I think it is safe to say that thinking about college is exhilarating, to say the least. From finding out who your new roommate will be to figuring out what things you should bring to college… it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement. While you'll probably get consumed with YouTube tutorials and Pinterest projects, coming up with ideas to make your dorm room look better than the rest— there are a few essential items you'll need to bring to college with you that you might overlook.
1. Rolling laundry basket
This saved my life when it came to doing laundry ALL the way in the dorm basement. Trust me it's much easier to roll your 3-week-old laundry than to carry it.
2. Bookends for your desk
You will need these to safely store your $1,000 textbooks!
3. Mini stapler
Keep this in your bag at all times. My freshman year high school English teacher told us to buy one of these and I still have mine. Can I tell you how many times this has saved my life? Sometimes you forget to staple your papers and SO MANY professors take off points or don't even accept unstapled papers. Plus, you'll be a hero when you have a stapler and the kids around you are freaking out about how to attach their paper before the deadline that is in two minutes.
4. Sturdy umbrella
I cannot tell you how many times I have witnessed someone's umbrella flip inside out during the days when you have to walk to class in a tsunami. It's worth the money to save yourself some embarrassment of being THAT person.
5. Clorox wipes
Germs. That's all I gotta say.
6. Blackout curtains
You will want/need these on the mornings you can actually sleep in. No sun shines brighter than in a dorm room.
7. Mattress cover
Three words. Bed bug protector.
8. Shower shoes
If you go to a college where you share a bathroom with everyone in your hall you will NEED shower shoes. You don't want to get a fungus on your foot.
9. Snacks
Once the cafeteria closes down and you're up either cramming for a test or binging Netflix you will want your own favorite snacks!
10. Fan
For when you can't control those dorm room temperatures a fan is a must.
11. Wrinkle release spray
Let's be honest... Who is actually going to iron their clothes? LOL.
12. Tide To Go pen
This has saved my life a million times. I'm a VERY clumsy person who always spills things, and I probably used this pen at least ten times. When you get pizza on your pillow, iced tea on your bedding, a stain on your sweater… This is perfect for getting small stains out of almost any fabric. You're not going to want to (or be able to) throw everything in the laundry. Sometimes you just gotta clean one spot.
13. Plastic utensils
Buy plastic utensils for the nights you eat easy mac or the mornings you make oatmeal. Trust me it's worth it. Sometimes you're too on the go to eat at the caf.