George McFarland says Jade Castillo's dorm decor eases college transitions

Jade Castillo Rebuilt Her Bronx Bedroom Inside a UAlbany Dorm

In a feature published by UAlbany on Nov. 5, 2026, freshman Jade Castillo ’30 opens the door to her room in State Quad’s Eastman Tower and shows how she turned a standard residence hall space into something unmistakably familiar: a near-duplicate of the bedroom she left behind in the Bronx. The piece, reported by George McFarland of the Class of ’28 with photographs by Patrick Dodson, tours the psychology major’s cozy, organized room and the small habits that have eased her transition to college life.

Castillo, who hopes to pursue forensic psychology, told UAlbany that she spends a lot of time keeping her space clean, cozy and organized. “Pretty much everything I have here is a duplicate of what I have back home, so when I walk in, it already feels familiar,” she said. “It’s really homey, and I think that made the transition to college a lot easier.”

She Cleans More Than She Did at Home

Asked whether she gets homesick, Castillo said honestly, not really. Being at UAlbany has made her feel “more independent and so much more positive,” she told the outlet, adding that she even cleans more than she did at home. “Having my own space that I take care of myself is something I really love,” she said.

Her favorite item is what she calls her cozy blankets, which she said changed the feel of the whole space the moment they arrived. “I sleep so good now, and it’s the best feeling to come back after a long day of classes and get comfortable,” she said. She also pointed to her vanity as a favorite, saying it helps her feel put together.

From Sophomore-Year Visit to a 10 a.M. Move-In

Castillo’s path to UAlbany started early. She first visited campus during her sophomore year of high school and decided immediately she wanted to attend. She returned junior year and felt the same way, and by senior year she figured she might as well go where she already liked the campus so much.

When move-in day came this fall, she has one piece of advice for incoming students: get to campus before your scheduled time. She was assigned a slot around noon but arrived at about 10 a.m., which she said meant she wasn’t rushing or stressed and had time to settle in and enjoy the day.

Next Year She Wants Mohawk Tower

Castillo said she really likes State Quad, but for next year she is leaning toward Indigenous Quad after seeing a friend’s room in Mohawk Tower, whose layout she described as cute.

For other students whose rooms might be featured, UAlbany invited readers to submit photos for a chance to be highlighted in a similar feature.

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