In college, the lessons startbefore your first class. They begin in your dorm room. "You want to keep it simple and you want to make it smart," says Thom Filicia, host of Style Network's Dress My Nest. "You're in college to educate yourself, and part of educating yourself is also learning how to live smartly." Filicia educates USA TODAY on a few finer points of dorm décor.

SHOW US YOUR DORM DIGS: Is your dorm the hot spot on campus? Should your minor be interior design? Are you on a first-name basis with the guys at IKEA? We want to hear from you. Send us photos of your decked-out dorm. Be it on campus or off, dormitory or sorority, we want to see it. E-mail your photos to lifecall@usatoday.com. We'll select the best, and readers will vote for their favorites.

Inviting, fun dorm rooms tend to be heavy on personal touches. "I remember walking into dorm rooms that were overly decorated, and they just seemed frivilous."

Photos: Make a statement with photos. Create a photo collage of you, your family and your life.

Maps: A great way to add personality is to hang a "map of where you have been and where you want to go." It says more about who you are and not just what you like.

Be a smart shopper: Invest in quality pieces, but do so wisely. Accent pieces that transport easily are perfect to move from a dorm to a group house to your first apartment.

Bedding: Steer clear of overhyped bedding sets. "You're boxed in to a set look, and comforters and bedspreads are difficult and expensive to clean." Instead, Filicia suggests investing in thin cotton throws — "you can wash them and they look great. " Consider approaching bedding like layered clothing: You can remove pieces for summer/spring and add for winter/fall.

Lamps: Buy quality lighting that transitions from reading to mood lighting. "This is where you want to spend a little bit more money, because a good lamp stays with you after college."

Plan practically: Semesters at school, summers at your parents — your life is in transition, and so is your home. Sofas, beanbag chairs and big-ticket items are burdensome to transport. A good rule of thumb: Ask yourself, "Can I easily toss it in the back seat of my car?"

Pillows: Forget the sofa. Go with oversize pillows. "They are great for creating seating, easy to travel, weigh nothing and are easy to throw in the back of the car," Filicia says. Still want to have a sofa? "Take four pillows and turn your bed into one."

Rugs: Mix and match several small rugs rather than committing to one pattern on a larger rug. "The idea is fundamentally understanding that several small rugs cover the same space as one large one."