Move in day is less than a month away, and college students will be (or already are) flocking to stores like Walmart, Target, and Bed, Bath & Beyond to get everything they will need for their dorm rooms and for school. And honestly, this is one of my favorite times of the year. To me, it's like Christmas and your birthday rolled into one, back-to-school shopping extravaganza! But why else do I love this time of year? Well...

1. You get to buy stuff. Lots of stuff.

You never really know what you'll need, and looking at different packing lists can be overwhelming due to the sheer amount of stuff on those lists. However, I love shopping. A lot. And if you make a list of all the things you'll need to buy, shopping will be a breeze! Then, when you get home, you'll be surrounded by all your purchases, just like a kid on Christmas! All of the shopping that comes with college back-to-school is really fun when you know what you need.

2. You get to decide how to decorate your new room.

Moving into a college dorm means you get to decorate and set up your new space however you want to. I love to decorate and organize, so moving into a new space is always lots of fun. You can pick out different pieces around a theme, or pieces that are just cool, and you can make your room whatever you want it to be! Being able to choose exactly how you want to decorate your room is also a bit of freedom before you head off to college. You could make your room similar to the one you're leaving behind at home, or you could make it completely different. Make this new room your own, however you want it to be.

3. You become a packing and organizational master!

Or at least you try to be one! Moving to a new place can be scary, but for me, knowing that all of my new stuff was organized and packed helped to alleviate the stress of moving eight hours from home. I have a lot of different containers that all of my stuff fits in, and there are labels everywhere so I know where everything is and where to pack it at the end of the year. Having all these new things for college forces you to learn how to pack, in whatever way you find easiest for you.

There are several items that I think are essential to a college dorm room and that you may want to get before heading off to school. Here they are:

1. A mattress pad and topper.

School mattresses are the not the same as your mattress at home. At. All. You want to be comfortable when you're away from home, so get yourself a mattress pad and topper to make your bed super comfy!

2. A desk shelf.

That's right, a desk shelf! This has saved me for the past two years when if comes to desk clutter. Mine has multiple shelves and compartments where I store everything from school supplies to my toothbrush. Also, having everything at an easy access point is really nice!

3. Bins!

These make packing for school and storing items under your bed super easy! I can keep larger, bulkier items in these bins, and the bins are out of sight under my bed. They are a great option for storage in a dorm room.

4. Another light source.

And I mean other than a desk lamp. A light source you can have on when you don't really want to have the main light on, since the fluorescent lighting can be harsh. Some people get floor lamps, while some (like me) have strings of Christmas lights on the wall. Whatever you choose, an alternative light source is a must!

I hope this article was helpful to those moving into a college dorm this year, and fun for those of us who have already done it!