A helpful list to make sure you have what you need during your Dorm Year!
Shower/Bathroom Supplies – Remember, chances are you’re probably using a communal restroom and shower, so keep that in mind when shopping for these supplies. Some key items should include: toiletry bag, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, shower slippers (you don’t want to be in public showers with your bare feet), and a towel.
Bedding – This is an obvious one. Unless you go to a bougie university that provides all of this for you, you’re not going to want to forget this. Unless you don’t mind just sleeping on a naked mattress!
Laundry Basket – The shared dorm rooms are typically not that big. The last thing your roommate, or roommates, would want is your smelly ass clothes scattered all over the floor. A laundry basket can help hide your smelly ass clothes and make the room look more tidy.
Laundry Detergent – This is very important! I noticed that a lot of freshmen living in the dorms forget how essential this is because they’re not used to doing their own laundry. Do not forget this! If you’re not used to doing your own laundry and don’t know how to measure how much detergent to use per laundry load, I suggest buying Tide Pods. You just throw a pod in with your laundry load and you should be good to go!
Clothes Hangers – This is very important when it comes to having a clean room. Don’t be the person with piles of clothes sitting around the floors of your shared dorm room. This will definitely annoy your roommate. Also, if you just keep your clothes sitting around in piles, this can lead to you having wrinkly shirts and that’s definitely not a cool look.
Air Freshener – The small dorm rooms are bound to smell and get stuffy. Make sure to keep the windows open and to have a nice smelling air freshener on deck. Febreze is a good choice when looking for air fresheners and it seems to be the most popular as well!
Desk Chair – Chances are, your dorm room will probably come with a chair for your desk, but they might be old and literally a pain in the ass to sit on. If you want to be safe, bring your own chair or maybe a seat cushion!
A Big Reusable Water Bottle – Your Freshman year is bound to be a very social one! You’re probably going to be out late at night partying and having fun with your friends! This can easily lead to you forgetting to stay hydrated. However, if you have a cool water bottle with you, this will encourage you to keep drinking!
Vacuum or a Swiffer – There’s a good chance that the dorm staff will have these available for you to borrow, but if they don’t, make sure to buy yourself one of these! You don’t want to have a dirty floor.
Power Strip – Trust me, this is a must. You’re going to have a lot of things to plug in. Whether that be your room lamp/s, laptop, iPad, or your phone, your life will be a lot easier with one or two of these!
Yourself – Lastly, remember, you will be living in this room for a year! Make sure you bring everything that makes you comfortable and happy. Bring your 3 Justin Bieber posters. Bring your 7 stuffed animals. Bring whatever makes you feel at home because this will indeed be your home!