What To Pack For College: Dorm Essentials

It's college season! As exciting as this is for every freshman out there, there are many of you who have no idea what to expect, or what to actually pack. You've lived at home all your life, and now it's time to move out of your personal bedroom into a tiny dorm that you'll share with a stranger...yikes! No worries. Here, I have some tips that will help make the best out of this situation, based on my own experiences.

Contrary to popular belief (and what all the stores advertise in their "back-to-school" campaigns), you really don't need to purchase THAT many items. What you need to buy are the important things that you might've not even added to your list.

Most dorm rooms supply you with the basic furniture you'll need, including a bed, desk & chair, and drawers.

Bedding:

        The bed that comes in your dorm will be either a twin, or a twin xl. You can purchase bedding in twin xl to be safe, but you can always check with your school. Dorm beds are notorious for how uncomfortable they are, so a mattress pad is a must, and there are many you can pick from.

As for the actual bedding, try to find a bed-in-a-bag set that comes with everything. There's no need to bring multiple sheet sets and comforters, because you really won't have anywhere to put them. There are tons of designs and colors to pick from, so you can choose something that will match the rest of your decor. Better yet, get in contact with your roommate beforehand so you can coordinate!

All you really need is a sheet set, pillow, fleece blanket and a comforter, but if you want to go all out and get the accent pillows, there are some cute sets by Roxy that include them. While it's cute to have an accent or two, don't bring your entire stuffed animals collection from home and expect to put it on your bed - when it's time to sleep, you won't have anywhere to put them!

As far as the bedside caddy or the bed chairs, or any other items that ad campaigns persuade you to buy, they are not necessary, and you won't really miss them once you're there.

Desk Accessories:
        Sometimes, we get so enveloped in buying things to decorate our new, tiny homes, that we forget that we're actually there to study. The most important thing that will occupy your desk will be your laptop. If you don't have one, it is possible to bring an entire desktop set; however, this will be very inconvenient as you often have to take your laptop to class, the library, lounge, and sometimes even the laundry room while you wait for your clothes to dry! It is also EXTREMELY important that you have an external hard-drive where you can back up everything on your computer, as well as USB sticks for when you need to print out papers, take presentations to class, etc. Computers love to crash the night before your ten-page paper is due, and sometimes the internet is down. Professors expect you to take the necessary precautions.

Aside from the electronics, you also need to take some standard school supplies, such as a notebook, pens, pencils, a graphing calculator if you'll be taking math or econ classes, post-its, and folders to put all your handouts and syllabi. Some professors don't allow laptops in the lecture room because they feel like students are on Facebook instead of actually taking notes (hey, I don't blame you, those lectures can get pretty boring!). Highlighters and sticky tabs will be your best friends when you are cramming for that exam, and a small stapler is crucial for when you need to hand in those massive papers. I remember many of my professors refused to take papers unless they were stapled!

It is up to you whether you want to bring a printer or not. If you want the security of printing your paper in your own room, instead of risking the computer clusters being crowded, etc., then it might be a good idea. I personally didn't have one, and my desk was too small for one, so keep that in mind.

If your desk has a drawer, you can get a drawer organizer so you can keep all your supplies neat and easily accessible. I like the ones from The Container Store, because you can arrange them however you want. Also consider an alarm clock...sometimes you're so tired that you need something louder than your phone to do the trick. Also, if you're a germaphobe, bring a bottle of hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes like the Clorox ones for the desk surface. The last thing you want is to get sick.

Dorm rooms are also very hot. You might be lucky enough to live in a new building where there is AC included, but most of the time this is not the case. A small clip-on fan is probably a good idea, or even a bigger one if you get hot easily. Also, you need a desk lamp, for those nights when you have to stay up late to study, but don't want to disturb your roommate. Most come with a built-in organizer. Don't forget an extra eco-friendly lightbulb! :)

Lastly, you might want to get a small trash can and a power strip/surge protector. Most likely, your dorm room will not have enough power outlets for all your electrical devices, and extension cords probably aren't allowed.

Bath:

Unless you're in a suite, where you only share a bathroom with a few people, you will be using the floor's community bathrooms. I know this grosses a lot of people out, which is why flip-flops are crucial. No need to get fancy, just run to Old Navy and pick up some of their 2/$5 flip-flops that come in every color you can imagine. You will also need a shower caddy to tote around all your stuff. Bed Bath and Beyond has a cool one that has an insert that you can use when you're not taking a full shower, such as in the morning when all you need is toothpaste, face wash, etc. Of course, don't forget your usual toiletries, hair dryer, and two towels.

Dining:

Your dorm may or may not come with a mini-fridge, but if it doesn't, it is definitely worth getting one, as well as a microwave (check with your school first). These particular items you will share with your roommate, so check to see who will bring what. In college they don't trust kids with fire, so forget about a toaster, hot plate, or even candles...they will get confiscated! Make sure to also ask your parents to adjust some of your favorite recipes and make them microwave-friendly. As for the actual food, the most popular college diet includes the likes of Cup Noodles, Easy Mac, popcorn, canned soup, Spaghetti-Os, oatmeal, cereal and pretty much anything microwaveable. Make sure to get a microwaveable bowl, fork, spoon, cup, and a cheap can opener. Also take a bit of dish soap and some tupperware for left-overs. If you want to be eco-friendly, also consider purchasing a pitcher filter like the Brita or the Pur, so you don't spend so much on water bottles. Caprisun is also a college favorite!

Closet/Storage:

Keep in mind that your dorm closet will probably be narrower than a door, so don't attempt to take your entire wardrobe with you. Invest in those really thin felt hangers so you can make the most out of your space. Also it's a good idea to get one of those closet shelves like the ones from Target to put any extras. An under-bed storage bin, crates to keep snacks and text books, and a laundry bag/basket are also useful.

Other Items:

Some items you might not even think about are an umbrella, cold medicine, painkillers, and pictures of your friends and family. Good headphones are useful for when you want to listen to music/watch TV and you're roommate is studying. Wall hooks and mounting tape like the Command ones are good for hanging up a full size mirror, towels, coats, etc., and they are very easy to remove. Posters, wall decor, or even a pretty scarf, can really add some color to a bland dorm, but remember, you are there to study, so anything too loud and crazy might actually cause a distraction.

I really hope this article serves all the clueless freshmen, parents, and anyone out there who needs help packing for their college dorm. I think I covered all the basics, so I'm hoping this comes in useful. Thank you for reading.