Dorm room, residence hall…call it what you will, you are going to be living there for at least one year (if not all four!) – so bring on the dorm room necessities (and the dorm roommate!) with what we consider dorm must haves! Here’s exactly what you need to bring to your college dorm, you know, to make your freshman dorm room feel a little more like home (and definitely more livable). Now – on to the dorm room packing list!
kiwikewlio / Jen Watson
Safety First: Don’t forget the first aid kit! Mom won’t be around to fluff your pillows and pump you full of hot tea with honey the next time you have the sniffles. Cold remedies, band-aids, aspirin, and a thermometer are just a few health-related items you might want to bring when your health fails.
Little Black Book: Some days you just want to hear a familiar voice. Take along an address book with all the numbers and addresses from your cell phone — and then some! Get mom and dad’s help before you head off to college to make sure you have everyone in there. It’s a good idea anyway, just in case your cell phone gets run over/lost/wet/stolen so you can stay in touch easily with family and friends.
Fire drills happen: You may love your ratty PJs with the big holes all over but you’ll probably want something non-embarrassing to throw on – particularly if you go to school in a cooler climate and it’s the middle of winter! You might want to keep a robe handy to throw on “just in case.”
Got Snacks: Pulling an all-nighter is tough, pulling an all-nighter on an empty stomach is almost impossible! Who can concentrate over the sound of a growling belly, anyway? Bring along easy to heat and store items. It’s definitely a dorm must have — just don’t forget the forks, spoons, and containers!
Blah and Boring: Yeah, those glaring white cinderblock walls are less than exciting to look at. Liven up your otherwise drab dorm room with posters, wall art, wind chimes, decorative lights, or whatever else your creative little mind can come up with! Just make sure to follow the dorm or residence halls rules regarding how you attach items to the walls (as well as what the forbidden items are) – a bunch of big holes in the walls mean money coming out of your pocket at the end of the year to fix them!
Tiffy-doodle / Tiffany Nevin
Communication 101: Do you and your roommate see so little of each other you aren’t even sure what they look like? Keep in touch (and keep the peace) – easily relay messages with a dry erase board or chalkboard. College life will keep you busy – don’t miss a minute because you forgot to write it down!
Flip-flops: Not just a fashion statement – these babies are multi-versatile. Great for a middle of the night fire drill, a day at the beach or pool, or for navigating through the dreaded dorm shower!
Food Storage: In a tight space like your dorm room, keeping the clutter contained as much as possible is one very good way to ensure a peaceful coexistence with your roommate – and to make sure you don’t lose anything super important! Consider using dorm space savers like storage bins or drawers for items like food, utensils, and containers.
Chill Out: Is any piece of dorm room furniture so cherished as the dorm mini fridge? We think not! Keep healthy snacks on hand (and help avoid the freshman 15) with a dorm room mini fridge. Check with your college to see if they make you rent them on-site through a college partnership or if you can lug in your own – and don’t forget to double-check the max size allowed!
Related posts:
- Dorm Room Survival Tips or How to Get Along With Your College Roommate
- The College Packing List: 10 Essential Items for Dorm Living
- At Home in the Halls at Barnard College or An Inside Look at Dorm Life
- On-campus Living: Home Away from Home Trials, Tribulations and Fun
- Arizona State University Simplifies the Dorm Move-In Process
Tags: agnes scott college, College Life, dorm life, dorm living, dorm room, dormitory, packing for college, packing list
Flip flops are definitely a must! I also used them as rain boots (which might also be a good thing to get!) – I just rolled up my jeans and I didn’t have to worry about getting my flip flops wet! Of course your feet do get wet, but it’s much better than wet, soggy sneakers if you don’t have rain boots.
[...] you are probably overwhelmed not just by the price of college, but of all the college extras, like dorm necessities and textbooks. Do you want to cut down on the cost of [...]
[...] process. There’s a mass of students roaming around the dorms, everyone is carrying their most essential dorm room items in and out, and the traffic alone can be more than a little hairy (especially when you don’t [...]
[...] a bit more confident about the college housing process as a whole. Now, if only you can figure out what to take to college (or at least narrow down your massive college packing list), you’ll be doing fine! Watch How to [...]