Want to turn over a new leaf in 2010? It’s U Chic to the rescue with our helpful list of college-friendly resolutions.

Ask not what colleges can do for you; ask what colleges can do for your country. Washington Monthly has a new (i.e. real world) way to rank U.S. colleges/universities. Read more to find out how their system differs from that of U.S. News & World Report…

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Looking for some decorating inspiration for your dorm room? You can keep it cheap and chic if you follow these basic design guidelines.

1. Think Fun and Functional

Ever have that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you wake up and realize you’re late for class or missed a test? The ThinkGeek flying alarm clock ($24.99) propels a helicopter-like flying object into the air when it’s supposed to go off and will not stop beeping until it’s placed back into the clock. Though it may annoy your roommate, it will definitely wake you up for class on time and add to the funkiness of your overall décor.

2. Opt for Cool Wall Art

Since you will have tons of blank space to decorate on your walls, it’s important to not go crazy and spend lot of money. Less is more – especially if you’re creative, Urban Outfitters has a fun DIY screenprinting set so you can create your own art to your walls for $64. If you’re not very artsy, try to invest in two or three interesting posters or album covers for themselves. Allposters.com has a large variety of cheap photography and wall art to choose from.

3. Score Some Statement Furniture

Since your space is limited, try to pick out accents for furniture pieces that pop (bright-colored pillows, funky accent rugs, and dual-purpose furniture pieces are your best bet). This chair from Target for $99.99 will not only serve as a sturdy desk chair, but will help you study in style.

4. Don’t Forget the Tech Details

To make your room everyone’s favorite, you’ll need to be able to carry a tune (literally). These portable speakers from Bed Bath & Beyond allow you to do just that. From entertaining guests in your dorm room to tanning on the quad, these speakers for $9.99 protect your MP3 player and let you rock out at the same time.

5. Stick With Cheap Space Savers

Odds are, the amount of space you have to store clothes in is limited, so investing in something to store them in is a good idea. You can keep your dirty clothes in check with this set of four plastic bins from Wal-Mart for $39.88. You can even stack the drawers (stacking up makes a room look bigger and creates more space) or hide them underneath your bed. Each bin works like a drawer and saves space and time in a cinch. For an added touch, you can decorate the bins with paint pens or spray paint with plastic-friendly products.

“Is it just me or do you ever have days where you wish with every ounce of your being that there were just a few more hours in the day? The thing is … sometimes those aren’t just days; they are weeks … full on weeks or even months of crazy busyness where it seems like you will not make it to the end…”

Finding ways to relax and take a break are an important part of being balanced in life. A great way to do that is to grab some friends and head to a museum. There are tons of different types of museums so you can pick and choose which kind to go to. They are quiet,