For the incoming college freshman, the glorified closet that functions as a living space for a year is nothing if not full of possibility, and plenty of room to be free, independent and (ir)responsible. It's where you'll spend an inordinate amount of time watching Netflix and sleeping (accidentally, right?) through history lectures.
It's where you and your roommate will blast The Backstreet Boys while you get ready to go out to parties -- or while you clean, because you haven't in weeks. The functionality of your dorm room, at the risk of being too dramatic, can make or break your college experience. For the typical incoming freshman, here are the top five things to put on the short list for your Bed Bath and Beyond trip this summer.
1. Mattress Pad
Make this a good one. It's worth the extra money. Unfortunately, while your university may have showered you with financial aid, or, more accurately, shower their basketball coach with millions of dollars, that money does not translate into quality mattresses. You'll be taking more naps this year than you ever thought you could, so do yourself a favor and invest in a quality mattress pad. On the same note, one pillow is not enough.
2. Power Strips
They probably told you these weren't allowed. Trust me, you'll be fine -- and they are necessary. With likely one outlet to work with, you can't possibly plug in your curling iron, laptop charger, alarm clock, lamp, and whatever else requires electricity.
3. Febreze
You may think you smell like roses all the time, but the fact is, your dorm room definitely won't. It only takes one old banana, one yogurt left in the trash, or a sickeningly sweet perfume someone had to make you wish you could move your bed into the hall. And, in general, college dorms smell like college, which, for future reference, is the subtle but unrelenting scent of body odor, leftover pizza, and cheap beer.
4. A Fan
Unless you're going to school in Alaska, it is going to be hot sometimes, and I bet your building's AC isn't going to cut it. Buy a good fan, point it at your bed, and salvage your sleep and your sanity (you'll be needing more of those things from now on).
5. The Fridge / The Keurig
These are actually two things, technically, but they belong in the same category. If you're going to embrace the Freshman 15 (you will have to at some point), you'll need somewhere to store the Easy-Mac, ice cream pints, and leftover Chipotle burritos. The truth is, you may not make it without a fridge. The Keurig is another lifesaver - that is, if your mom is willing to ship you K-Cups.
Whatever you manage to fit in your dorm, freshman year is something you'll never forget, although some of it you may want to. It's the beginning of adulthood, but you'll soon realize it is nothing at all like adulthood. You'll more likely find yourself eating Mac and Cheese watching Phineas and Ferb one afternoon, wondering whether or not you are actually in kindergarten.
