Moving into a college dorm can seem daunting. "What will I need?" you may ask. Here are 9 things that were definite must-haves for me during my freshman year! I hope this can help you prepare for school this fall!
1. Mattress Topper
This may seem a little random, but seriously mattress toppers are a must-have for dorm-living. The twin mattresses provided in the dorms at most schools are not the most comfortable.
So, if you don't want to spend every night missing your bed from home, get a mattress pad to place on top of your school bed. It gives an extra layer of memory foam which makes the mattress way more comfortable!
2. Power Strip
[rebelmouse-image 19815625 is_animated_gif="false" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/origin.png%22%2C%20%22thumbnails%22%3A%20%7B%22origin%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/origin.png%22%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/210x168.png%22%2C%20%2235x35%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/35x35.png%22%2C%20%22980x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/980x.png%22%2C%20%22600x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/600x.png%22%2C%20%22728x380%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/728x380.png%22%2C%20%22210x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/210x.png%22%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/476x250.png%22%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/1060x555.png%22%2C%20%22300x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815625/300x.png%22%7D%2C%20%22manual_image_crops%22%3A%20%7B%22728x380%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20937%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2046%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20490%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22728x380%22%5D%7D%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20937%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2046%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20491%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221060x555%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20937%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2045%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20493%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22476x250%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20729%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20583%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20104%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22210x168%22%5D%7D%7D%7D" dam=1 link_url="http://"Power strip" by jonlesser is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 " original_size="937x583" expand=1]Power strips are so useful because there is a limited amount of outlets in a dorm room. By using a power strip, you get access to more outlets to plug in all of your electronics.
3. 10-Foot Charging Cord
I am the biggest fan of 10-foot iPhone chargers! They have been such a convenience during college, especially with having a tall bed. If you have a long charger you can use your phone in bed still when it needs charging.
I am never going back to the 1.5 or 3-foot cords again.
4. Bluetooth Headphones
Having a quality pair of headphones is a necessity for college! I don't have the money to spend on Airpods but I do have an affordable pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds from Amazon that work well.
I always listen to music while I am walking to class or when I'm working out at the gym. Music makes walking to class seem shorter and more fun!
5. Coffee Maker/Keurig
[rebelmouse-image 19815646 is_animated_gif="false" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/origin.png%22%2C%20%22thumbnails%22%3A%20%7B%22origin%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/origin.png%22%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/210x168.png%22%2C%20%2235x35%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/35x35.png%22%2C%20%22980x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/980x.png%22%2C%20%22600x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/600x.png%22%2C%20%22728x380%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/728x380.png%22%2C%20%22210x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/210x.png%22%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/476x250.png%22%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/1060x555.png%22%2C%20%22300x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815646/300x.png%22%7D%2C%20%22manual_image_crops%22%3A%20%7B%22728x380%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20937%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2046%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20490%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22728x380%22%5D%7D%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20937%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2046%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20491%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221060x555%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20937%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2045%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20493%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22476x250%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20729%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20583%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20104%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22210x168%22%5D%7D%7D%7D" dam=1 link_url="http://"Keurig" by Travis Estell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 " original_size="937x583" expand=1]I think that having a coffee maker is such a money saver for college students. If you drink coffee every day, going to Starbucks really adds up quickly.
Making your own coffee in your dorm each morning is faster than waiting in a long line and saves you so much money! A Keurig is the easiest method if you want a single cup of coffee for on the go.
6. Command Strips
[rebelmouse-image 19815683 is_animated_gif="false" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/origin.png%22%2C%20%22thumbnails%22%3A%20%7B%22origin%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/origin.png%22%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/210x168.png%22%2C%20%2235x35%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/35x35.png%22%2C%20%22980x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/980x.png%22%2C%20%22600x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/600x.png%22%2C%20%22728x380%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/728x380.png%22%2C%20%22210x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/210x.png%22%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/476x250.png%22%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/1060x555.png%22%2C%20%22300x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815683/300x.png%22%7D%2C%20%22manual_image_crops%22%3A%20%7B%22728x380%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%201167%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2041%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20610%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22728x380%22%5D%7D%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%201167%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2040%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20612%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221060x555%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%201167%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2039%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20613%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22476x250%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20865%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20692%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20151%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22210x168%22%5D%7D%7D%7D" dam=1 link_url="http://"Command Picture Hanging Strips 17204 from 3M" by Command Brand is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 " original_size="1167x692" expand=1]It seems like Command Strips hang literally anything. Most college dorms have rules about the way you can hang posters, pictures, etc. Command Strips are damage free for walls and are super easy to use.
I highly recommend using Command Strips or hooks to hang your decorations to avoid any possible damage fees.
7. Water Filter Pitcher
[rebelmouse-image 19815698 is_animated_gif="false" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/origin.png%22%2C%20%22thumbnails%22%3A%20%7B%22origin%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/origin.png%22%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/210x168.png%22%2C%20%2235x35%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/35x35.png%22%2C%20%22980x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/980x.png%22%2C%20%22600x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/600x.png%22%2C%20%22728x380%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/728x380.png%22%2C%20%22210x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/210x.png%22%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/476x250.png%22%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/1060x555.png%22%2C%20%22300x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815698/300x.png%22%7D%2C%20%22manual_image_crops%22%3A%20%7B%22728x380%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20987%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2030%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20516%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22728x380%22%5D%7D%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20987%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2030%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20517%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221060x555%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20987%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2029%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20519%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22476x250%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20722%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20577%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20132%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22210x168%22%5D%7D%7D%7D" dam=1 link_url="http://"Brita Filters" by Joe Shlabotnik is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 " original_size="987x577" expand=1]Sometimes the water in the dorms is a little funky. Think about using a water filter pitcher to keep the water you drink clean and cold!
8. First Aid Kit
[rebelmouse-image 19815708 is_animated_gif="false" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/origin.png%22%2C%20%22thumbnails%22%3A%20%7B%22origin%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/origin.png%22%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/210x168.png%22%2C%20%2235x35%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/35x35.png%22%2C%20%22980x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/980x.png%22%2C%20%22600x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/600x.png%22%2C%20%22728x380%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/728x380.png%22%2C%20%22210x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/210x.png%22%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/476x250.png%22%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/1060x555.png%22%2C%20%22300x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/19815708/300x.png%22%7D%2C%20%22manual_image_crops%22%3A%20%7B%22728x380%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20757%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2033%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20396%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22728x380%22%5D%7D%2C%20%221060x555%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20757%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2032%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20397%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221060x555%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22476x250%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20757%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2032%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20398%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22476x250%22%5D%7D%2C%20%22210x168%22%3A%20%7B%22width%22%3A%20578%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20462%2C%20%22left%22%3A%2089%2C%20%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22210x168%22%5D%7D%7D%7D" dam=1 link_url="http://"First Aid Campaign - maternity area" by Ale Alexander is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 " original_size="757x462" expand=1]It is smart to keep a small first aid kit handy in your dorm for basic medical problems. I kept allergy pills, pain relievers, cold medicine, and bandages in mine which saved me from running to CVS when small issues arose. Just having the basics will suffice.
9. Set Of Plastic Drawers
Storage can sometimes be minimal in dorm rooms so having extra storage containers to keep under your bed or in your closet is helpful. I had several plastic bins under my bed to store shoes, extra supplies, etc. and a set of plastic drawers to keep snacks and miscellaneous items in my room.
