3 Dorm Room Essentials
So you’re heading off to college? Leaving home for college can be, at the same time, an exciting and a nerve-racking experience. Moving into a dorm room only adds to the excitement and frustrations of college life, but being prepared will make the transition a lot smoother. Eduify has prepared the following list of essentials that you should have if you’re heading for the dorms.
Space is limited in a dorm room, so you want to make sure you don’t have too much stuff—two TVs, for instance, is one too many. Try to get your dorm mates’ contact information ahead of time to avoid bringing unnecessary items. Talking to your roommates about the décor, furnishings, and appliances is a good way to introduce yourself to them before your first actual meeting.
Bed & Bath
Bed and Bath Linens: A bed in a dorm room is different from your bed at home: it may double as a couch, triple as a desk, and quadruple as a dining room table. Therefore, if you like a clean bed, but don’t want to do laundry every other day, you’re going to want some extra sheets. Also, don’t forget a nice blanket and pillows for your bed. Save the cold feet for your oral presentation: Bring bath mats! Other important linens for the bathroom include towels and wash cloths.
Shower Caddy: Depending on the dormitories at your university, you might not have a bathroom in your dorm room—that means communal bathrooms. Yuck! Yuck is right—especially when you’re talking about the floors, so include a pair of plastic flip flops in your caddy to wear in the showers. With a stocked shower caddy—essentially a plastic basket with all of your toiletries in it—you will save yourself a lot of time. Include soap or body wash, shampoo & conditioner, a shower cap, body lotion, and shaving implements.
Electronics
Personal Computer: In the digital age, it’s hard to get by without a personal computer. While there are computer labs on campus that make computers available to students, it’s always nice to have your own. If you can choose, get a laptop, for they take up less space and because you can take them with you to your classes. Also bring the accessories for your computer: lapdesk, laptop cooling pad, USB drive, speakers, etc.
MP3 Player w/ Noise-Blocking Headphones: There are sure to be times when you’re going to want to drown out the noise of yours and the surrounding dorm rooms. An MP3 player with noise-blocking headphones is perfect for this task. You may consider getting an alarm clock that hooks up to your MP3 player. This small, multi-functioning device will help you get to your early classes on time and keep your guests entertained.
Flat-screen Television: Don’t buy one, but if you’ve already got one, bring it. Mounting it on the wall saves a lot of space, which is always an important consideration when decorating and furnishing your dorm room. There are other benefits of a flat-screen TV, too. With a simple cord you can connect your computer to the TV set, which turns your television into a large computer monitor. Now you have a giant digital picture frame and a digital whiteboard that can be used for group projects.
Oh yeah, and don’t forget a power strip so you can plug all this stuff in!
Furniture/Appliances
Furnishing your dorm room requires some creativity to maximize the limited space you have to work with. We’ve already seen how a bed is more than just a bed in a dorm room, but here are some other tips:
Folding Chairs: Having folding chairs—as opposed to regular dining room chairs—will allow you to save valuable space around your room and accommodate your guests. Pull them out on movie night or when working on a group project.
File Cabinet/Locking Chest: In a room where there’s generally going to be a lot of foot traffic, it’s important that you keep your papers organized and your valuables safely locked up. A file cabinet will help you keep all of your papers organized and, when placed beside your bed, makes a great bedside table. A chest or foot locker will help you keep your valuables safely locked up and works well as a table at the end of your bed.
Small Kitchen Appliances: One of the great real-life lessons you’ll learn in college is how to eat on a limited income. While ramen noodles are sure to be a staple in your room, small kitchen appliances such as a mini fridge, a microwave, a George Foreman grill, and a coffee maker will help add some variety to your table (or bed). Check ahead of time for your school’s policy about these appliances.
Everything Else
Toolbox: Having a toolbox stocked with a hammer and nails, screwdrivers and screws, and wrenches will help you when you’re hanging pictures, fixing loose door knobs, or dismantling furniture to create space. While the Resident Advisor might have tools for students to borrow, it’s a good idea to bring your own to have them handy at all times. A multi-tool is also a good item to have lying around the dorm room.
First-Aid Kit: Because you never know when you’re going to need a band-aid!
Mementos: Even though you’re probably happy to be away from your home for the first time, small reminders of home such as pictures of your family and friends or your first teddy bear will help you make your dorm room feel like home. It’s amazing how much such items as these will help you get through a stressful period.
If you’re buying some or all of this stuff new, you may look into purchasing it online and having it sent directly to your dorm room—this will save you a lot of time and energy. Check with your college to see if this is possible and how to make the correct arrangements.
