College Essentials
Preparing for college dorm life.
There is no feeling that can compare to the dread of walking into your dorm room unprepared. Because of this, you should make sure that you are prepared for life in college by packing the most important essentials for your dorm room.
Do you live on campus? Ensure that you have the items that are necessary for your dorm room.
How early should you start packing for college?
Make sure you have all of the college dorm essentials stocked up weeks or even months before you head off to college. Create a list that includes everything that you’ll require to have a successful academic year on campus.
It is possible that it would be more cost-effective to purchase some of these items once you have arrived at your destination as opposed to packing or shipping them. It is also a good idea to pack for one season at a time and then switch out your clothes when you return home for the holidays or breaks. This will ensure that you enter campus feeling well-prepared.
What are the essentials for a college dorm?
So what are the college dorm essentials that you really have to bring? Here’s the list of the most important things you should have on your list.
One thing that you need to do in order for you to have the energy to study well, is to have a good night’s sleep. It may take a while before you get comfortable sleeping in your dorm, but these college essentials will help you:
1. Sheets
You won’t be able to bring a set of sheets from home because dorm beds typically come in a variety of sizes that aren’t standard. Instead, look for sheets that are twin XL size.
2. Comforter
You will need a comforter that is extra-long in length, just like the sheets, in order to fit a dorm mattress. In addition, considering that you will probably spend a significant amount of time lounging on your dorm bed, you will want something that is comfortable but long-lasting.
Be sure to select the appropriate pillow for your college dorm room when you are packing your belongings. A better night’s sleep, which in turn can mean better academic performance the following day, can be facilitated by the use of a quality pillow.
4. Blanket
The summer is typically the time when college students go shopping for essentials for their college dorm rooms. But you can’t ignore the coming of winter. Get yourself a throw blanket made of sherpa fleece to keep your dorm room warm and toasty this winter. Additionally, it is wonderful for late-night study sessions at the desk in your dormitory room.
5. Mattress Protector
Although mattresses are typically provided in dorm rooms, you should still consider bringing along a mattress protector to cover the one that is there. A mattress protector will give you peace of mind, and it could save you money on the cost of a new mattress in the event that you accidentally spill something on your bed, like coffee.
6. Mattress Pads
The primary purpose of mattress pads is to provide comfort. A mattress that is otherwise uninspiring can be elevated to the level of comfort found in a hotel room by adding a topper made of memory foam.
7. Earplugs
Late into the night, you can find people bustling around in many college dorms. If you are a light sleeper or if you live with a roommate who frequently stays up late or snores, investing in a set of earplugs like this that is not only affordable but also comfortable can help block out ambient noise. Additionally, you can use them for traveling and going to concerts.
8. Eye Mask
The curtains in your dorm room may not be able to block out all of the light, and it’s likely that your roommates won’t always go to bed at the same time as you. While you sleep or take a nap, you can keep the light out with a silk sleep mask by blocking out both the interior and exterior light.
Moreover, it is part of the college essentials to create an environment that makes you feel warm and at ease so here’s more that you’ll be needing.
9. Alarm Clock
It is best if we can get a good rest but we should also be responsible with our scheduled study time. It can be difficult to wake up in the morning for early classes. Any student would benefit from having a lightweight digital alarm clock in their dorm room.
10. Shower Caddy
Considering purchasing a shower caddy is a good idea because you will need an easy way to transport your shampoo, conditioner, and other shower accessories to the bathroom in your dorm.
11. Flip-Flops for the Shower
Never, ever walk around barefoot in a public shower! Instead, you should invest in slippers designed to be worn in the shower
12. Bath Towels
Never emerge from the shower in your dorm room without first grabbing a towel. Additionally, you can save time in between loads of laundry by purchasing a bath towel set.
13. Bathrobe
The shower in the dorm requires you to wear a bathrobe. Make a day of getting pampered in the dorms. You could also wear a robe and sip coffee while you relax in the morning.
14. Hangers
Even though many schools offer students closets and wardrobe space, the majority of schools do not provide students with hangers for their clothing. In order to make the most efficient use of the available space, you should hang as many garments as possible.
15. Laundry Basket
If you pick up a laundry basket, you won’t have to worry about your dirty clothes piling up all over your dorm room. Get one that has a handle and a lid so that it is easier for you to transport your dirty clothes to the communal washing machines in the dorm.
16. Under-Bed Storage Bags
The majority of dorm rooms have a small amount of storage space. If there is no clutter in the space under your bed, you should get some storage bags to use for storing additional articles of clothing and other things.
17. Storage
Space management is important in dorms. It is best if you provide additional space for storing items such as blankets, books, and games in addition to serving as a comfortable footrest or seat.
18. Hanging Closet Organizer
Using hanging closet organizers is a wonderful way to make the most of limited closet space. Because it is so simple to fold up the organizer when it is not in use, it is an excellent choice for college students who anticipate relocating to a different residence hall or apartment each academic year.
19. Shoe Organizer
The vast majority of students who attend colleges and universities bring more than one pair of footwear to class. What are your plans for storing your shoes when you move into the dorms? When space is at a premium, it is smart to bring along a shoe organizer that can hang on the back of a door and accommodate hanging shoes.
