Take a Look Inside One of UAlbany’s Best Decorated Residence Hall Rooms
By George McFarland, Class of '28
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 5, 2026) — When Jade Castillo ‘30 moved into State Quad's Eastman Tower this fall, she brought a little piece of the Bronx with her (actually, a lot of it).
A psychology major who hopes to go into forensic psychology one day, Castillo spends a lot of time making sure her new space stays clean, cozy and organized.
We stopped by the freshman's room to see how she made her new space feel like home.
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Describe the theme of your room.
My room is inspired by my room back home. Pretty much everything I have here is a duplicate of what I have back home, so when I walk in, it already feels familiar. It’s really homey, and I think that made the transition to college a lot easier.
Do you get homesick?
Honestly, not really. Being here has made me feel more independent and so much more positive. I even clean so much more than I did at home! Having my own space that I take care of myself is something I really love.
What’s your favorite thing in your room?
I’d have to say my blankets. As soon as I got my new blankets, the whole room just felt so much cozier. I sleep so good now, and it’s the best feeling to come back after a long day of classes and get comfortable.
I also like my vanity because it helps me feel so put together.
Had you seen UAlbany before moving in?
I did! I first visited campus my sophomore year of high school, and as soon as I saw it I was like, “I really want to go here.” I came back again junior year, and I still felt the same way. By senior year, I figured I might as well just go here because I really liked the campus that much.
Do you know where you want to live next year?
I really like State Quad, but I think I’d want to try Indigenous Quad next year. I saw my friend’s room in Mohawk Tower at Indigenous and the layout is so cute, so that’s where I’m leaning.
What’s one piece of advice you have for students when it comes to moving in?
Get here before your move-in time! I was scheduled for around noon and I got to campus at about 10 a.m., so I wasn’t rushing or stressed at all. It gave me time to settle in and actually enjoy the day.
