So when it came time to shop for freshman dorm stuff I was lost. I met up with my soon-to-be roommate and some would say we might have gone a little crazy. Target’s beautiful soul helped so much. Just a little FYI, Target does allow you to have a registry for college and yes I do recommend it. Also, try to coordinate with your roommate. You live in such a small space that it would look so terrible if y’all are polar opposites on what you have.
1. Mattress Topper
Ever been to summer camp? Yeah, those are the mattresses they give you to live on for nine months. I bought a four-inch memory foam mattress topper and let me tell you that thing was comfy and I took so many beautiful naps on it.
2. Memory Foam Rug
Yes, it is worth the extra money. They are so soft. Yes, Target does have them.
3. ONE Comforter
OK, so I may have gone a lot of crazy here and bought four and sold one before I even took it to college. In the end I took a total of three. One was used for a month, the other maybe two months, and the last one was a quilt that I’m currently still using, so it's six months and counting. I recommend the whole quilt route because it was so soft, but also so light. What I’m really trying to say is only buy one and then maybe a throw blanket to nap with.
4. Two Lamps
One for your nightstand or dresser and one for your desk. The desk one should probably be a little dimmer because if you are like me and like to do homework at night you don’t want to keep your roommate up. You probably will anyways, but the dimmer the better. I also added pink Christmas lights (which aren’t allowed) but they were enough light to do homework and dim enough that they didn’t keep my amazing roomie up.
5. Hangers
OMG YOU NEED A MILLION HANGERS. They don’t give you enough dresser space for all of your t-shirt collection to fit plus your other clothes. I swear I kept having to buy more and more hangers. That could also be because I joined a sorority and we constantly have t-shirts.
6. Storage Containers
You know the ones with drawers? Those are the ones you need. They help so much with keeping your stuff organized. I had one for clothes and one for anything and everything else.
7. Pictures
Pictures of your dog, your family, your friends, your house. Just have pictures of everything. When you get homesick, I promise they help.
8. Decorations
Make your little space as homey as you can make it. That is your home for now. If you have any intentions of going Greek though, I wouldn’t buy too much stuff for the walls. You typically get spoiled by your big.
9. Towels
You need at least two. I had four and that really just made me do laundry less often. Oops. So you can survive with two. I also bought one of those towel wraps from target and it was definitely worth my money. Highly recommended.
10. Cleaning Supplies
Clorox wipes, Windex, vacuum, and maybe a broom. You have to clean up after yourself. No one else is gonna do it for you. If you don’t then your roommate will definitely hate you. I think mine might have hated me for cleaning too much and making my bed every single day, but that’s OK.
11. Miscellaneous Items
(I spelled that word all on my own.) A cup, bowl, and a plate. You should probably get a fork and a spoon too. Febreeze is always good too. My scentsy was nice as long as you remember to change the wax out. Don’t forget your hygiene stuff and things like that. COMMAND STRIPS. The list goes on y’all.
OK, so in reality this is nowhere near every single thing you need. You’re gonna need so much stuff it’s unreal. You are moving away from home for the first time and basically starting out with nothing. Not to scare you or anything. Hopefully you all have perfect roommates like I did, and if so everything will be perfectly OK for you! If not, may the odds be ever in your favor.
