Moving out and preparing for dorm life can get pretty stressful for the whole family. I remember all the shopping trips and wondering about what would be necessary versus a waste to buy. Last summer when I was getting ready to move, I searched across countless websites looking for a list to help. This is why I decided to compile a breakdown-list of what dorm essentials I found the most “essential” to have throughout the year.
1. A Laundry Basket WITH Wheels
One of the most annoying things about doing laundry in a dorm is having to lug a bag down to where the communal laundry is located, especially if there is no handle. With wheels and a handle, you can easily drag it with you and it becomes much less of a hassle.
2. A Good Quality Mattress Pad
This is a lifesaver when you think about how many people have slept on these beds before you. The mattresses given just aren’t very comfortable without one. A friend of mine visited and even said that my bed (with the mattress pad) was more comfortable than their bed at home.
3. Shower Essentials
This one is very subjective. If you have communal showers, then you 100 percent should invest in shower shoes and a shower caddie. My suitemates use a shower bag to keep their products in while I just keep mine in the shower since it’s only four of us sharing a bathroom. I also know people who still use shower shoes in their bathroom that they only share with two other people. All of this will depend on your comfort in these bathrooms and the relationship you have with your suitemates.
4. Microwave/Food Storage
A microwave is practically essential even if you have a meal plan. You never know when you’ll crave late-night ramen and it’s just more convenient to be able to heat it in your dorm. If you don’t have a meal plan, you definitely should get storage bins to keep all of your food organized.
5. Mini Fan
I thought it would be useless to bring a fan and I was totally wrong. Dorms can get pretty cold in the winter but once the cold is gone, you might find yourself sweating in your sleep. My suitemate has a mini fan that has a USB plug next to her bed. These are cheap and well worth the $10 to $15 you might spend just because you can’t control the temperature of your room.
6. Extension Cords
You’re not always going to be conveniently located next to an outlet and it helps so much to have a power strip next to your bed or desk. I keep mine in a hanging bedside pouch (which is the only use I’ve found for the pouch because the bed isn’t heavy enough to hold it with a weight such as a laptop).
7. Small storage cube/stool
8. A Small Lamp
This helps when you don’t want to or can’t put on the big room late. My roommate is always awake way before I am and a desk lamp is just enough light for her to work but not enough to keep me awake. It also helps to have a light you can control from your bed that way you don’t have to get up to turn it off when you’re ready to sleep.
These are just a few items that my friends and I have found the most helpful during our first year at Florida State University. Necessities vary by the person, but this list is one that would be beneficial to most incoming freshmen.
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