Getting ready for your first semester of college? Don’t know what you need to bring? Confused by the contrasting opinions on TikTok? We’ve got you covered! Here is a true list of what you do and don’t need for your dorm.
Do bring: Shower shoes. Flip flops or slides, anything to keep your feet clean in communal showers.
Don’t: Bedside caddy. Whatever you think you need to have close to your bedside, you don’t need. There’s probably a desk or shelf close by for you to place your things and even the most lofted bed is still easy to get out of to get anything you need.
Do: Noise-cancelling headphones. Walking to class, working out, studying, travel– these have many uses and can be bought at a reasonable price.
Don’t: Vacuum. If you have a larger dorm with carpet this could be a necessity. However, in my experience, you only really need a broom or a dustpan to clean up your floor.
Do: Long tech cords. Being able to sit at your desk or lay in your bed while charging your phone is super helpful. The longer the cord the better.
Don’t: Attachable water filters for the shower. If you have a communal bathroom this will not work. Also, you won’t know what filter works with your showerhead until you get there.
Do: Medicine. Don’t bring a lot, but having allergy medicine, cough drops, vitamin C packets and painkillers close by is helpful for when you don’t feel well.
Don’t: Lamps. Big lamps are a waste of space and unless you do most of your work on paper at your desk, a small desk lamp isn’t necessary either.
Do: Planner. Sure, there are online ways to track assignments, but there is something about writing down what you need to do and your deadlines that help you keep track of everything.
Don’t: Curtains. There’s no way to put them up and most rooms come with blinds already. If the sun is too bright through the blinds, I’d recommend a sleep mask.
Do: Warm jacket. Learn what the weather is like where you’re going. If it is known for being cold, a warm jacket is definitely recommended for the walk to class.
Don’t: Bedside shelf. Just like the caddy, you don’t need it.
Do: Mattress topper. Even if you think the beds aren’t that bad this will make it better. You can find these for cheap and it’s easy to make one work if it’s not the same size as your bed.
Don’t: Drying rack. If you have a washer, you have a dryer, and any clothes that need to air dry can just be hung up or draped over a chair.
Do: Hanging shoe rack. Hanging this up in your closet is a great way to save space compared to a shoe rack or just leaving your shoes lying around.
Don’t: Extra dresser. You will probably have enough storage and an extra dresser is just a huge waste of space. If you need extra storage, there are stackable bins or smaller units that won’t take up so much space.
Do: Shower caddy. An essential for college living. Choosing a hard plastic caddy or a soft one is up to you if you can hang it up or have to set it on the ground. Also, you only need one, don’t listen to the infamous TikTok that says you need three.
Don’t: Ice cube trays. Unless you have a big fridge, this is a waste of space.
Do: Laundry bag. Having a hard laundry bin is great for your room but a bag that you can carry to the laundry room is very helpful.
Don’t: Fairy lights. You may not be allowed to have these in your dorm and putting them up can be a hassle.
Do: Utensils. Get a pair of reusable utensils that you can use in the dining halls or in your room.
Don’t: More than one pillow. Dorm beds are small and multiple pillows will leave the bed really cramped.
Do: Over the door hooks. Being able to hang up your towels is super important for keeping them clean and hooks over your wardrobe door is really convenient.