20. Desk Fan
The majority of dorm rooms do not have air conditioning. Even on the hottest days of the year, you can keep your cool with the assistance of a fan that has a variable height and speed setting.
21. Garbage Can
Does your room in the dorm come equipped with a waste basket? In the event that you do not already have one, make sure to add it to the list of necessities for your college dorm room. In order to throw away food and any other waste that may accumulate in your space, you will require a garbage can.
22. Mini Fridge
This is one of the money-saving college essentials that you will need to consider. You can save money on your meal plan by purchasing a mini refrigerator to store your cold brew concentrate and oat milk in. You could also hide some snacks and drinks in your room to share with your roommates.
23. Handheld Vacuum
Because of the potential for rapid filth accumulation in confined spaces, it is recommended that you bring along a handheld vacuum. Maintaining your room clean is not just part of college essentials but it is something that you naturally do.
24. Area Rug
There isn’t carpeting on the floor in many of the dorm rooms. Rugs can help to make the space feel cozier, will help to keep your feet warmer, and will add a touch of flair to your décor.
25. Coffee Maker
Coffee keeps all the energy coming especially during exam weeks. Thus, a coffee maker is indeed a college dorm essential. You won’t always have time to wait in line for coffee, despite the fact that most colleges offer coffee in their dining halls and on-campus coffee shops.
26. Set of Microwaveable Containers for Storing Food
Plastic food containers that can be used for storing leftovers, preparing meals, and maintaining an organized refrigerator can really be helpful.
27. Utensil Set
When you don’t feel like going to the dining hall for your meals or snacks, having some utensils in your dorm room can come in handy and save you time and money.
28. Tumbler
Using a tumbler is able to keep beverages hot and cold for hours. This will help you save and allow you to enjoy your beverage at your own phase.
29. Water Bottle
In college, you absolutely cannot live without a water bottle. Keep yourself hydrated by grabbing an insulated water bottle like a Thermoflask. Not only can it keep drinks ice cold for up to 24 hours, but it can also keep hot drinks piping hot for as long as you need them.
30. Poster Strips
You can add a more unique and personal touch to your dorm room by hanging a variety of items around the space. You can reduce the risk of damaging your walls by using strips, which allow you to hang posters, lights, and other small wall decorations.
31. Keychain with a Pepper Spray Device
One of the college essentials is to keep yourself safe all the time. When thinking about ways to protect yourself on campus, a pepper spray keychain might be a good option, especially if you plan on walking back to your dorm room late at night.
32. Toolkit
Why not bring your own tool set with you to the dorms in case you need to make any quick repairs? Even after you move out of the dorms and into your first apartment, a portable tool kit will continue to serve you in a variety of important capacities.
33. Wall Tapestry
Tapestry is a great way to give a generic dorm room or living space some character. When hanging the tapestry on the wall, you can either use the seamless nails that have been provided or your own double-sided strips.
34. Fold Up Chair
A fold-up chair is both fashionable and practical, making it a great choice for furnishing a college or university room.
35. Hanging LED Lights
Are you looking for ways to liven up the environment in your dorm room? Photo clip string lights can provide a decorative touch that is not only inexpensive but also stylish. Put a personal touch on your space with LED lights in a warm white color by displaying photos and other mementos on the clips that come with the lights.
36. Desk Lamp
It is important to have a desk lamp in your dorm room that is both functional and fashionable.
37. Desktop Organizer
When you spend late nights studying for tests and early mornings finishing up papers, it’s easy for your dorm desk to become a mess. Get yourself a desktop organizer to maintain some semblance of order in your work area.
38. Earbuds
You can do other activities like working out while listening to live music through a good set of earbuds.
39. Wireless Mouse
The vast majority of college students travel with their own personal laptops. In line with this, even if you aren’t using a desktop computer, you might find that a wireless mouse is more convenient.
40. Power Strip
You’ll be using lamps, laptops, phone chargers, and much more. If you don’t bring a power strip with you to your dorm room, you’re going to run out of outlets very quickly. Therefore, you should consider purchasing a power strip because it offers surge protection in addition to its extra available outlets.
41. Planner
You will spend a lot of time in your dorm room keeping track of due dates for things like midterms, essays, and presentations. So remember to bring a planner with you. You can gain structure and ensure that you are always on top of your classes with the help of the appropriate planner. Because our choice lacks specific dates, it is flexible enough for you to organize it in any way that works best for your schedule.
42. Backpack
In order to move around campus with your books, laptop, and water bottle, you are going to need something sturdy. Then why not complement your essentials for your dorm room with a fashionable backpack?
Well, it is exciting to get ready and go shopping spree for these college essentials, however, before anything else, it is important that you secure admission first. Preparing a common application which includes the personal information section, extracurricular descriptions, academic GPA/test score, award entries, essays, and more, will give you a higher chance of landing an admission and experiencing well-rounded college life.
At AdmissionSight, we have more than ten years of experience assisting students in navigating the difficult admissions process required to gain entry into the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. We have one of the highest track records in the industry, as 75% of our students are accepted to an Ivy League university, including Stanford, MIT, University of Chicago, and Caltech, on average. Please feel free to contact us today to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation.
