Create collages of your favorite memories from back home to frame and put on the wall. For a versatile art piece, make a big bulletin board on which you can change out the pictures when the mood strikes you. For example, post your collection of summer vacation pictures when you first start collage, then take them down and put up old Christmas photos when the holiday season rolls around. Before leaving for school, have all of your loved ones write a favorite quote or piece of advice on poster board in different colored markers to hang above your bed. Use decorated photo boxes for storage of small items.
Look into some of the famous people that graduated from your school. Hang up photographs for inspiration around your dorm room. This theme idea can be tailored to fit your tastes and goals, by instead hanging up the heroes in your field. For example, if you are in film school, hang up pictures of your favorite movie directors. If you are in college on a sports scholarship, get snapshots of your idols in action. Create "awards" for yourself based on real life trophies and achievements that can be won after you get out in the real world.
Decorate your space around your major or your favorite class subject. For example, if mathematics is your thing, start by using fabric paint to decorate table cloths and curtains with equations. Continue the look by embroidering the same on your pillow cases and bedding. Look up humorous and encouraging quotes about the topic, like "Mathematicians Have Your Number" or "Without Math There Wouldn't Be 12 Ounces of Anything." Use a funky font on your computer or calligraphy to write the quotes on decorative paper before framing them. These dorm room theme ideas can also be tailored to showcase interest in a particular extracurricular activity.