1. Good pair of head phones--the kind that allow you to play your music/watch tv as loud as you want without others having to listen, too. You're neighbors--and especially your roommate--will appreciate this. 2. Plain white tooth paste. It's the cheapest and best smelling mortar you can get to fill in all those little pin holes you weren't suppose to make. 3. Giant piece of blank paper (eg: tag board) and multiple colors of markers nearby to write down the funny/strange/insightful things you and your friends say. It's an amazing time capsule of your year and a great piece of wall art... just make sure your markers don't bleed through.
1. Laptop lock: you can get them at just about any tech store. It protects your computer from being taken out of your dorm. 2. Tape!: You always need it an NEVER have it! 3. Febreeze: For when your roommate stops doing their laundry. :)
Life in a dorm is going to be a lot different then living with mom and dad. To me the most important thing in my dorm room was my bed. I did everything on it from sleep to study so I would suggest getting a soft durable comforter and plenty of pillows. The next most important thing for me was my lamp. Many dorms have poor lighting and are not really conducive to studying. Make sure you get a good desk lamp or bed-clip lamp and maybe even a floor lamp if you like a lot of light! The third most important thing for me where my flip-flops for the shower. Sharing a bathroom and shower with an average of 30 guys/girls just isn't all that appealing. Make sure you have a cheap pair of flip-flops to wear in the shower.
There are many things a good dorm room must have. One is a chest that locks. This way you can store your valuables without fearing that somebody might steal them. Another thing to have are bins that are stored under your bed. These will offer a clutter-free solution to storing your items. Finally, you should have a lamp. This will ensure that you can still do work without disturbing your roommate.
My must haves would be a microwave, refrigerator, and a TV. Also I have to throw this in, if your dorm doesn't have ac a fan is a must have. I would also go out and say cleaning supplies. Every dorm is different and some of these come with the room. I know that no room comes with a tv or cleaning supplies.
I lived in a dorm first year and would never trade the time there however, it is very different living in a dorm than at home or even in your own place. My top three must have would start with slippers for late night wandering, when you need KD at 2 am or to slip into after a night out and your feet need a break but you still want to hang out in 'that guys' room with everyone on your floor and do jello shooters. The second must have would be fantastic sheets and blankets, when your bed is the only place in you room for relaxing you want it to be fabulous. Finally a house coat cause walking around a shared bathroom on a coed floor in only towel is risky business!
(1) Really good mattress pad - don't be stingy! The good ones can be expensive but they're definitely necessary. (2) VGA/HDMI cable for your TV/computer. You won't have time to watch cable, but you'll certainly want to watch TV shows with your friends via Hulu or Netflix. (3) Little ottomans or bean-bag chairs for people to sit on - guaranteed way to make sure people hang out in your room.
I couldn't live without my armchair pillow - I use it on my bed when studying or reading. A microfridge is really important too - I bring food back from the dining hall, and make tea, mac and cheese, and oatmeal in my microwave all the time. Also, make sure you have extra underbed and closet storage, especially if you have a lot of clothes - dorms usually have limited space, so closet rod doublers, shoe racks and extra bins for sweatshirts are really helpful.
Times have changed a lot since I went but if it's permissible a microwave would be one of the three-if not, get a hot pot (if that's what they're called), a little pot that can make soup, noodles, etc. You also need a refrigerator and a good sense of respect for your roommate.
The three must haves to survive college would probably be noise cancellation headphones, I know I hate being disturbed while I'm trying to do homework, a rice cooker... you would be surprise that eating the same foods in the cafeteria is tiring and sometimes like in my college you only get fed twice over the weekends so you want to have that rice cooker for anything... it is amazing... last but not least, I would have to say to bring an alarm clock... it's one of the basic necessities to get up ^_^
1.) Microwave- luckily my dorm had one but this can come very useful when eating your Ramen (which you will most likely be eating from time to time) or mac & cheese or any food that you can stock up that is microwavable. 2.)Flips flops for the shower! Even if your dorm room has a connecting/shared bathroom, you should still consider getting flip flops. The community showers at my dorm is not that bad (they clean it twice a day) but still, who knows how well they clean and what bacteria lies there! Invest in this! 3.)A nice soft mattress pad- my mattress was very "firm"(I'm using firm in a very loose sense) If it wasn't for my mattress pad, then it would feel like sleeping on the floor.
There really isn't anything you "have" to have in your dorm. Your school will provide everything you need. That being said, there are things that will make your dorm life easier. First off, be sure to speak with your future roommate to make sure to coordinate any overlap! No use buying something if they have something you can use. Microwave - This can be really useful for late night snacks/meals when any dining halls are closed. Ramen / Easy Mac / popcorn can get you through many a late night study session. Rug - This is especially crucial if you have tiled floor. if not, it still helps give you a clean layer between your bare feet and whoever else has lived in your dorm room! Lofts - If you have a shared room, if you can fit lofts they're super helpful. You can put your desks under the lofts and leave yourself with some extra room. Or, what I did - I had a loft and put a futon underneath which we used as a couch for hanging out / watching tv / playing video games. Made it feel much more homey. Really, I'd advice you to not spend much before you get there. Spend a few weeks and see what you really miss. Then get those "must haves." Good luck!
