6. Disinfectant wipes | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Freshman

14 Things To Remember To Bring To Your College Dorm This Year

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.

590
College dorm desk and bed
Zijun Xu

In This Article:

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1329
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less
Bob's Burgers
Hyannishyball

First of all, there is no shortage of fun when you're together.

And you often find yourselves entertaining each others terrible ideas.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The Unwritten Rules Of "Talking"

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

9194
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments