Move in day has arrived and you either followed Bed, Bath, and Beyond's college checklist to the last item, or you procrastinated all summer buying dorm supplies and only got what was necessary at the last minute. Truth be told, although you followed Bed, Bath, and Beyond's instructions, a few items that would in fact prove very useful in the coming year were not listed.
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These are the 10 items you were never told you needed in College
1. Filtered Water Bottle/Pitcher
If you live in a town like I do, the water tastes so clean and natural, that bottled water does not even compare. Going to college, I never thought the water would taste any different until my first sip felt like I had just swallowed water from a chlorinated pool. Bringing a filtered water bottle or pitcher would decrease if not eliminate the amount of harmful chemicals floating in your drinking water.
2. Crayons
If you thought the days of coloring had long gone, you will be pleasantly surprised to find days in the near future where they would become very handy. You never know what professor is going to have you create some type of artistic presentation to convey an assignment, so it is best to have a set on hand. If you do not end up using them for academic purposes, you could always relax with a little coloring as it is said to be the next form of therapy for adults.
3. Poster Board
Aside from the possibility of needing crayons, you may have a few professors who want you to create visual presentations on poster. I had this happen to me for three separate assignment, in fact, one of the assignment asked for multiple posters. If you do not end up using this poster paper, you could always use it to cheer your school on at the next sporting event or at your friends next performance.
4. Real Utensils
Bring a small set of utensils, knives, forks and spoons. On those late nights when you and your roommates have Chinese Food delivered to your dorm, you will quickly find that the utensils given with the meal are not always the best. Which is why, it is best to have your own set so that you can actually cut into your steamed dumplings.
5. Decent Sized Fan
No matter what, department stores are always trying to sell off the tiny desk fans as the optimal way for cooling off your dorm. Do not fall into this trap. Move in day is hot, sweaty, and smelly just like the month to come and then some. That tiny fan cannot even cool off a small dog let alone a fully grown human. This is why you need to purchase a decent size fan. It will create optimal cooling for not only your left toe, but for the whole room.
6. Freezer
If your dorm allows it and it is financially possible, purchase a mini-fridge that also has a separate freezer on top. There will be many times where you and a bunch of friends will go and buy Ben&Jerry's only to find you cannot properly store the ice cream once it has been bought. Spare the melted ice cream and invest in a freezer.
7. Ice Cube Trays
This will only work if you have a freezer. but if you do, buy ice cube trays. Ice cubes will not only come in handy when cooling off drinks but also in medical situations when a friend has fallen ill both figuratively and literally.
8. HDMI-Chord
If your dorm has a lounge or if one of your roommates brings a television that is HDMI-compatible, invest in an HDMI chord. Not only can you use it for watching fun, YouTube videos when hooking up your laptop to the TV, but you can also watch movies.
9. Printer Cable
If you bought yourself a printer for your dorm, (which I highly recommend investing in one) which you thought you were so clever because it was wireless, think again. Your school may not allow wireless printers, therefore it would be best to invest in a printer cable.
10. Lamp
This one may be a no brainer if you live in a building like mine, dorms with no lighting in them. Therefore, if you want light besides sunlight, it is a necessity to buy a lamp.
