If you are a student moving into a dorm room or a small apartment, or if someone in your family is making this big move, a few Feng Shui rearrangements can help make the transition smoother and assure school success. Students, especially freshman moving into a dorm room for the first time, usually find that their new surroundings are not quite as comfortable as their bedrooms back home. The same can be said for people starting out in their first small apartment or one-room studio. These five easy Feng Shui steps can help ease the transition into dorm or apartment life.

1. Clear Clutter. In Feng Shui, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward, so be careful where you pile and file things. In addition, excess stuff prevents the flow of positive chi – or energy – around you and makes your room feel cold rather than welcoming. If you have the opportunity to add your own furniture, look for pieces that double as storage space, such as an ottoman that opens so you can store your linens. For dorms where eating, sleeping, and studying are all done in one room, use screens to separate the areas whenever possible to help minimize distractions. For example, when you're studying you can position the screen so you can't see the TV, which could distract you from studying. Or, you could screen off the bed, since this could tempt you to take a nap instead of opening your books.

2. Add Plants. Place a living plant within 3 feet of your computer to help balance any electromagnetic frequencies, or EMFs, that it generates. Choose plants with rounded leaves since they represent wealth, but avoid cactus and other spiky plants that repel energy. If you can’t grow natural plants, choose silk as an acceptable alternative because it’s made from a natural fabric. Avoid displaying dried flowers around the room since in Feng Shui they represent dead energy.

3. Position your Bed Correctly. It’s best to avoid sleeping with your feet facing directly out the door, which is considered the most inauspicious position for getting a good night’s rest. If you can’t move your bed, place a piece of furniture, a screen, a shawl, or other soft fabric near the end of the bed for cushioning.

4. Clean Your Windows. Windows are considered the “eyes” of a building, so when they are dirty your vision is clouded. Clean the inside of your windows occasionally so you can clearly see your future. If you have blinds or shades, open them from time to time to let in the sunshine. And be sure to open your windows frequently to let in positive chi.

5. Decorate Your Space with the Five Elements. Use a balance of colors and shapes of the Feng Shui Five Elements to decorate your space. The Five Elements is the collective name used to describe the colors, shapes, and textures around you: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. Each Element is distinguished by a characteristic shape, colors, and set of attributes. When you include a mix of all of these Elements in your dorm or small apartment, your space feels more balanced and comfortable. For example, red is the Fire Element color that adds passion; yellow is an Earth Element color that helps ground you; white is a Metal Element color that gives you focus; blue is a Water Element color that will keep you relaxed; and green is the Wood Element color that helps your knowledge expand. Click here to read more about the Five Elements.


Start making Feng Shui changes today with the tip-a-day calendar in the new e-book from Feng Shui Master Practitioner Carol M. Olmstead. Click here to order your copy of "365 Feng Shui Secrets" from the e-book store at BellaOnline.com.


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