A comfortable bed is a must. Its a style statement and its where you have full control on how comfortable and neat you want it to be. Another is a toaster. Toast is a quick and tasty snack. Another must is food that you will actually want to eat. Don't buy food just because its healthy. Buy things you will eat and not waste.
A must have in a dorm room is a refrigerator if your dorm allow it. This will enable you to buy a variety of foods and snacks for those late college nights. Another must have are storage bins that you can store under your bed. Dorms are small as it is, these storage units will save you space. The last thing you should have is a power strip. Dorm rooms don't come with that many plugs, this enables that you will have enough sockets to fill your electronic needs.
A rug! Dorm room's rarely have decent floors. Swiffer - wet and dry, they can help clean floors and just about every other surface. Downy wrinkle releaser - let's face it, we don't do our laundry like our mom's and this can be a life saver. Similarly, Febreeze takes care of a multitude of sins!
If you have roommate, number one is probably earplugs. If you're the studious type, you may not be able to get anything done in the noise of a typical dorm. Second, I would go with a computer. Yes, most dorms have computer labs these days, but they're often completely occupied and noisy. Last, I would go with a microwave and hot plate (if permitted). Food choices are limited enough already. You might as well take the food preparation appliances allowed.
The first must-have would be a laptop for doing homework and communicating with others. The second must-have is extra food for times when you might be especially in need of a snack. The third must-have would be plenty of extra school supplies because chances are that you will run out quickly.
Number one is a microwave. Most students eat out, but microwaves are good for reheating leftovers. Number 2 is a desk of your own. Some dorms already have a desk in them, but if you have to share it, you're going to suffer. Number 3 is a laptop. a laptop can be taken anywhere and are very convenient in college. Just remember to lock it up or have it hidden somewhere conspicuous.
My top 3 dorm must haves are a laptop, a cellphone and a credit card. The laptop is essentially for everything school-based and the cellphone is to keep in touch with your family. The credit card is the big one - it's the best way to build credit as student cards are much, much easier to come by. Just be aware of the high interest rates (up to 30% APR), so spend a little each month and always pay off the balance in full to avoid interest/late charges.
The first must-have would be a laptop for doing homework and communicating with others. The second must-have is extra food for times when you might be especially in need of a snack. The third must-have would be plenty of extra school supplies because chances are that you will run out quickly.
I lived in a dorm first year and would never trade the time there however, it is very different living in a dorm than at home or even in your own place. My top three must have would start with slippers for late night wandering, when you need KD at 2 am or to slip into after a night out and your feet need a break but you still want to hang out in 'that guys' room with everyone on your floor and do jello shooters. The second must have would be fantastic sheets and blankets, when your bed is the only place in you room for relaxing you want it to be fabulous. Finally a house coat cause walking around a shared bathroom on a coed floor in only towel is risky business!
Number one is a microwave. Most students eat out, but microwaves are good for reheating leftovers. Number 2 is a desk of your own. Some dorms already have a desk in them, but if you have to share it, you're going to suffer. Number 3 is a laptop. a laptop can be taken anywhere and are very convenient in college. Just remember to lock it up or have it hidden somewhere conspicuous.
My top 3 dorm must haves are a laptop, a cellphone and a credit card. The laptop is essentially for everything school-based and the cellphone is to keep in touch with your family. The credit card is the big one - it's the best way to build credit as student cards are much, much easier to come by. Just be aware of the high interest rates (up to 30% APR), so spend a little each month and always pay off the balance in full to avoid interest/late charges.
It's important that your room be a place that you can happily "get away from it all." I would strongly recommend getting a rug for the floor of your dorm room. Rugs do a lot to warm up a room and make it feel like home. I also suggest a mattress pad since most dorm mattresses don't offer good support. Another item you should have in the room would be a towel rack. Leaving towels hanging in the bathroom isn't always the best environment for drying and can create mold.
1. Laundry Bag/Hamper- There is nothing worse than a small space with clothes everywhere! 2. Storage/Bookshelf/anything that will give you space to put things- Dorms are small and even smaller when you move all of your things in so the more storage, the better. 3. Headphones- you don't always want to hear what your roommate is doing.
Number one, I need my microwave. I have classes during dinner two nights a week, so I make cup'o'noodles a lot. I don't think I'd be alright without my microwave. Number two, my mini-fridge. It kind of goes alongside my microwave. I love having juice cold in my room, and having frozen burritos is great too. Number three, a cork-board. Like the ones you see in classrooms or at public buildings where there are bulletin boards. Having a cork-board that I can pin things onto has saved me more than once. I have mine over my desk in my dorm room, and when I'm sitting there I'll look up and see an assignment pinned up there that I had completely forgot I had to do. I think it's an uncommon dorm accessory, but I feel it's a "must-have" for me.
Alright, you are going to think I'm crazy. First thing, alarm clock. Duh, right? Yes, but you will be amazed how many college students over sleep because they are still waiting for Mommy and Daddy to come wake them up out of bed. Second thing, a family picture. Yes. As much as you want to grow up and leave, at some point you will begin to miss the your little snot nosed kid brother; and when that moment comes, it's comforting to have a picture to look at. Third, your own computer. It seems that everyone has one now, but do not borrow your roomates computer or let them borrow your's. It will only lead to anger and frustration.