It's a week before you leave for college, and you're scrambling to buy things from your list of supplies. Some of those items on that list are things that you most likely won't use (i.e. iron, ironing board, book covers). You pack up the car and move into your dorm room. A week later or even a month later, you realize that there are a few small but useful items that you should have bought and now need.
Here is my list of top 14 useful items that you will likely forget to bring.
1. Power strip
Each power outlet in a room has two sockets. It is unlikely that you will have more than one outlet within 10 feet of each other. When considered that you are at your desk with a lamp, laptop charger, and fan, you are already at three electrical devices that need power in one place. Don't bring a power strip with a 50-foot cord. Your room is not that big and it is a fire hazard to leave it coiled up.
2. Laundry clips
Some articles of clothing don't hang on to the hanger very well. Snack bags can be too big to consume in one sitting. Laundry clips keep things on the hanger and keep food staying fresh and clean.
3. Post-its
Post-its are a necessity for taking notes on a reading, marking essential pages of notes and keeping track of quotes to use in an essay.
4. Flashlight
If you are living in a residence hall or apartment without a backup generator, a flashlight is a must-have. You don't want to be fumbling in the dark if the power goes out at night. A flashlight is also useful for going out at night.
5. First aid supplies (thermometer, bandages and OTC medications)
There is no nurse's office in college. You simply aren't going to go to the doctor's office for a minor cut or illness. Bandages are a must have since scrapes and cuts are always inevitable over the course of a year. Having a thermometer, some allergy medication, pain/fever reducer on hand is very useful when the seasons and temperatures start to change.
6. Disinfectant wipes
The average desk has more germs than a toilet seat. Wipes keep you desk, chair and counters spotless.
7. Travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer
It's useful when you are eating outside. Hand sanitizer should only be used sparingly since it can also kill the good bacteria on your skin.
8. Ethernet cable
If your apartment or dorm room only has wired coverage or you have a computer without wireless capability, then you will need an ethernet cable for internet on your computer.
9. Hand-held or mini vacuum cleaner (only one per room)
Your room will collect dusk and get dirty after a while, so vacuuming is necessary. Unless you have an apartment, you won't need or have space for a full sized vacuum cleaner. Handheld and mini vacuums are easy to use and don't take up much space. You should talk to your roommate before getting one since only one is needed for a dorm room.
10. Apple corer-slicer or fruit peeler
Fruit at the dining hall isn't always peeled or sliced. Slicing hard fruit such as apples and pears keeps your teeth straight.
11. Dental floss
Flossing makes the biggest difference between healthy and unhealthy teeth and gumlines.
12. Beach towel
Beach towels can keep you warm on mildly chilly days and are useful when you want to relax outside.
13. Command strips
They allow you to hang stuff with damaging any surfaces.
14. Tiny screwdriver
You never know when something will need repair.
