When I moved into my dorm freshman year, I thought I had overpacked every necessity possible for the year, but when school started and time went on, I realized there were some things that would have made the year easier.
If you're stuck on what to bring or not bring and are looking for advice concerning items you might need for your future dorm, consider buying or bringing these items for a smoother freshman year.
1. Printer
Every night before an assignment was due (hard copy), I had anxiety about how I was going to print it due to the overcrowding at the library and possible jams that could set me back. I usually paid friends with printers to use theirs and always wished I had my own. A printer in college is crucial, especially since many professors require paper documents, and having one of your own will save you a lot of stress throughout the year.
2. Television
A TV is not a dorm room necessity, but if you want to make more friends your first year, having a form of entertainment invites more people to hang out in your room. I did not have a TV for the first couple months of college and when I finally got one, movie nights, watch parties, and hangouts occurred more often in my dorm. Having a TV did not make or break any friendships, but it provided some fun nights when there was nothing else to do.
3. Storage
I bought one storage container, thinking it would suffice for most of my closet, but organizing my clothes in a small space became a disaster. The dresser in my dorm room was packed full of everything that couldn't fit in the storage container beneath my bed, making outfit selections harder than they needed to be. There is a lot of space under dorm beds and getting as many storage containers will allow for a more organized and clutter-free dorm.
4. Spare change and Tide pods.
Doing laundry in college is expensive, every load being $1.75, so pack your piggy banks to have an easy way to pay without racking up money on your card. The first time I did laundry in college, the machines were a mess due to students trying to use liquid detergents and while everyone eventually switched over to Tide pods, the messes and stickiness could have been prevented. If you are looking for the easiest method to do laundry in college, spare change and Tide pods will come in handy.
5. Snacks
Although meal plans are a great way to get cooked food, having a stash of snacks in your dorm room at all times will save your hungry stomach at midnight when you are studying or just hanging out. I spent way too much money on Postmates freshman year because my appetite always kicked in when the cafeteria had closed for the night. If you don't want to spend too much money outside of your meal plan, getting a good amount of snacks to munch on is a great idea.
Moving into a dorm means sharing a small room with another person and having a lot less space. These are the items I wish I would have bought from the start of my freshman year because school and academics should be the only stress-inducing event you need to worry about in a dorm room.
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