After admiring your acceptance letter, choosing your housing and mentally preparing yourself for new faces, places and a new campus, you are officially ready. Let the college years begin. Even though you’ve checked your lists twice (okay, three times) and feel so ready for the big move, it’s still easy to overlook a few things you’ll want to have with you at college. Here is HC’s list of forgettable (yet essential!) items that will make your dorm comfier, encourage you to stay organized, take your social life to the next level and more!
For Your Dorm Room
1. Bathroom shelving
Browse through the house wares section of bargain stores for multi-purpose bathroom shelves that can double as wall shelves, like these at the Container Store. They’re less bulky than regular wall shelves – so they’ll hang easier, too. “These are awesome for dorm rooms because they help you maximize your dorm space,” Harper Yi, a Her Campus correspondent at The College of William & Mary, says. “Vertical space is key when you are living in a small area.”
2. Double sided-tape and command strips
If your dorm, like most, is strict about hanging things on walls with nails (which most are), pack these. Double-sided tape is great for small items, like single pictures or thin posters. Command strips go on easily, hold tons of items (purses, large picture frames, towels and more) and won’t leave marks when you remove them. No damage, no dorm fines!
3. Rugs
Older dorms can be really difficult to clean, and dust may seem to appear overnight. When you don’t want to wear shoes in your room, but hate walking on the dirty tile floors, rugs are a great investment. If you don’t know the dimensions of your dorm, check online or contact a housing representative to see if he or she can look up that information up for you.
Before buying a rug, make sure to consider a few factors. How often will you clean the rug? Even though that mint one looks beautiful, a dark color might be better for hiding dirt. And how often will you wash the rug? Choose a fabric that’s easy to clean, like nylon or cotton. If you want to add a little flair to your dorm, a decorative rug is also an easy fix.
4. Vacuum
Many dorms may have vacuums available in the residential life offices, but having one in your room may give you more initiative to clean, says Kelsey Mulvey, a junior at Boston University. Check out Amazon for some cheap, portable and perfectly storable options.
Quick Fixes
1. Sewing Kit
Unfortunately, mom won’t be there when a button falls off your favorite shirt. A basic sewing kit with needles and thread should do the trick – just make sure you learn how to do it before you leave home. For a fun DIY project, try putting together this sewing kit with your favorite colors of thread.
2. Duct tape
TV cables, extension cords and other exposed wires can be dangerous. Tape them to the ground to avoid tripping over them when you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
3. Bag of rice
You’d be surprised how easy it is to drop your phone in a cup at a party, or in the toilet at the dorm. Ariella Brand, a Her Campus intern and Boston University collegiette, recommends having a bag of rice on hand in the event of a phone emergency. If your phone has water damage, submerge it in dry rice. The rice can help soak up any excess moisture.
4. Power strips, surge protectors or extension cords
Between charging your cell phone, your iPod, plugging in your flat iron and powering up your laptop, you will run out of electrical outlets. Make sure to pack a power strip (check with a housing representative from your dorm to find one that adheres to fire code) or extension cord to keep your gadgets charged and your wires untangled. A surge protector will also help keep your electronics safe and functioning.
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For Your Schoolwork
1. Organizers
College can be a lot of fun, but don’t forget the reason you’re there! You’re guaranteed to have tons of books and be assigned at least a few papers. File folders, desk organizers and plastic bins, which you can find at The Container Store, will be your best friends when it comes to staying organized. And don’t forget about the accessories that will keep you on top of your schedule all the time: a cute academic planner or phone calendar.
2. Headphones
Even in a tiny dorm room, it’s possible to lose things. Keep an extra pair around (they can even be fashionable!) so you won’t annoy your roommate when you can’t find your headphones and desperately need to catch up on online lectures.
Get Comfy
1. Eye mask
If your roommate is a night owl, an eye mask could be the key to catching some Zs – even when she won’t turn off the light. Etsy even has some really cute ones to glam up your beauty rest.
2. Earplugs
Snoring roommate? Light sleeper? Earplugs will answer your prayers.
3. Cushioned seat
Lauren Mazzoleni, a Her Campus correspondent for Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, kept a husband pillow in her dorm. “When friends of mine or friends of my roommate came over, they immediately went into my closet, set the pillow on the ground, and laid down to hang out,” she says. “One great thing about it is that it doesn’t take up as much space as a couch or chair might, but it’s comfortable.”
For Your Social Life
1. Anything neon
The electronic music trend is still going strong at colleges. Whether you have tickets to a concert or are just going to an 80s-themed party, brighten up your wardrobe and your social life with some neon. For clothing and accessories, stores like Forever 21 offer some flashy, colorful and super-cheap basics.
2. Costume box
Who knew you’d get to play dress-up again? Theme parties are huge in college, so you’ll get some use out of those old Halloween costumes. Make sure you bring a few party essentials, such as a bandana, a policeman hat, a hippie vest and more.
3. All your nail polish
Simmone Seymour, a Her Campus intern from Tufts University, recommends bringing your entire nail polish collection. Painting nails is a quick fix for a boring weeknight. And you may become the go-to girl when others in your dorm are looking to borrow some new shades of color. If ever you needed an excuse to buy essie’s new Mirror Metallics collection, look no further. Plus, it’s cheaper than going to the salon!
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Clothing
1. Formal wear
You never know when you’ll be invited to a fancy campus event, or need dressy clothes for your sorority formal. Pack a few cocktail dresses (there’s no need for long prom dresses) so that you’re always prepared. That way, you won’t have to have Mom and Dad ship something last minute.
2. Bathing suit
A bathing suit is definitely a necessity for those spontaneous weekend trips to the local creek, lake or gym pool. Always have an adorable swimsuit in your drawer so you’ll never be the friend who misses out.
Snacks and Food
1. A Brita filter
This is an easy way to go green and save money. Brita filters are compact and cheap, and will make community kitchen tap water purified and clean. You can get yours for as little as $12.
2. Panini press
When you need a late-night study snack, a sandwich press or portable grill will put a smile on your face. It can make food faster, less expensive (a classic, quality press sells for around $20 or less) and probably even tastier than delivery. Plus, the small grill is easy to clean and store.
3. Can opener
Welcome to college life – and a college budget. Soups and other low-priced canned foods will save you money, but you’ll need to make sure you can actually open them. Look into buying a multi-purpose kitchen tool, like a 4-in-1 metal, tin, plastic and tab opener (bonus!).
Miscellaneous
1. Air mattress
If you want to be the hostess with the mostest, make sure to pack an air mattress. Your guests will love you when you offer them a comfy place to sleep, rather than the floor.
2. First Aid Kit
From paper cuts to more severe injuries, first aid kits can provide a quick and temporary fix. Junene Taylor, a senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, recommends keeping a fully stocked kit, complete with tweezers, bandages, alcohol pads and more. With supplies from your local drugstore, you can make your own. If you’re looking to buy one already pre-made, check out the American Red Cross Store.
3. Important documents
If you get a job in your college town or need to replace any official identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.), you should have either the original forms or copies of your social security card, your birth certificate and any other forms of documentation. Always keep them in a safe and secure place, of course!
3. Quarters
Laundry at the dorm will be so much more convenient if you have a roll or two on hand. You’ll be able to wash out any sudden stains quickly and easily without asking around to borrow quarters.
Now that you have the list of essentials, start shopping and pack those boxes! You’ll be totally ready for college life in no time at all.
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