What You Actually Need to Bring to College

What You Actually Need to Bring to College

Madison LaVoy

July 24th 2021

There are a ton of lists out there telling you what you should and shouldn’t bring to college. With all of that information out there, it’s hard to figure out what you should actually be packing. As a recent college grad, I’ve come up with the perfect list of 10 must-haves for your college dorm!

1. A Mattress Pad

The college dorm beds are not very cozy, so a mattress pad is a must-have for your dorm.

2. Extension Cords

Most dorm rooms don’t have many outlets, so extension cords are a must. Extension cords are perfect to make sure you have enough outlets for all of your devices.

3. Command hooks and strips

Command hooks are perfect to hang all things on your dorm room walls and doors without damage!

4. Shower Shoes

In most freshman dorms you will be using communal bathrooms, so to make sure your feet stay fungus free shower shoes are a must.

5. Cleaning supplies

Your dorms are bound to get super dirty, so making sure that you have some cleaning supplies is vital! A little vacuum and some Clorox wipes are perfect for keeping your dorm room nice and clean.

6. A Planner

Many people may suggest that you get a whiteboard calendar to keep track of all your assignments, but in my experience, it said September up top for the whole first semester. A better alternative to keep track of all your assignments is a planner. This planner can travel with you all over campus, which is much more accessible than a whiteboard stuck on your dorm room wall.

7. Lamps

This one might seem a little random, but I was so thankful that I packed a lamp the first time I moved into a dorm. The lighting in the dorms can be cold and harsh or just straight up terrible. Lamps with warmer bulbs can make the room feel more homey!

8. Fans

Dorms get very very hot and some schools do not have any air conditioning in the dorm buildings. Box fans, oscillating fans, or even a small fan the hooks onto the side of your desk/bed are perfect to keep you cool in those toasty dorm rooms.

9. Storage

Storage is a must, but it’s also important to be smart when buying storage for your dorm. Plastic drawers are perfect for storing extra clothes, towels, sheets or really anything and they usually fit perfectly under your dorm bed. Storage stools are also perfect as the double as storage and as an extra seat!

10. Poo-Pourri

It can feel like a big change going from using your bathroom at home to communal dorm bathroom. Poo-Pourri masks the smell which can help make you feel a little more comfortable when using the bathroom.