Ever since graduation, I have heard advice from family and friends about things I must have for my dorm room. To be honest, my head is spinning. If I took the advice from everyone I spoke to, all of my stuff would be spilling over into the hallway. After talking to a few trusted friends who just finished their freshman year, I figured out what I need to make my new home in the ‘Burg as comfortable as possible. Of course there are the obvious things to bring like toiletries, a laptop, etc., but here are a few things that will bring a little of you to your dorm, making it a place of comfort and relaxation.
1. The most important items – Clothes. I have been, and still am, struggling over what clothes to bring with me to college. Rule #1: Don’t bring your whole closet. Bring all your basics (jeans, skirts, tanks, t-shirts, sweaters, solid color dresses, etc.). You will be able to mix and match and make more outfits. Also, bringing accessories will add uniqueness to your classic outfits.
2. A comfy blanket. I value every minute of sleep I can get. I know a lot of girls went out to Target and found the cutest, most fabulous bedspread, but cute does not always equal comfort. Make sure your blanket is cozy and makes you feel like you are at home. I know for a fact that when I’m tired, I want to be able to come back to my room and sleep soundly, and not be annoyed by an itchy blanket.
3. Posters and pictures. I’m pretty sure that posters are the first things I ordered for my room. The #1 priority for your dorm room is comfort, right? So whenever you look at your walls you should see the people, places, and quotes that inspire you and make you feel better.
4. Shower shoes. These are DEFINITELY an important item that is needed for school. After spending many years at camps, I always felt bad for those who didn’t have shower shoes. Now that we have communal bathrooms, it’s imperative that we keep ourselves protected from germs in every possible way, even on our feet. And ladies, when we are already self-conscious about our feet, let’s not add fungus to the mix.
5. Febreze and Plug-ins. I am a stickler about how my room smells. Bringing that bottle of Febreze will make a huge impact on how you feel about your room. If you’re not a fan of Febreze, then buy a plug-in. They last for about a month, work automatically, and leave a noticeably fresh scent that you will love.
6. Your favorite movie. College is no doubt going to add to my already high stress levels. When I’m super stressed out, I like to put in my favorite movie that can take me away for a few hours. For me, it’s the 1962 classic, “Gypsy.” Bring your favorite movie, or CD, that will give you a chance to relax and get away from your new hectic life.
Remember, your dorm room should be a haven for you to relax in. Keeping things simple will create less stress for you, and you can still stay true to who you are.