College Shopping 101 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

College Shopping 101

Tips for moving into college!

50
College Shopping 101
Dorm Life 101

As high school seniors are deciding where they're attending college in the fall, going dorm shopping, and planning the "Pinterest-worthy" dorm room, here are some of my tips and advice on how to be successful in college shopping.

1. Coupons

Coupons will seriously be one of your best friends while dorm shopping. Stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond send out coupons and there are apps like Shopular that give you coupons on your phone.

2. Online Shopping

When it comes to online shopping, use www.ebates.com! When joining Ebates, you start earning cashback on almost everything you buy. If you sign up, you’ll get a $10 Welcome Bonus after your first purchase*. So start earning up to 40 PERCENT cashback at over 1,800 stores, including Amazon, eBay, Macy’s, Sephora, Nordstrom, and more! You can also find thousands of coupons, free shipping offers, and promo codes to help you save even more money. Join today and get your $10 Welcome Bonus, and I will also get a bonus if you use me as a reference! Use my email JulesRules97@aol.com so I can get a bonus too!

3. Extension Cords

Extension cords are essential for dorm life! You can find these anywhere!

4. Desk Lamps

You'll definitely need one of these. Dorm room lighting is terrible so having a lamp on your desk really helps.

5. Mini Fridge and Microwave

You definitely need a fridge and a microwave. Most colleges require you have two 2.0 cubic feet refrigerators or one 4.0 cubic feet refrigerator and ONE microwave with a maximum of 750 watts. I highly suggest talking with your roommate on who's bringing what.

6. Bedding and Decor


When it comes to bedding, every bed is a twin bed. Bring a couple extra long twin sheets, pillows, a mattress pad (you really need this! It makes your bed so much more comfortable), and comforter. You can find these items at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target, Walmart, and anywhere that sells home furniture.

7. Steamers


Since most freshman dorm rooms are really small (my freshman dorm room is 179 sq. ft.), there is no room for an iron and ironing board. Invest in a steamer. It's small and you can place it on the top shelf of your closet. You can purchase one from Bed, Bath, and Beyond as well as other places.

8. Over-the-Counter Antibiotics


You will definitely need Advil, DayQuil, and other over-the-counter things for allergies, colds, etc.

9. Cleaning Supplies


Your room will get messy, so you'll need cleaning supplies like Windex, Dawn Dish Soap, wet wipes, and paper towels, to name a few. Having cleaning supplies will eliminate germs and help you from getting sick.

10. Snacks and Drinks


Stock up on water and snacks in your dorm room. You can grab a bottled water and a little snack before going to class or a movie night with your roommate.

11. A Keurig


Having a Keurig will be essential if you are a coffee or tea lover for those long nights of studying or a cold winter day.

12. Mini Fan

It's no lie that freshmen get the worst dorms on campus. Depending on how old your school's dorms are, I highly recommend bringing a mini fan with you if you're stuck in a dorm with no air conditioning.

13. Flip Flops

Flip flops are absolutely essential in college dorms! College showers are shared by everyone on your floor and the showers are gross!

14. Extra Personal Hygiene Things

Bring extra shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. to school with you so you'll never run out.

15. Extra School Supplies

Bring extra pens, paper, pencils, notebooks, etc. for the semester!

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

87016
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

11878
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

12243
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments