How does keeping things tidy change people psychologically? You gain greater confidence in yourself. Also, you become more optimistic and calmer in the mind than before. There are several reasons for these changes: your self­image improves as you start living in tidy beautiful rooms, and you gain decision­making skills as you continue to choose between which things to throw or give away and which to keep. The way we let go of things in the Kon Mari Method plays an important role as well.

The Kon Mari Method has a step where we give thanks to the things before we throw them away. Not only would you say “thank you for sparking joy in me” to a favorite piece of clothing that you wore till it was threadbare, you would also say to a piece of clothing you never wore once “thank you for teaching me that this color doesn’t look good on me”. You will appreciate the roles of all the things that have come to you and experience appreciation for all of them. Through this experience, you will rediscover the truth that you have been supported by so many things and you will deepen your gratitude for things you leave behind.

To share a personal example, I have always had little confidence in myself. When I get nervous before a large speaking assignment, I think to myself that I’ll be fine because these clothes are protecting me and these shoes are supporting me, and that calms me down. Once you start feeling constant gratitude for your things and your home through tidying up, you will start feeling relief and calm as if you are always protected by something larger than you.

Get along with your roommate

While sharing a dorm with someone else is challenging, it can also be a great part of your learning experience.

◆Clarify your expectations from the beginning. Do you know in advance that the alarm clock bothers you every morning? 【小题1】Let your roommate know about your habits and preferences. Communicating what you need is one of the best ways to remove problems before they become problems.

◆Address problems when they' re little. 【小题2】 Are your clothes being borrowed faster than you can wash them? Addressing things that disturb you while they' re still little can help your roommate realize something is wrong. And it is much easier than addressing them after they've become big.

◆ 【小题3】 This may seem simple, but it’s probably one of the biggest reasons why roommates experience conflict. Don't you think he'll mind if you borrow his sneakers for a game? Don't borrow, use or take anything without getting permission first.

◆Be open to new things. Your roommate may be from someplace you've never heard of. They may have a religion or lifestyle that is completely different from your own. Be open to new ideas and experiences, especially as it relates to what your roommate brings into your life. 【小题4】

◆Stay open to change. You should expect to learn and grow and change during your time at school. And the same should happen to your roommate.【小题5】 Be comfortable addressing things that unexpectedly come up, setting new rules and being flexible to your changing environment.

When the morning sun looks in through your bedroom window, do you jump out of bed ? Or do you roll over and groan? Enough sleep can make the difference between a great day and a terrible one!

A good night's sleep doesn't just happen. You need to prepare for it. 【小题1】 First, go to bed at the same time every day, and get up at the same time. If you

Also, avoid big meals at night. 【小题2】 Your stomach works hard to digest those fatty foods, and that may keep you up.

Your body produces a chemical called melatonin （褪黑色素） that helps you sleep. Light affects the amount of melatonin your body makes 【小题3】 . So at night turn off your TV and computer. Also, don't read from a backlit device like an iPad. Some scientists think that the light from those devices stops your body from making melatonin. 【小题4】

Maybe you can't sleep or you wake up in the middle of the night. 【小题5】 Get up and do something relaxing elsewhere. Then go back to bed when you bed when you-feel sleepy. If you worry a lot, make a list of things you need to do the next day. Do that an hour before bed. That way you get your worrying out of the way before you go to bed.