Have you ever wondered what a person thought when they walked into your dorm room? Whether your living space looks straight from a Pinterest post or is decorated as a shrine to horror films, here’s what is says about you, according to researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.
Are You Conscientious?
In non-science speak, this means, ‘are you organized?’ When walking into your dorm room, it’s the easiest to spot whether you’re neat and tidy or if you’re, you know, not. The more “space-efficient” your dorm, the more people may deduce that you are a goal-driven student. If your room is mussed but not messy, you’re tended to be seen as relaxed and more go-with-the-flow. Finally, if your room is a dumping ground for half-empty pizza boxes and a home for rodents of various kinds– you’re just disgusting, sorry. Essentially, the less cluttered your room is, the more conscientious you are.
Are You Extroverted?
What’s on your shelves– cacti, cookbooks, shot glasses, nothing at all? More decorations (especially the colorful, quirky kind) points to you being more extroverted. On the other hand, the neater and more minimalist your room, the more likely that you are introverted. Putting up lamps or christmas lights also work wonders to make your room more inviting and friendly if you’re just realizing how dark your industrially lit dorm room is.
Are You Open to Experience?
People who scientists classify as “Open to Experience” are people who are quirky, imaginative, and fun. At Cornell, they’re the people who spend their time at places like the Green Dragon or hitting the slopes of Greek Peak. If you keep a lot of books, magazines, and CDs in your room, or have a pictures plastered all over the walls, people may deduce that you’re an adventurer! Your room is your atmosphere, and the piles of clutter are mountains to conquer.
Are You Agreeable?
While it’s the hardest thing for scientists to determine from just a living space, there are certain things that point to you being able to get along with other people. They include having pictures of friends on your walls, plenty of color, piles of soft pillows, or not a lot of empty space. However it’s important not to confuse being “agreeable” with being “extroverted;” while the cues for both may be similar, it’s definitely possible to be a sweet-natured introvert.
Are You Emotionally Stable?
This is where color comes in. Even though fire code might rule against too many posters or nailed-in picture frames, the things you “don’t put up” still say a lot about you. If your wall decorations are blue, you’ll be seen as energetic and dependable; if they’re red, you’re considered passionate, assertive and romantic; and if they’re green or yellow, you’ll seem calm and balanced.
