one has quite the personality.
Printed Cheetah Ribbed Plush Throw neutral/pink - Room Essentials™
Nothing screams chic like a little print mixing! Take it to the next level and pair this with the flower decorative throw pillow to show your wild side.
Room Essentials™ Butterfly Chair Cream Faux Shearling
Dorm room decor is all about showcasing your personal style. And what better way to reflect that free-spirited aura than this unique item designed to glam up those otherwise basic dorm chairs?
Room Essentials™ Table Pink
Your room will be the gathering spot and the perfect place for a good game of Uno or Spades with a chic splash of color.
Room Essentials™ Succulent Multipack Plant Pink
Perfect for plant parents with busy college schedules, thank us later!
Brightroom™ 6-Cube Book Shelf White
Not only is this great for storing books, but it can also double as a TV stand. There’s even room to place a Gold Jewelry Organizer Tower, making this one of those things that are cute and functional!
For The Creative One:
Room Essentials™ Pedestal Table Chrome
Space might be limited in a dorm room, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on having a space to get away from your desk. This item can be used as space to get a break from homework, have a snack or write some late-night inspiration down in your Moleskine Notebook or Artist Sketchpad.
Room Essentials™ Storage Desk Lamp White
If your roomie is an early bird, this item will suit you both for the nights you have to pull an all-nighter to study for that big midterm exam.
Scalloped Lidded Box White - Room Essentials™
It’s all about optimizing space in your dorm room. Use this to store any of those miscellaneous items you don’t want on full display when you’re hosting guests.
Room Essentials™ 16 fl oz Drippy Glaze Mug Pink
Whether you’re a coffee lover, tea enthusiast, or somewhere in between, sip in style with this mug. Add the Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker in your favorite color to your dorm wishlist to save on all those trips to the coffee shop!
Room Essentials™ Set of 3 Bamboo Melamine Trays Pink
Add a pop of color to your decor, and get creative, using it as storage for beauty must-haves like the Bubble Skincare Routine Kit or the Pacifica Dream Moon Rollerball Perfume.
Room Essentials™ Scallop Tray Pink
This storage unit is perfect for smaller items like jewelry from Wild Fable or for securing small items like your keys. It’s a standout item that’s versatile and functional.
Room Essentials™ Metal Acrylic Folding Chair Orange
Have extra seating for your guests that can be stored discreetly with this twist on the folding chair.
Room Essentials™ Trinket Tray Alarm Clock Pink
Never sleep through a class again with this alarm clock that can also hold your trinkets like cute rings from the Wild Fable collection at Target.
Room Essentials™ 4'x5'6" Back To College Solid Shag Accent Rug Pink
Greet your guests before saying a word by placing this rug at the door as they enter or use it to divide the room between you and your roommate.
Room Essentials™ Metal Framed Sling Accent Chair Off White
Who says you can’t have a reading nook in your dorm? When you need some quiet time, cuddle up with a good book, or knock out the required readings for class in this cozy seat.
Featured image courtesy
RELATED
The Art of Birdwatching
I traded in my usual resort stay for the rainforest, signing up for a weeklong trek with the local eco-adventure company HADCO Experience. After a quick flight from Miami to Port of Spain and an hour and a half drive, I arrived at Asa Wright Nature Centre. The eco-lodge is nestled deep into the rainforest, far from the hum of traffic, and I immediately felt a sense of peacefulness that would follow me throughout my stay.
Guestroom at the Asa Wright Nature Centre.
Credit: HADCO Experiences/Jake Naughton
The Asa Wright Nature Center is famous for its birds (there are over 180 species of birds around the 1,500-acre property), and though I wouldn’t consider myself a bird-watching enthusiast, it was hard not to get sucked into the excitement of having an up-close encounter. One of my first finds was a toucan; the eco-lodge manager, Warren, pointed out a tiny speck on a branch and handed me a pair of binoculars. I was skeptical, but when I raised the binoculars, I was surprised to see a brightly painted bill come into focus. Birdwatchers, I get it now; there’s something a little bit magical about spotting birds in their natural habitat.
But one of the activities that most pushed me out of my comfort zone was bat hunting. Our tour leader suggested that we hike to the Tamana Caves, home to one of the largest bat colonies in the world. At sundown, millions of bats emerge from the caves to find food and will return at sunup the next day. I begrudgingly agreed to go along on the sundown hike to witness the bat exodus, which is how I found myself trudging up a steep, muddy hill in the near dark.
When we reached the caves, silence descended on our group while we waited for the nocturnal animals to appear. Within minutes, hundreds of thousands of bats emerged from the cave in a stream, their papery wings flapping in the warm air. Terrified, I stood completely still, praying none would make contact with me (they didn’t since their elocution helps them avoid anything in their way, like humans). Though it was scary, once I got past my initial fear, I realized what a privilege it was to witness nature in action.
The Caroni Swamp at dusk.
Credit: Mariette Williams
Embracing Swamp Life
One of our day trips from the Asa Wright Nature Centre included a boat ride through the Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary. The highlight of the boat ride was visiting the Bird Sanctuary, where we watched a flight of bright red Scarlet Ibis, the island’s native bird, gracefully land in the mangroves. To our left, a flock of flamingos stepped gracefully through the murky swamp water. It felt like time stopped: we were too far out to get any cell service, and there was no sound, no distractions, just the sound of rustling birds and the water lapping against the boat. It was a reminder that the most beautiful moments when we’re traveling are often the quietest, a feeling I knew I would carry with me long after I returned home.
Flock of flamingos at the Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary
Credit: Mariette Williams
Mt Plaisir Estate Hotel
Credit: HADCO Experiences/Jake Naughton
Releasing Turtles
After a few blissful days at the Asa Nature Wright Centre, we drove two hours to Mt. Plaisire Estate Hotel, located in Grande Riviere, a tiny, remote beach town. Grande Riviere is home to one of the most active Leatherback sea turtle nesting grounds in the world, which we had the opportunity to witness.
During nesting season, local turtle conservationists collect the hatchlings, protecting them from predators, and then releasing the baby turtles at sundown. During our stay, we were invited to participate in an unforgettable sunset ritual: releasing dozens of Leatherback turtle hatchlings right on Grande Riviere Beach. It was such a special moment watching the hatchlings make their way through the wet sand to the water, and a humbling reminder of how important it is to protect nature.
Grand Riviere Beach
Credit: Mariette Williams
Releasing leatherback turtle hatchlings on Grand Riviere Beach.
Credit: Mariette Williams
Embracing Adventure
Spending a week in swamps, caves, and on muddy hikes pushed me out of my comfort zone and surprised me with how much I enjoyed things like hiking and bird-watching. Although you won’t catch me chasing bats again, the trip was a reminder that I shouldn’t box myself in as a certain type of traveler just because it’s unfamiliar.
Mariette Williams hiking in Trinidad and embracing the adventure in travel.
Credit: Mariette Williams
Traveling has given me so many unforgettable experiences that I don’t take for granted, especially as a Black woman who has the freedom and means to travel internationally. While I'm still a girl who loves a good pool day, now I know I'm also one who isn't afraid to get a little mud on her boots.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Mariette Williams