As a sophomore in college, I have done my fair share of dorm living. Over time, I have found the following 10 dorm items to enhance my college lifestyle. I have a lot of favorite dorm items, but I narrowed it down to my ten dorm must-haves:
1. Nail tool set in a cute package.
After a year and a half of searching all over for my nail file or tweezers, my mom gave me a cute little nail kit as a gift. This little tool set is wonderful; you will never have to look for your misplaced tools ever again!
2. Lots and lots of wipes.
When your roommate is sick or you got ketchup all over your desk (guilty!), wipes will come in handy. Baby Wipes or Lysol Wipes also work for dusting, cleaning off your dry erase board, and the inevitable popcorn butter that gathers in your microwave.
3. Mat or large heavy blanket for outside.
When it's really nice and warm in the beginning of the fall semester and end of the spring semester, you will totally want to read or be outside. Do not forget something to sit on. I even have a lawn chair just in case under my bed. But in any event, don't forget about your blanket. If your college has a quad like mine, you will love basking in the sun before or after the harsh winter gets to you.
4. Three prong extension Cords or an adapter.
I made this mistake as a freshman. I brought all these two-prong extension cords just to figure out that my refrigerator and computer charger all had three-prongs. It's important to pack at least one or an adapter for your 2 prong extension cords. Trust me, you will need it.
5. Scented gel beads.
This year I live in a poorly ventilated and small room. If something stinks, it will stick around. However, I bought this little scented gel beads from Target and they made all the difference. They leave the air fresh without smelling too much (which is great because I can't handle strong perfumes). They also last a two to three months and only cost about $5.
6. Colored paper, note pads, and pens.
With the amount of studying and to-do lists you make, you will want some pretty stationary. I also make study guides on colored card stock; it really makes a difference and helps you spice up your boring everyday tasks. Colored pens are really awesome too. I will sometimes write the PowerPoint notes in black, but put extra explanation and comments in pink. It's super organized and more interesting than plain black and white.
7. A comfy mattress pad.
If you are Princess and the Pea at college like I am, I suggest you make an investment. My freshman year I bought a cheap $20 foam mattress pad at Walmart, and all it did was slide around and add a little comfort. But, this year, I saved up and bought myself a Tempur-Pedic two-inch mattress pad from Bed Bath and Beyond. Even if you don't want to spend up like I did, you can buy a mattress pad that fits your budget. They really make a difference in your sleep and help ease the occasional homesickness. You won't find yourself missing your comfy bed at home if you gear up!
8. A little jewelry box.
Having tons of jewelry at college is a struggle. I was storing mine in a little box last year and everything kept getting tangled or lost; I had nowhere to put my earrings. Finally I bought the cutest little portable Jewelry box from Home Goods. It's awesome, it is the perfect size for dorm living and keeps me organized. I highly recommend one!
9. A towel wrap.
Why struggle with a robe when you can have an easy towel wrap? Towel wraps are wonderful because you hang them with your towel on the rack (unlike your robe) and they have velcro around the top to keep it from falling down. Towel wraps are quick, easy, and stable. Just make sure to keep it velcroed when you wash it or else it can stick to your clothes.
10. An ottoman.
Ottomans are wonderful and multi-functional. Mine is a little bigger than most college ottomans but having one is really helpful. I store my hair tools, extra towels and toiletries in my ottoman. It also helps me get onto my lofted bed, and can provide seating. Even if you just buy a small one, the extra storage really helps!
It takes a little time to adjust to dorm living and find what works best for you. I hope these 10 items will help provide some insight into dorm packing!
