Every year on move in day, thousands of college students will settle into their dorm rooms, feel at ease, and then realize that they forgot to bring an essential item with them to school. I’m here to prevent that from happening.

Mattress Pad

One thing every college student knows and knows well is that the beds provided in the dorms are only there for functionality. Basically, I’m trying to say they’re uncomfortable and need some extra padding in the nicest possible way.

Speaker

Unless you want to be playing music off of your laptop or phone for an entire year, I would invest in a nice Bluetooth speaker for the room. With a nice enough speaker, it can get pretty loud too, so respect your neighbors. Remember, those walls are paper thin.

Fan(s) or an A/C Unit

Ah, the first thing I discovered as a freshman. Get. Fans. Our room didn’t have its own air conditioning unit, so it took about five fans, but it worked. Nothing is worse than being uncomfortably sweaty and hot in your own room, especially when you’re trying to sleep. If your school allows it, buy a portable A/C unit. It makes a big difference, trust me.

Hamper

Dorm rooms can get pretty messy, but don’t throw your clothes everywhere like a savage. Get a simple pop up hamper and dump the day’s laundry in there. I suggest getting one with a separating compartment for whites and darks. It has saved me a lot of time when doing laundry.

Phone/Laptop Charger

This one is pretty self explanatory, but I really can’t think of anything worse than leaving your house, getting on a plane or in a car, moving in, then forgetting your charger.

Power Surge

Chances are you have about four outlets in your room, but 40 electronics to plug in. Get a safe power surge and charge everything you own at once, because you can.

Shower Sandals

Probably the most essential item on this list, shower sandals are a must. I’m not the biggest germaphobe, but something about stepping into a shower that 80+ people have stepped in kind of disgusts me. Get a pair of regular sandals, then relegate your old pair that you never wear anymore as your shower saviors.

Air Fresheners

No matter how long you avoid this topic, it is inevitable. Your room will smell. Whether it's old food, laundry that hasn’t been done, or even worse things - it will smell. Getting an air freshener keeps the room smelling less like a zoo, which is always good.