Prevent Clutter
Take a good look around your room, and think about the stuff that serves little purpose or the items you haven't picked up in weeks. Although some people place sentimental value on things, there is very little need for a lot of the stuff we have. If you just like to look at it every once in a while, or it invokes a fond memory, snap a photo of the item and then toss or donate it. You will still be able to look at it and bring back those memories without all the wasted space.
Save Money
If you think about all the money you've spent on clothes and decorations, it may shock you how much you've wasted on things you don't necessarily need. College students are notorious for being broke, but you would be surprised how much money you can save for your future, or even just spring break, if you stop shopping and wasting money on things you don't need.
Get Organized
Your college roommate is not going to be pleased if you are naturally unorganized. Even if you are organized, it's difficult to keep small spaces tidy when you have too much stuff. When you practice minimalism, it's much easier to stay organized and to keep your things out of your roommate's space. When you move into your dorm or apartment, bring as little as possible and leave the rest in storage or at home. If you find you can't live without something, you can always go get it later.
Save Time
If you have fewer clothing items, you won't spend all morning trying on everything in your closet. You also don't have to find space for all those clothes, shoes, and purses. You will be able to find what you are looking for if you don't have a lot of papers, clothes, and other stuff everywhere. When you need your textbook for class or that notebook to study, you should know where it is without trying to find it under a bunch of junk.
Simplify Your Life
Life is just easier when you have a clean, organized space that isn't filled with things that aren't essential. You won't have to worry about fights with your roommate, spending money you don't have, or wasting time searching for things. Practicing minimalism now helps set you up for this lifestyle in the future, even when you have more space for all that stuff.
Go minimalist this semester. Start by putting all the things you don't use in storage and see how badly you miss them. You might surprise yourself with how much stuff you actually need versus how much you constantly have strewn around.
Image via Flickr by Wicker Paradise
